Whatcom Community College
Home MenuFuture Students » Residence Life Housing
2025-2026 CEDAR HALL RESIDENT HANDBOOK
Attendance is mandatory for all new residents! Meet with Residence Life staff. Know the housing rules and policies. Attendance is mandatory for all new residents.
RAs organize floor meetings monthly for residents to get to know their neighbors and update residents on important information. Floor meetings are mandatory.
Get to know others in Cedar Hall. Attend an RA hosted event. Check out games and equipment at the front desk. Gather in the community spaces to watch TV and have conversations with others.
SERVICES & AMENITIES
The front desk on the first floor of Cedar Hall Serves as a central location of information and services for residents. Front desk services include:
- Mail and package pick up
- Access to the building or your unit/bedroom if you lock yourself out. Residents are allowed three free lock outs per quarter. A $25 fee will be added to your student account for additional lock outs requiring staff assistance.
- Assistance with requesting maintenance in your suite
- Assistance filing out any forms in eRezLife or accessing your student account
- Checking out games or equipment
- Lost and found
- Emergency assistance
Hours of Operation:
Monday – Friday: 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Summer and holiday hours may vary.
All mail and packages MUST include your first and last name and unit number.
Mickey Mouse
204 Olivine Lane #413
Bellingham, WA 98226
Mail and packages are delivered to Cedar Hall Monday through Friday. Packages that are hazardous or violate College policy will not be accepted.
Residents will receive an e-mail when a package is received for them. Please bring your student ID to the front desk when picking up your package. The package must be picked up by the resident it is addressed to.
If the item remains at the front desk for more than a week, or if we are unable to identify the recipient, the package will be returned to sender. Any packages that are not able to return to sender or abandoned packages at move out will be donated. Whatcom shall not be held liable for theft or damage to any item.
Residents are responsible for checking in with the front desk for standard mail.
The laundry room is located on the first floor of Cedar Hall. Laundry is paid for using your student ID card. Funds can be deposited to your card online via your MyWCC student portal.
Residents can track machine availability and set reminders by using LaundryView. Check in with your RA for more information.
- Residents are responsible for emptying the washers and dryers and removing lint from the dryer lint trap after each use.
- Clothes found in or on top of washer/dryers over a 24-hour period will be removed and placed in lost and found. Clothes left behind longer than a week will be donated.
- Non-residents are prohibited from using the laundry room in Cedar Hall.
- Whatcom does not assume responsibility for loss or damage to any laundry or supplies left unattended in the laundry room.
If a machine is not working properly, please let staff know and we will submit a maintenance request.
BUS SERVICES
Bus service is available for the Cordata Station, located next to Cedar Hall. Your student ID card works as a bus pass if you are enrolled in classes and have paid tuition.
BICYCLES
Bicycles must be registered and permitted with the Residence Life office. Residents are encouraged to keep their bicycles in the bike room in Cedar Hall. Space may be limited. For access to the bike room, please connect with the front desk. WCC does not assume responsibility for theft or damage to bicycles. The use of bicycles or other wheeled vehicles is prohibited inside Cedar Hall.
PARKING
All campus parking is handled through our Safety & Security Office. There is limited resident parking behind Cedar Hall available on a first come first serve basis. Read more about parking at Whatcom.
Your vehicle must be legally registered and insured, meeting all Washington State requirements. This includes displaying valid license plates and registration tabs, and being in safe, operable condition.
When obtaining your Cedar Hall parking permit, you will need to present your vehicle registration and proof of insurance. If the vehicle is registered to someone other than the student, a signed letter granting permission to drive the vehicle must be provided along with the registration. Additionally, the student must be listed as a covered driver on the insurance policy. Permits will not be issued if the student is not named (or permitted) on the registration and is not included on insurance documentation.
Questions? Contact Safety & Security at 360.383.3394.
Power went out? Shower drain clogged? Let us know! Submit a maintenance request in eRezLife
Please include your name, your room number and the details of your request.
For emergency maintenance issues, contact the front desk at 360.383.3008. If after hours, call the duty phone at 360-201-1159. The following maintenance issues are considered emergencies:
- Flooding
- Broken window
- Fire safety equipment issue (fire alarm is activated or beeping)
- Loss of heat or hot water
- Power outage
- Key/lock issues (cannot unlock or lock your door)
- Any situation that compromises the health or safety of the residents/community
Residents are responsible for the cost of all damages that are not reported in a timely manner. Residence Life staff will send residents a follow up notification by email with the day/time of entry for repairs.
