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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0555.010 2010-2012 PlcouriUL C�ki )55 f lava1'i r.ommunitt i.:ul 1,,;e Ottiee of the Chancellor ,ef Op UNIVLRSIry of HAWAII" rd I t HAWAI I (10+, COMMUNITY COLLEGE September 18, 2012 To: Hawai'i County Council From: Noreen YamaneT' ') Chancellor llawai'i Community College Subject: Letter of Support I am writing this letter to express my support for Bill 178 regarding a change of zone from RS-10 (single family)to RM-3 (multi-family)that would allow construction for student housing. Hawai`i Community College does not have dormitories to provide for adequate housing for our students. Students who do not live in Hilo must either travel to school either by car, bus, or car pool or apply for a dorm room with the University of Hawaii at Ililo or live in an off campus apartment or house with family andior friends. Our current student enrollment is 3664 of which a little over 90%of these students are resident students to the State of Hawai`i. Currently, approximately only 25-30 HawCC students reside at a UH Hilo dormitory. Although we have experienced a slight drop in enrollment from Fall 2011 to Fall 2012, over the past 3 years our student population has grown by 12% from 3276 in Fall 2009 to 3664 in Fall 2012. We have exceeded our projected rate of growth at HawCC and anticipate a continued growth in student enrollment. Hawaii Community College is increasing our efforts to attract students from all over the world to provide for rich cultural exchanges. We are increasing our efforts to host short educational experiences to students from Japan, China, and Korea to learn the English language while introducing them to the Hawaiian culture. Our international student population is experiencing a steady growth. While attending school here on the island, these students will need to have adequate housing, This change in zoning will allow for student'housing in a safe neighborhood and in close proximity to the campus that will support the growth in student population for both llawai`i Community College and the University of Hawai`i at Hilo. Mahalo nui loa! Comm. No. ssc. 10 Ref. To:___p Ref. Dnte_.__,�. 1 U1 2110 W.Kawili`,t Hilo.Ifawai'i 9o720-409 I elephuoe-(508)933-03)16 fax (8091 9747),92 www.hawan hawaii edu An Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action institution