ARC FAQs

Who decided what kinds of spaces and amenities go into the ARC?

The Student Facilities Advisory Committee (SFAC), including students and staff from both UW Bothell and Cascadia are worked with LMN Architects to develop the design for the building. SFAC is advisory to the campus administrative leaders who reviewed and recommended the project for final approval and financing by the UW Regents and Cascadia Board of Trustees.

Will there be future expansion?

Discussions for a potential phase 2 will take place following completion of this project.

How does a Cascadia student access to the ARC differ from their access to the Sports & Rec Complex?

The Sports and Recreation Complex was funded entirely by UW Bothell students and administration.  Cascadia students can utilize the sports and recreation complex by paying a quarterly fee through UW Bothell.  Both UW Bothell and Cascadia students will have full access to the Student Activity Center common areas including lounge areas, food services, game area, and fitness center; office areas would be dedicated to either UW Bothell or Cascadia in proportion to the investment from each institution.

Can I choose not to pay the Activities & Recreation Center fee?

No. Cascadia students and UW Bothell students have already approved the fee. The fee will be applied quarterly beginning in the first quarter that the building is open for use.

What is the environmental impact of building the ARC?

A site specific environmental review has been completed as part of the permitting process for the project; The site is completely outside of the wetlands and wetlands buffer and will be designed and built with a focus on sustainable design features, such as natural ventilation and sustainable building materials.

What will be the hours of operation?

Detailed building staffing and operations plans will be developed later in project planning. Specific hours of operation may differ for the office areas and the lounge, and coffee service.

How much will the project cost per student?

The fee for Cascadia and UW Bothell students is $100 per quarter per full-time student. UW Bothell students pay a new Student Activity Center fee at $147 per quarter, before the offsetting contributions from Cascadia are included. Cascadia students have already approved a fee of $100/quarter ($300/year) which will generate a minimum of $570,000 per year that will be paid to UW Bothell students to help fund the project. More precise information will be available as we continue to develop the details of the financing agreements.

Where will the money come from for the project?

The Student Activity Center is financed using the University of Washington’s Internal Lending Program (ILP), which is used to fund capital construction projects on the UW’s three campuses. The loan from the ILP will be paid back over 30 years from the UW Bothell ARC fee. CCC will enter into a long term agreement to pay an annual access fee to utilize the facility.

When will students start paying the ARC fee?

Students will begin paying the Student Activity Center fee at the beginning of the quarter in which the building is opened and available for student use.  For example, if the ARC opens in October 2015, students would begin paying the fee Fall Quarter 2015.

Will part-time students pay the same fee as full time students?

No. Part-time students at both UWB and Cascadia will pay a prorated amount of their respective SAC fee, based on the number of credits they take each quarter.

Can student financial aid money be used to pay the Service and Activities Fee?

Yes.

Will the Service and Activities fee for ARC change as enrollment changes?

The required loan payment will be set as part of the loan agreement for the project financing. If surplus revenues are generated by the fee due to enrollment growth the students may consider using some of the excess funds to reduce the fee amount, put a “down payment” on Phase 2, or use the excess funds for other needs.