Each resident is responsible for disposing of their own trash and recycling in the trash room on the first floor.
Recycled items must be clean and placed in the appropriate bin. Please be sure to put your recycling in the appropriate disposal containers and break down the boxes.
For residents that choose to compost their food waste, a compost bin can be requested.
Each suite is equipped with a Smart TV and WiFi is available throughout the building. To access the WiFi information for Cedar Hall, log into your MYWCC portal. The community television in the shared spaces on the first and fourth floor are equipped with cable.
The community spaces are available for all residents to enjoy. Please clean up any space after you use it. Please realize the impact that noise has on the nearby suites. Games and other equipment are available for check out at the front desk during desk hours. Residence Life staff can answer any questions regarding the use of any community spaces in Cedar Hall.
Study Areas
Study spaces are available for a group to reserve and when not reserved can be used by any resident of Cedar Hall.
Community Kitchen
The community kitchen is open to all residents of Cedar Hall and can be reserved for a special event/program. The items in the kitchen are provided Residence Life and must remain in the kitchen. Residents are expected to clean up after themselves when using the community kitchen.
4th Floor Resident Lounge
The fourth-floor resident lounge has a smart TV/cable for gaming and gathering, a small kitchen and comfortable seating.
RESIDENT UNIT INFORMATION
Your room comes furnished with an XL twin bed, desk, chair, drawers, and closet space. All bedrooms have an individual thermostat for temperature control. Residents are expected to keep their room neat and cluster free. For safety reasons, the bedroom door must be able to open all the way without obstruction.
A complete assessment of each room and unit is done by Residence Life staff before a move in. Residents should do their own check upon move in and notify Residence Life of any damages to avoid charges. Charges will applied to any and all damages found at move out.
We encourage all resident to share their living preferences with their suitemates within the first few days. To help with this conversation, We recommend that each unit create a roommate agreement. RAs will discuss this process during new resident orientation and are available to help you with these conversations. Here are some of the causes of roommate challenges:
- Use of common spaces (cleanliness, decorations, scheduling)
- Noise
- Guests
- Cultural differences
- Sharing items
In Cedar Hall, you will have the opportunity to meet people from a variety of backgrounds, cultures, and lifestyles. Your interactions with others can be the most interesting and at times challenging aspects of your college experience. In the event you find yourself in conflict with another resident, our Residence Life team has some suggestions:
- Attempt to understand others before starting to argue.
- Be direct and respectful in your interactions.
- Address your conflict with the person directly before approaching a staff member.
- If you cannot resolve the issue on your own ask a Residence Life staff member for help.
No storage space is provided outside of your room. Any personal belongings left in shared spaces, including hallways and lounges, may be discarded.
All residents are expected to keep the shared spaces of their suite clean and clutter free. When you are finished using an area, pick up after yourself by removing all garbage and cleaning the surface of the table/counter. Shared spaces include kitchen, living room, and bathrooms.
Be sure to keep your bathroom clean and dry. Use your bathroom fan while showering. If mildew should develop, clean the area with a solution of ¼ cup plain vinegar to 1 quart water. Spray the area and wipe off with a damp cloth. Inform our Resident Advisor if mildew returns so that our maintenance staff can address the issue. All residents must have and use a shower curtain to avoid water damage to the floor.
All units are provided with a full size fridge, a two burner stove top, cabinet space, and a island counter. This is a shared space between all unit residents.
Please use caution when cooking in your suite. Always use your exhaust fan when cooking. If the smoke alarm goes off in your unit do not prop open the door into the hallway. This will activate all the building alarms. Call the duty phone (360) 201-1159. Staff will check your unit and then turn off the alarm when it is safe to do so. When possible, open the windows within your suite. If a grease fire occurs turn the stove off and cover the pot/skillet with a lid. Keep the lid on the pot until it has cooled. Do not pour water on a grease fire!
Tampering with any smoke detector will result in the forfeiture of your refundable deposit.
To avoid pests (bedbugs, ants, fruit flies, etc.) please take out your trash regularly, do not leave food out on the counter and practice good personal hygiene. Keep clutter from accumulating in your bedroom and unit. If you find evidence of pests, inform Residence Life staff immediately. Do not use pest spray in your unit.
Items that can cause damage to walls, doors or blinds are not permitted. This includes strip lights, darts, paint, tacks, nails, and strong adhesives. 3M hangers do not damage the walls and are permitted. Prohibited decorations include: any posters or signs that are obviously intended to be pornographic, obscene, or offensive; candles, decorative weaponry, and drug/alcohol advertisements. Housing charges will be applied for any damages in a unit.
