Note: This story was originally published in the print edition in October.
NWACC’s campus expansion master plan is transformative in nature and carries with it a lot of changes, including introducing student housing on campus via dorms, a fundamental change. The housing developments would be concentrated in the northeastern parts of campus, roughly along the roundabout and adjacent areas.
The college’s board of trustees approved a new master plan in March, and by August, the board instructed college leaders to explore housing opportunities for its students and workforce. The plan, in its current state, seeks to fulfill that objective among others that the school has been considering.
While the design and planning process involved student input via surveys, it still seems worthwhile to check in, track, and evaluate students’ reception to the idea now that the plan is further along in development. Students interviewed expressed support toward the idea.
“I think that it would be an overall positive, and it would help more people,” said current NWACC student Zach Allen. “I think that the addition of dorms would definitely help bring more people in and make life easier.”
The plan also introduces the idea of campus dining halls. While it is still yet to be constructed, it is likely that certain dorms could house dining halls within them through mixed-use developments, among other facilities. “I think more food options on campus would be great,” said Alex Belto, also a current student.
Students also highlighted the convenience factor of dining halls being in close proximity to dorms. “I think that’d be helpful, so you don’t have to walk across the campus to go to another place to eat. So it’d just be more convenient for people,” said Matthew Castillo, another NWACC student.
Students also underscored the potential pros of the plan. One of those is that through the installation of dorms, Belto said he believes that the school would be “allowing more students the opportunity to get an education.” Castillo said that “it could help with time management and getting here faster” in reference to the campus.
College dorms are nothing new, but these developments would symbolize a fundamental shift at NWACC. While largely a commuter school currently, the school would be seeking to improve other parts of its repertoire through this undertaking, such as introducing certain new facilities and enhancing the actual experience of walking through campus.
Another aspect of the plan that goes hand in hand with student housing is furnishing the campus with community parks, trails, and pedestrian spaces. This adds to the overall convenience factor as this pedestrian-friendly atmosphere is almost necessary when discussing dorms and student housing.
Students can still be commuters at NWACC: the school would only be enhancing the lives of students who happen to be boarding. This added versatility is what students seem enthusiastic about. The school would be widening its pool of prospective students by adding in populations of students who may not be able to drive to campus every day, or who simply prefer the conveniences afforded by campus housing, as well as the camaraderie and natural environments.
Update from December 2025:
President Dennis Rittle reported to the trustees during the fall semester that a group has been meeting to explore the possibility of campus housing more fully. Under study is housing for students and for members of the workforce.
