Campus Tours Explore Life at COCC

June 1, 2023

Tour the Wickiup Residence Hall, or visit any one of Central Oregon Community College’s four campuses for a sample of the college experience

Buckling down with homework has certain perks in Wickiup Residence Hall at Central Oregon Community College (COCC), where on the southwest side of the building, mountain-facing study rooms offer no shortage of inspiring views: miles of evergreen treetops that spool out to snow-glazed Cascades. But there’s more to the residence hall than academics — a lot more.

“This residence hall is a big community,” said Ryan Rhodes, who came to COCC from Eugene to study in the Paramedicine and Fire Science programs. “We all share a kitchen, enjoy the same programs together, all work together for the greater good.” Side note: Culinary Arts students who reside in Wickiup are known to experiment with large-portion recipes in the communal kitchen, a fringe benefit for fellow residents.

The location of COCC’s residence hall was key to Rhodes, who prizes the easy access to the many resources of the Bend campus. “I have a gym, hot meals provided three times a day, a gorgeous library, a market full of snacks, hiking paths that wrap around the outskirts of the campus, and tennis courts that give me a view of the mountain range as I play,” he added.

To see the residence hall up close, sign up for a Bend campus tour, or tour the Redmond, Madras or Prineville campuses by scheduling a visit at cocc.edu/departments/admissions/explore-cocc/visit-campus.aspx. Groups visits are available, too.

Bend tours visit a number of campus buildings and can adjust to meet the needs of the group, explained Sarah Hopkins, admissions coordinator. “On Friday’s tour, I had three people interested in our Culinary program and so we spent a little more time there,” she said. Throughout, the tours weave in facts and figures about COCC, building by building. “The tour tells a story of our history,” Hopkins added. “After commencement (June 17), we’ll be doing three a week.”

For prospective residents of the 330-capacity Wickiup Hall, tours visit a typical “suite-style” room (available in single- and double-bedroom layouts), along with the kitchen, game room and common spaces. Every resident is provided with an adjustable, bunkable-loftable bed, a two-drawer wardrobe unit, a desk and desk chair.

Wickiup Hall has served as home to students from as far away as Hawaii and Florida — with about 20% of current residents coming from out of state. For those living on their own for the first time, it offers a built-in network of friends and ease of living. “It’s a really good transition for students,” said Sofia Stranieri, also an admissions coordinator at COCC, who called Wickiup home during her own time as a student.

The on-campus living experience also translates into something more than a convenient, affordable housing choice. Studies that have looked at college retention rates typically find that students who live on campus achieve higher GPAs and hold better graduation rates than those who don’t. Living in Wickiup is like having firmer footing on a challenging trail.

Rates for a full term this fall, including a meal plan, start at $3,996. A limited amount of students can earn free room and board by applying to be a community assistant, a peer-leader position that helps facilitate activities and programs.

The application process is now open, and interested students are encouraged to apply early to have the best chance at securing a spot. For more information on Wickiup Hall, visit cocc.edu/departments/residence-life or call 541-383-7545.

By Mark Russell Johnson, staff writer, Office of Marketing and Public Relations