Residents are responsible for insuring their private property. Whatcom assumes no responsibility for lost, stolen, or damaged items. Whatcom strongly recommends that you purchase a renter’s insurance policy through a licensed insurance provider.
HOUSING DISABILITY ACCOMMODATIONS
Residents of Cedar Hall who require disability accommodations related to their housing experience must complete the Housing Accommodation Application. Check out Access & Disability Services for more information regarding disability related accommodations.
WCC housing abides by all local, state, and federal laws relevant to campus housing. WCC housing is a drug and alcohol-free environment and does not discriminate in its programs and employment on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, disability, or age.
At Cedar Hall, we believe that a successful residential experience begins with a shared commitment to respect, responsibility, and community standards. Our housing policies, rules, and procedures are designed to ensure a safe, inclusive, and supportive environment for all residents. These guidelines help protect individual rights, promote personal accountability, and foster a positive living and learning atmosphere.
All residents are expected to be familiar with and adhere to these policies throughout their time in campus housing. Violations of housing rules—whether related to safety, behavior, or community standards—will be addressed through a fair and educational housing conduct process. Our goal is not only to maintain a respectful community but to support student growth and understanding.
We encourage students to review this information thoroughly and reach out to Residence Life staff with any questions or concerns.
POLICIES & PROCEDURES
Living with roommates can be exciting and challenging. The housing application is important to the housing process. Please be sure to complete the full application honestly.
We encourage all residents to share their living preferences with their suitemates within the first few days. To help with this conversation, we have created a roommate agreement. A written agreement will help outline expectations and responsibilities. Want to know how to do a roommate agreement? Ask your RA! They can help.
Communication is key in establishing a good living situation. Some topics to consider:
- Visitors and Guests - set clear expectations on visits and overnight guests.
- Chores - share cleaning responsibilities and consider posting a chore chart.
- Sharing - set boundaries on sharing food, borrowing personal items, and accessing personal space.
- Noise - discuss and set guidelines on quiet times to respect sleep, and study schedules.
Residents may request a specific roommate, and staff will attempt to honor these requests when possible.
Room transfers are at the discretion of the Residence Life staff. Room transfers are not available during the first 2 weeks of the academic quarter. Requests for a room change can be emailed to residencelife@whatcom.edu. Residence Life staff will attempt to accommodate individual requests but cannot guarantee them. If your request is approved, you will be charged $100 transfer fee to cover the cost of cleaning the room you are moving from. The number of room transfer may be limited.
Residence Life reserves the right to move students to complete maintenance or maximize the efficiency and safety of Cedar Hall. Residents will be provided as much notice as possible if they are requested to move units.
Housing fees are billed for the academic quarter and added to your student account before move in. Housing fees are due on the first day of the quarter. The initial invoice will also include a $20 refundable deposit. Any unpaid housing fees may result in a block on your account resulting in the ability to register for classes and your contract may be terminated. It is important to communicate with Residence Life staff as soon as possible regarding any concerns related to housing fees.
COHABITATION
Residents may not allow another person to reside with them. Guests found residing in Cedar Hall will be asked to leave immediately and their host resident will be subject to disciplinary action, including additional fees.
VACANT ROOMS
Residents may not enter or store their belongings in any vacant room. Any resident who has used a vacant room will be charged additional fees, including damages incurred from the use of space.
Your WCC ID card will be programmed to provide access to Cedar Hall and your suite. Residents are also provided a bedroom key at check-in. Keys are the sole responsibility of the resident. Keys and ID cards are not to be loaned, copied, or left unattended. Allowing anyone to use your key or ID card is considered a serious violation that jeopardizes the safety and security of residents and may result in the termination of your housing contract.
LOST/STOLEN KEYS
To maintain safety and security in Cedar Hall, Residence Life staff must be informed immediately if a resident loses their ID card or bedroom key. Resident will be charged for a replacement key/ID and if necessary, for rekeying locks.
If you are locked out of your room during business hours, see the front desk for assistance. After hours, call the Residence Life duty phone at (360) 201-1159. Residents are provided three free lock outs per quarter and will be charged $25 for each additional lock out.
Residence Life will hold new resident orientation sessions shortly after the beginning of the quarter. To remain eligible for our refundable deposit, you must attend orientation within the quarter that you move in.
Residents must also attend floor meetings to remain in good standing. If you are going to be absent from a floor meeting, please contact your Resident Advisor prior to the meeting.
