Story by Nicole Dohm
Photo by Luke Nankivell
Drake West Village is welcoming Des Moines Area Communiy College (DMACC) students.
West Village already houses students from Mercy College and Grand View University.
According to WHO.com, “DMACC Urban Campus students will have a new housing option starting this fall. An agreement signed between Drake University, Des Moines Area Community College, and Drake West Village offers students an opportunity to live on a college campus near downtown Des Moines.”
Drake West Village has four floor plans including private bedrooms, a fitness room, study center, game room, free high-speed internet and cable, laundry and a roommate matching service. But perhaps the best amenity is that it’s located on a DART route, so DMACC students can have door-to-door bus service.
“We’ve had calls from DMACC students who were interested in living here, but until now we’ve had to turn them away,” said Caitlin Foster, assistant general manager of Drake West Village.
With this agreement, Urban Campus students may now live in the private apartment compex located on land owned by Drake University.
“DMACC students will join others from Drake University, Grand View University and Des Moines University. It’s a great community environment,” Foster said.
“All this really means for Drake West Village is that there will be more occupants. We already house Mercy College students, DMU students and Grand View students. Adding DMACC was a natural progression. This will not change any of the housing procedures we currently have in place for Drake University students,” said Regional Vice President of American Campus Communities Melinda Farmer.
“The positive benefit will be a richer, more diverse community in which all students, regardless of university or college affiliation, will benefit. This really should be as seamless as it was when we added the other student populations.”
“Drake West Village is a private complex so to have other schools students live there is not a big deal,” said sophomore Jeorgie Smith. “I think that because the apartments are so expensive, West Village is having trouble making sure the apartment complex stays filled.”
