Freshmen to live on campus in 2003

Freshman year, the life changing time when teens leave home for college, learn new things, meet interesting people and move into the dorms. Yes it’s true; all freshmen entering Georgia College & State University in 2003 will be required to live on campus.

Here’s the plan: Adams, Wells and Napier will be torn down and new suite-style dorms will be built. There will be four people to a suite, two to a room with one bathroom in between them. Freshmen will be required to live in the new dorms, while upperclassmen will be invited to live in the apartments on West Campus.

The reasoning behind this plan is simple, to enhance the freshman experience.

“It will give the freshmen a better connection to the University,” says John Stone, Associate Director of University Housing.

“There are certain experiences that one can only receive while living on campus,” says Stone. “Being close is one of them. Students can walk to class, walk to eat and walk to the library.”

Jeff Bodiford, does not agree with the decision to force freshmen to live on campus because some might be uncomfortable with it.

“I don’t think I missed out on that much. I could have met more people faster but I ended up meeting a lot of people anyway,” said Jeff Bodiford, a sophomore who lived off campus his freshman year, does not regret his choice. I need my own space, with my own room and shower.”
GC&SU is attempting to model itself after other colleges that have set a standard.

“It is not uncommon in universities around the country.” The decision also stems from the process of becoming a better Residential Liberal Arts University,” said Stone. “A true living and learning environment takes place outside of the classroom as well as inside”.

Laura Robbins, a junior in the nursing program, lived in the dorms her freshman and sophomore years. While she recommends the dorm experience, she does not agree with the decision.

“I do not think it should be required for freshman to live on campus, although it is a good idea, it should be left to the student to decide,” said Robbins.

Maleea Carnes, Resident Director of Bell Hall, has lived in the dorms for three years and encourages the new plan.

“I think the freshmen should be required to live in the dorms because it’s a good way to meet new people and learn how to live in a diverse environment,” said Carnes.

Stone believes that enrollment will not be effected by this change.

“There has been a strong demand for this in the past,” says Stone. “The demand is shown even this year, by how many students are living at the Ramada.”

The idea of having floors being co-ed still is a possibility.

“There is a possibility the floors may be co-ed but the rooms will always remain same sex, said Stone. “The University is open minded to change. There are endless options that we could do. The freshmen will be a group of students you can do so much more for. It’s going to be exciting, it will change the face of the university,” said Stone.

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Posted by Colonnade Archives on Sep 6 2002. Filed under News. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can leave a response or trackback to this entry