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First-Year Students to Live on Campus at University of Idaho
Aug. 20, 2009
Written by Tania Thompson
MOSCOW, Idaho – First-year students at the University of Idaho will have one more tool toward success: campus living. Today, the university's Board of Regents heard the institution's proposal to require first-year students to live on campus.
The new policy takes effect in fall 2010. The presentation came as an information item at the State Board of Education meeting in Pocatello; information items do not require action from the board.
"We're gratified that the university regents are supportive of our efforts to focus on student success," said Bruce Pitman, vice provost for academic affairs and dean of students. "The first year at the university is a critical time for us to provide the best environment of academic, peer and social support for our students to ensure that they have the best chance to succeed."
He said the policy aligns with the university's commitment to engage every student in a "transformative journey of discovery and understanding."
"The success of our students is at the heart of this; this residential strategy will help our students have higher grades, be more engaged, have higher retention rates and have higher graduation rates," said Pitman.
National studies indicate that students who live on-campus during their first year are more likely to return and more likely to succeed academically. University of Idaho data show that in fall 2008, as much as 88 percent of first-year students who lived in residence halls and the Greek system returned to the university, while only 59 percent of new students who lived off-campus returned from the previous year.
Peer and regional universities that already use this strategy to improve student success include Washington State University, Central Washington University, Montana State University, University of Montana, Colorado State University, University of Colorado at Boulder, University of Wyoming and University of Nebraska.
Over the past year, Pitman's student affairs division team researched the proposal, and met with student and other groups to discuss and get feedback on the plan.
"We received positive feedback from across the institution when we presented this proposal," Pitman said.
The policy allows first-year students to select housing from among 23 residence halls, nine sororities or 17 fraternities. Some students will be exempted from the requirement, including those who live at home with parents; who married and/or have children of their own; who are 21 years of age or older; who have at least 30 college credit hours; or who have an extremely unique circumstance, which will be considered on a case by case basis.
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About the University of Idaho
Founded in 1889, the University of Idaho is the state’s flagship higher-education institution and its principal graduate education and research university, bringing insight and innovation to the state, the nation and the world. University researchers attract nearly $100 million in research grants and contracts each year; the University of Idaho is the only institution in the state to earn the prestigious Carnegie Foundation ranking for high research activity. The university’s student population includes first-generation college students and ethnically diverse scholars. Offering more than 130 degree options in 10 colleges, the university combines the strengths of a large university with the intimacy of small learning communities. For information, visit www.uidaho.edu.
Media Contact: Tania Thompson, University Communications, (208) 885-6567, taniat@uidaho.edu
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