Resident safety is our primary concern. Resident Advisors will complete monthly inspections of all units, including bedrooms, bathrooms, and kitchen, including appliances, for general safety and cleanliness. Resident will be e-mailed notice of inspections at least 48 hours in advance.
What to expect? Residence Life staff will walk through your suite including bedrooms to check for basic cleanliness:
- Kitchen: space should be free of clutter, countertops, surfaces including cabinets, microwave, and refrigerator are wiped down. Fridge should be clean and free of moldy or expired food. Dishes should be washed and put away. Floors should be swept and mopped, not sticky, or muddy.
- Bathroom: space should be free of clutter, mirrors wiped clean of spots, sink and counter tops wiped down. Toilet scrubbed inside the toilet bowl and the toilet seat wiped down. The shower should be free of soap scum and floors should be swept and mopped.
- Bedrooms: space should be free of clutter, clear pathway from your bedroom door to the bed and the bed to the window in case of emergency. Floor should be clean and free of garbage, excess clothing, or personal items creating a tripping hazard.
- Trash: separated into recycle, landfill, compost, mixed paper, and cardboard. The trash should be emptied and using a trash liner or washing your trash bin to prevent smells and bugs.
*Wipe down: food residue, dried toothpaste, water, general dirt, and hair should be gone.
Staff will not be looking through your personal items. This includes desk and dresser drawers. Due to concerns related to faulty equipment, resident concerns, and cleanliness, Residence Life staff will be looking in the refrigerator, cabinets, microwave, and testing appliances. We may need to inspect window blinds as well as heating units.
Quiet hours are in effect daily from 10 pm to 8 am. Noise audible through a closed door will be considered in violation of the quite hours policy. Outside of quite hours, we ask residents to maintain a courteous atmosphere for those who choose to study or sleep during the day. Televisions, gaming systems, and music should not be played at an excessive volume.
Guests are required to sign in and out at the front desk. Residents are responsible for making their guest aware of residence life policies and for the behavior of their guests. If a guest violates a Residence Life policy the resident hosting the guest will be held responsible for the violation. Guests should have no known criminal background. Those who conduct themselves in a disorderly or disturbing manner will be asked to leave. Previous residents who have been evicted from Residence Life are not allowed as visitors or guests.
Whether you have suitemates or not, overnight guests are limited to 2 consecutive nights and 7 nights per quarter. Guests are only permitted to sleep in the resident’s room, not in the common space of the unit. To request an exception to the guest policy, contact Residence Life staff at residencelife@whatcom.edu.Cedar Hall may not be used for business purposes. Door-to-door solicitation is prohibited.
Pets are not allowed in Cedar Hall. Violations to the pet policy may result in termination of your housing contract and forfeiture of your security deposit.
Smoking and vaping are prohibited in Cedar Hall. No smoking of any kind is permitted inside the building. There is a smoking area near the shed behind Cedar Hall. Residents and their guests may only smoke/vape outside, at least twenty-five feet from any entrance to the building. This includes the use of cigarettes, electronic cigarettes, vaporizers, pipes, cigars, etc. Hookahs and marijuana products are not permitted on campus or in Cedar Hall. If a resident violates this policy, they will be charged a $250 smoking fee and forfeit their refundable deposit. This may also result in immediate contract termination.
Drugs and alcohol are prohibited in Cedar Hall, regardless of whether the resident or guest is of legal age. No person shall possess, use, consume, sell, manufacture, cultivate, package, or distribute a controlled or illegal drug or substance in Cedar Hall or on college property. While state law permits the recreational use of marijuana, federal law prohibits such use on a college property or in connection with college activities.
Weapons are prohibited in Cedar Hall and on campus. Possession, holding, wearing, transporting, storage or presence of any firearm, dagger, sword, knife or other cutting or stabbing instrument, club, explosive device, or any other weapon apparently capable of producing bodily harm is prohibited on the college campus, subject to the following exceptions: a) Commissioned law enforcement personnel or legally authorized military personal while in performance of their duties; b) A student with a valid concealed weapons permitted may store a weapon in their vehicle parked on campus in accordance with RCW 9.41.050(2) or (3), provided the vehicle is locked and the weapon is concealed form view; or c) The college president may grant permission to bring a weapon on campus upon a determination that a weapon is reasonable related to a legitimate pedagogical purpose. Such permission shall be in writing and shall be subject tto such terms or conditions incorporated in written permissions.
This policy is applicable to all residents, students, faculty, staff, and visitors.
