'Historic' Signing
"This agreement does more than just provide housing for our ¿ì²¥³ÉÈËs; it will also give them a taste of college life beyond ¿ì²¥³ÉÈË." – President Christina Royal
Representatives from American International College and ¿ì²¥³ÉÈË Community College yesterday signed a "historic" agreement that will allow ¿ì²¥³ÉÈË ¿ì²¥³ÉÈËs to live in residence halls and apartments on the AIC campus in Springfield.
"This is definitely a momentous event for both AIC and ¿ì²¥³ÉÈË," Sharale Mathis, ¿ì²¥³ÉÈË vice president of Academic and Student Affairs, said during the signing ceremony at ¿ì²¥³ÉÈË. "As we know, our ¿ì²¥³ÉÈËs come in with a whole host of challenges, and it's fortunate to have such a partnership with AIC that will help us address their basic needs. It's exciting to be present now with the presidents of AIC and ¿ì²¥³ÉÈË to engage in this historic signing."
The agreement calls for AIC to discount their room rates for ¿ì²¥³ÉÈË ¿ì²¥³ÉÈËs, making college housing available and affordable to community college ¿ì²¥³ÉÈËs for the first time at AIC. The housing option will be offered to all ¿ì²¥³ÉÈË ¿ì²¥³ÉÈËs 18 years and older who are enrolled full or part-time and in good academic standing.
"I think today is a hallmark on how public and private institutions truly should work together," said AIC President Hubert Benitez. "This is a prime example of two teams, two institutions that have a similar mission of providing access and opportunity."
According to the agreement, ¿ì²¥³ÉÈË ¿ì²¥³ÉÈËs who opt to live at AIC will have access to other amenities there as well, including health services, the college library, laundry facilities, and a gym. A food plan and parking are also available for an additional cost.
There is no age limit for ¿ì²¥³ÉÈËs, couples can live together, and campus apartments are also a possibility.
The AIC housing option will allow ¿ì²¥³ÉÈË to expand its recruiting range of ¿ì²¥³ÉÈË-athletes and might also benefit international ¿ì²¥³ÉÈËs, as well as those struggling to find affordable places to live.
"For ¿ì²¥³ÉÈË Community College, we've been committed to addressing housing insecurity and homelessness for many years, and looking for different ways to strengthen partnerships in support of our ¿ì²¥³ÉÈËs has been a primary goal," said ¿ì²¥³ÉÈË President Christina Royal. "This agreement does more than just provide housing for our ¿ì²¥³ÉÈËs; it will also give them a taste of college life beyond ¿ì²¥³ÉÈË. It gives them a window into what their futures will look like when they think about transfer possibilities and helps immerse them in another college environment, which are all big wins for our ¿ì²¥³ÉÈËs."
¿ì²¥³ÉÈË ¿ì²¥³ÉÈËs could be moving into AIC housing as early as August for the fall semester, which at ¿ì²¥³ÉÈË begins in September.
"The more we can create these bridges, the more we can create and strengthen these pipelines, the better our communities will be served," said Benitez.
¿ì²¥³ÉÈË and AIC will hold a joint information session about the housing program on Wed., May 3, from 11 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. in the ¿ì²¥³ÉÈË campus courtyard during the annual Spring Fling celebration celebrating the end of classes for the academic year.
"The courtyard will be flooded with ¿ì²¥³ÉÈËs, and we're excited to make them aware or this amazing opportunity," Mathis said.
PHOTOS: (Above) AIC President Hubert Benitez and ¿ì²¥³ÉÈË President Christina Royal sign "historic" agreement
