Green River Campus Corner Apartment (CCA) is often a first choice for several international students and some Americans from other states to live. Lately though, there have been trouble with some students and their contracts.
Owned by Capstone Company, CCA is an organization run by a property management group separate from GRCC. It is vital for all parties involved to agree upon reasonable contract terms to limit and discourage property damaging behavior of student-residents, which can include fines and extra fees.
Currently CCA charges $100 non-refundable for application fee, fees for overused electricity, fines for damages and loss. Plus the $1800 or $1999 quarterly rent, additional fees can be daunting for a college student.
So are people clear about the contract?
"When I received a remainder of an additional charge bill, I had no idea about it. It says we have gone over the $136.00 allowance of our electricity, and when I checked for this contract term it is almost at the last page," said Korean student Sunny Park.
Debbie Daniels, the Director of Student Housing and Residence Life, explained that the overwhelming situation on the first day can make students pay less attention to the actual contract. Besides being rushed into the contract, Park mentioned that a language barrier could also interrupt their communication.
There are different types of contracts. Options include quarterly, academic year, and full year residency.
In many cases people who lived in CCA had to break the contract when they tried to move out from CCA.
"I tried to move after the first quarter, but they tried to charge me seventy percent of the following two quarters, so I would rather stay until then." said Chinese student Lillian Yu.
Apart from breaking a contract, there could be additional charges There is a $25 charge to unlock the door, a $50 charge if people lose a key and $150 for lock replacement.
Where are these charges going?
"Campus Corner Apartment is actually a non-benefit department. This fee goes to fixing items in the room that are broken, and to improve the ground," Daniels said.
The mission of CCA is to "Provide a safe, respectful, and diverse community that promotes each student's personal and academic growth through outstanding student service, staff expertise, and strong partnerships with Green River Community College."
Some students felt disappointed about the reality of this "mission" and think that it has a long way to go.
"We were told that we would have many opportunities to live with students from around the world. However, our group was almost arranged by each other." exclaimed Chao Li, a Chinese student who is now doing home share.
The students around him agreed.
Different from outside apartment renting, there is not a limit on student behavior, This makes it a much greater possibility that students can become runaway horses.
"They allow [parties] at CCA, which may be a temptation for many young people. I heard this before, but I didn't realize it was that serious until I [moved] in," said Vivian Jing.
Jing lived in CCA for a quarter but decided to move after that.
CCA allows residents to ask a student who is not currently living in CCA to take the remaining contract.
But this is not stated in the contract terms, which made it ambiguous when dealing with people trying to break their contracts.
"I signed for an academic contract, so I have to pay $199 fee for breaking the contract, which means my friend, who took my academic year contract, only need to pay $1800 per quarter, but they still charged her for $1999 every quarter." Jing said
To really be a "home away from home", the Resident assistant and Resident Council organization are trying hard to promote the quality of the activities in CCA community.
"The Resident Council is working on a parking proposal, smoking proposal, RC Store, Laundry Room Cleaning Day and Cooking class this quarter," said Tiffany Hayes, assistant director of community development.
is a member of the 
Be the first to comment on this article!