By Sol Garay |
On Wednesday, November 8th 2023, The Riverside Community College District (RCCD) and the University of California, Riverside (UCR) held a groundbreaking ceremony for the RCCD/UCR Joint North District Phase 2 housing project. RCCD Chancellor Wolde-Ab Isaac, RCC President Claire Oliveros, UCR Chancellor Kim Wilcox, Riverside Mayor Patricia Lock-Dawson and State Assemblymembers Sabrina Cervantes and Corey Jackson were all in attendance.
WHAT it means
Thanks to California Governor Gavin Newsom and Assembleymember Sabrina Cervantes, an additional $126 million in funding will go towards the anticipated $340 million project. This housing project will provide 1,568 beds in North District Phase 2. This collaborative effort aims to enhance housing opportunities and help streamline the transition into the UC system for all RCCD students.
WHEN it will be open
The housing project aims to be completed and occupied by the summer of 2025.
WHERE it will be located
The brand new complex is planned to be built on the intersection of Canyon Crest Drive and Linden Street and is set to include two buildings, parking, a park, and a recreational field.
WHY this matters
RCCD Chancellor Wolde-Ab Isaac stated “Just this past year, 20% of community college students and 10% of four-year students reported being homeless at some point during the 2022 academic year. Today’s groundbreaking ceremony is unique in many ways, not only because a community college and a UC are jointly building student housing inside the UC space…but it’s also unique because it’s meticulously and intentionally designed to break persistent, cultural and psychological barriers that many of our first-generation student’s experience.” This effort is extremely important at removing barriers from students who want to attend a 4-year university. The planned housing units will be evenly distributed between UCR and RCCD students. RCCD students will also be able to use all of the campus amenities including food halls, recreational facilities, and more. They will even have their own student ID for Campus. This marks an incredible opportunity for those who plan on attending a 4-year university after RCCD.
