College of DuPage President Robert Breuder asked local lawmakers Friday to work to change state law to allow dorms at the the Glen Ellyn community college campus.

During a breakfast meeting with legislators, Breuder said it would be easy to find at least 300 students at the junior college who would move into student housing if it existed. He said many students now live in off-campus apartments, which are more expensive and less safe than on-campus housing might be.

“The one thing we know we’re missing is the capacity to house students here,” Breuder said. “More people would come to us and be educated here if there was a residential experience.”

State law prohibits community colleges from owning or operating dorms. Some legislators at the breakfast meeting seemed pessimistic that the initiative could be seriously considered by the legislature anytime soon.

“I don’t think it’s on anybody’s radar at this point in time,” said State Rep. Dennis Reboletti, R-Elmhurst. “People don’t think of community colleges as a place where you go and stay.”

State Sen. Kirk Dillard, R-Hinsdale, said the college would need to prepare for  a “bloodbath” in lobbying for the legislation against four-year and private schools that would see the addition of dorms as a threat to their place in the market.

Breuder countered that it’s not likely COD would “take away from anyone else” because “there’s so much market out there that’s not being served.”

“Community colleges have come of age. Why not allow us to do that?” Breuder said.

Breuder expects he will follow up with the suggestion to modify the law with a letter to lawmakers.