New Housing Option
AIC makes housing available to HCC students
A new agreement between American International College and Holyoke Community College will allow HCC students who need housing to live in residence halls and apartments on the AIC campus in Springfield.
AIC President Hubert Benitez, HCC President Christina Royal, and other representatives from the two colleges will meet to sign the student housing pact on Thursday, April 27, at noon in conference room 309 in the Frost Building on the HCC campus, 303 Homestead Ave in Holyoke.
The agreement calls for AIC to discount their room rates for HCC students, making college housing available and affordable to community college students for the first time at AIC. The housing option will be available to all HCC students 18 years and older who are enrolled full or part-time and in good academic standing.
"There's no age limit," said Renee Tastad, HCC dean of Enrollment Management and assistant vice president of Student Affairs, "and students don't have to be single. If they're a couple, they can live together. Campus apartments are also a possibility, which is great. We're super excited."
HCC students who opt to live at AIC will also have access to other amenities there, including health services, the college library, laundry facilities, and a gym. A food plan and parking are also available for an additional cost.
Tastad said the AIC housing will allow HCC to expand its recruiting range of student-athletes, most of whom now live within 30 miles of campus.
"If we could recruit in New York and the eastern part of the state we could draw more athletes to our sports programs," she said.
Beyond that, she said HCC students who now live in unstable situations might also receive an advantage from living in housing at AIC, while international students could also benefit.
"We have a really hard time helping our international students find housing in the area that's safe, affordable, and within a reasonable distance of a bus line," Tastad said. "AIC offers all of that."
Tastad said HCC students could be moving into AIC housing as early as August for the fall semester, which at HCC begins In September.
"We gave them our academic calendar, and so they're adjusting all of their systems," Tastad said. "They've been really accommodating."
AIC Vice President for Student Affairs Matthew Scott is equally enthusiastic about the housing partnership."AIC is delighted to be part of the solution to the pressing housing and affordability challenges in the region by offering secure and affordable housing options to HCC students," said Scott.
"Because of this collaboration, HCC students can access not only safe and stable accommodation but also can take advantage of AIC's campus amenities and resources while pursuing their associate degree. In addition to the joint articulation agreements signed last year, this agreement is a significant milestone in strengthening the partnership between our institutions."
PHOTO: AIC campus
