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Sussex County Community College presents dormitory proposal to county commissioners, seeks cost estimates
Summary
College leaders told commissioners residence halls could boost retention and recruitment but said final costs and funding remain unresolved; commissioners pressed for priorities for Sussex County students, security, dining and alternatives such as reusing the county jail building.
Sussex County Community College officials presented plans on Jan. 8 to convert part of campus building E into on‑campus housing and asked the Board of County Commissioners to consider the concept while feasibility and cost estimates are completed.
The college’s presentation, led by a team including Dr. Connolly (presenter for Sussex County Community college), Vice President Corey Homer, CFO Terry Pappen and designer Chris Woolverton of HQW, outlined a proof of concept that would reconfigure Building E to provide roughly 110–115 beds, upgrade amenities and connect residential life to student supports. Woolverton said, “in total, we have a 112 beds that we could fit within this building” using the existing footprint and courtyards.
Why it matters: College leaders said on‑campus housing could blunt the college’s enrollment decline and improve retention. “First of all, 62% of our budget comes from tuition and fees,” the college presenter said, noting that enrollment drops hit the institution’s bottom line. The college cited three prior feasibility studies (NW Financial, PFIC and Brailford & Dundee) and a three‑year proof of concept partnership housing Centenary students as evidence of demand.
College…
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