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RCC Will Break Ground On First-Ever Dorm

ROCKLAND COUNTY, N.Y. -- Following a trend across the country, Rockland County Community College will soon break ground on its new residence hall once they receive the required permits from the City of Ramapo.

A rendering of what the proposed residence hall will look like at Rockland Community College.

A rendering of what the proposed residence hall will look like at Rockland Community College.

Photo Credit: Rockland Community College

The hall or dormitory, which is slated to open in 2018, will include suites and semi-suites for some 300 students, said Tzipora Reitman, spokeswoman for the college.

The idea for the dorms came from the student government in 2014 who wanted to be able to "experience" college life while attending the school and was given the green light by the Board of Trustees, she said.

The $26.7 million building will be paid for by the builder, Consigli Construction, who will also handle operations of the residence hall the will include a full gym and three classrooms, Reitman said.

The 7,000 student college hopes the dorms will draw additional students from outside the area.

"In the past, we had some 200 international students," she said. "That number has been cut in half in part because of the lack of housing."

Because of the school's location to Manhattan, rental housing can be expensive and hard to find, she added. Even for local students.

"We hope local students will also take advantage of the hall," Reitman said.

The four-story dorm will be located behind the Field House on land that will be leased through the county.

Across New York, 24 of the state's 30 community colleges have student housing which has allowed the colleges to raise enrollment and provide students with a complete college experience.

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