CORVALLIS, Ore. (KMTR) -- All future freshmen OSU Beavers will likely have to live in the university’s dorms, thanks to a new policy on campus.
Starting fall term of 2013, OSU will require most incoming freshmen to live in the on-campus dorms. The rule is part of several new initiatives that OSU hopes will help keep students in school and make them more successful.
Campus leaders are still working out the smaller details and exceptions to the rule, however the requirement will mostly apply to all “true freshmen” or the students coming out of high school to enroll in OSU classes.
OSU met with student groups and others before approving the rule. University President Ed Ray says he’s wanted to a policy like this since he arrived in Corvallis nearly a decade ago.
Right now, about 80% of the freshmen class lives in on campus dormitories. The university says those students typically perform better academically and stay in college longer.
OSU says with this attendance rule, new student summer connection courses and new campus touring programs, the combination should help get more people leaving OSU with a degree.
"It's about providing the strongest learning experience we can for our students. Some of that learning happens in classrooms, but much of that classroom learning extends beyond the classroom and in the living and learning environment. So we're committed to creating the deepest possible learning for our students and we think that students living in residences is one way to enhance that,” says Susie Brubaker-Cole, Associate Provost of Academic Success and Engagement for Oregon State University.
As far as space, OSU says it has enough rooms and dining options to house all of its freshmen class and more. A new dorm is being built on campus at 14th Street and Washington Avenue, which is currently a gravel parking lot.
OSU is hoping that by October 2012, the exceptions part of the mandatory first year dorm living policy will be worked out. It’s still unclear if students will be able to skip the dorms to live at home instead.
