OCC to hold public meeting on student housing

Orange Coast College in Costa Mesa will host a community meeting at 6 p.m. Thursday to discuss the possibility of building student housing, including quarters for married people.

In fall 2013, an outside consulting firm was hired to study the demand and feasibility of creating student housing on the community college campus. Associates at Brailsford & Dunlavey, a national firm dedicated to managing new construction and renovation projects, began a series of student surveys and interviews on the subject.

“At different times, the discussion of student housing has been brought up, but this is the first time we’ve made a significant effort to have it studied,” said Doug Bennett, OCC’s executive director of college advancement.

According to Bennett, the firm believes there is enough demand to warrant 800 to 1,800 beds on campus. A representative of the firm is expected to be at the meeting, which will also focus on

the possible expansion of the campus’ student union complex.

“Student housing will change the dynamic on campus,” Bennett said. “For one, there will be more student life activities. We’ll talk about adding services at our student union like expanded meeting rooms for clubs.”

Other campus modifications such as extending library hours and providing food services seven days a week will be considered.

If the district approves the construction plans, OCC would be the first community college in Orange County to offer student housing.

The meeting will be held in Room 108 of the campus administration building.

—Alex Chan