An on-campus dormitory housing up to 600 students is one way City College plans to combat the anticipated decline in student enrollment.

“I’m concerned about maintaining what we have,” said Dr. Jack Friedlander, executive vice-president of Educational Programs, at a heated board of trustees study session Thursday. “I don’t think given our current situation that we will be able to maintain.”

The facility would house up to 600 hundred students and could bring in up to $1 million in revenue for the school. The dormitory is also part of a strategy to make the college more attractive to students who are not local, according to a report reviewed at the meeting.

Romo said during the study session that he was not prepared to make his recommendation on the dormitory. He explained later that Capstone Development of San Francisco was the only company the college has spoken with, and he felt more research was needed.

“I really believe it would be a serious mistake to not keep the possibility of on-campus student housing,” he said. “If we take it off the table it’s a big mistake.”

Trustee Dr. Kay Alexander was the strongest opponent of the plan, saying she is not comfortable talking about student housing on campus. She said City College has 17,000 students and only 71 acres of land to build on.

“There’s no way you can make this campus bigger,” she said.

Romo said he believes the college could build without overcrowding the campus. He said owning the land saves money the college would have to spend for an off campus building, and a student dormitory could also generate revenue for the college.

Erika Tomatore, associated student body president, in an interview over the weekend said, “that will be the biggest problem faced.”

She said a dorm on campus could relieve some of the parking congestion, would keep students on campus, and could really help out of state and international students, she added.

Students looking for housing information on campus go to Amy Henry, student program advisor in the office of Student Life and the housing coordinator. City College lists two residence halls on its Web site, Fontainebleu and Tropicana Gardens.

Henry said when some students discover the two dormitories offered are not on campus, but in Isla Vista, they are disappointed.

Locations discussed for student housing are off Loma Alta Drive under the bridge. The precise location sits on the far side of the Marine Technologies building, which is now motorcycle and employee parking.

Friedlander and Dr. Andrea Serban, associate vice-president of Information Technology, research and planning, authored a report describing changes in the local community, and how these changes will influence the future of the college.

Current property and population trends show the face of City College is changing. The South Coast is one of the least affordable places to live in California and across the country when it comes to renting or owning a home. The number of local high school graduates is declining and will continue to fall.

Statistics presented in the report show City College is losing potential students, and student enrollment is important to the college because it is directly tied to the amount of money the college receives from the state.

Romo called the report the most important thing on the study session agenda.

According to the report these trends will force the college to look outside the local area for students. The recommendation is to target out of area, out of state and international students. This includes making sure housing and classes are available for this type of student body.

Friedlander said if the college does not address the changes identified in the report, it would result in a serious erosion of the programs and services the college can offer. He said it is “a serious threat, I believe, to the college as we know it.”

Romo said a work group has been formed to look into both on-campus and off-campus student housing and faculty housing options as well.

The members include Joe S. Sullivan, vice president of Business Services, Trustee Desmond O’Neill, Friedlander and Romo.

Tomatore said Romo and Friedlander are very committed to the students at City College and feels confident they will do a great job.

“They only want what’s best for the students,” she added.

The study session Thursday night was a good debate and discussion, Romo said. The next Board of Trustees meeting is at 4 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 23, in the Administration Building, Room-A211.