IU weighs requiring freshmen to live in dorms

Chancellor Sharon Brehm will ask the board of trustees today to require that freshmen live on-campus in their first year at IU.\nThe move, if approved, would alter living plans of nearly 400 incoming freshmen in the fall of 2003. \nBrehm said the University will be able to accommodate more on-campus residents. For the past two years, some freshmen were forced into dorm lounges while bed space was made available.\nFreshmen on campus will increase retention rates and help new students acclimate to the college experience, Brehm said.\n"Living on campus is a great contributor to student success," Brehm said. "It's an academic benefit, and it helps the student adjust to college."\nStudent Body President Bill Gray said he supports Brehm's idea, emphasizing the small number of students affected.\n"Study after study has shown that freshman who live on campus in a more structured environment tend to perform better academically and adjust better socially," Gray said. \nStudents who live on-campus are more likely to stay in school and graduate from college. They are more likely to interact with faculty members and other students, according to a report prepared by the Chancellor's office to be presented at today's meeting. Students are also more satisfied overall with their college experience, the report says.\nDean of Students Richard McKaig said the issue has been looked at and approved by the Interfraternity Council, the IU Student Association and most of the administration.\n"Students get a better start when they're living on campus with other students and getting involved with other students and campus activities," McKaig said.\nAccording to the report, IU students are also more likely to perform better academically. In the fall of 2001, students living on-campus received a 3.11 GPA compared to a 2.97 for those living off-campus.\nThe current plan includes exemptions for students over 21, transfer students and students who have certain medical, financial or special circumstances.\n"I think we protected all the categories of folks that need to not live in the residence halls," McKaig said. "So far we haven't found anybody that is opposed to (the proposal), and it's been discussed pretty broadly for the last several months."\nThe University has had problems in the past trying to house all of its students wanting to live in the dorms, sometimes placing students in hall lobbies until space is found.\nBut McKaig said with renovations in Eigenmann Hall, space should not be a problem.\nAs of now, fraternities are defined as on-campus housing until a more thorough review of campus policies can be completed, according to the report.\nThe board of trustees will consider the proposal at 8:30 a.m. today. Whether the issue comes to a vote is up to the trustees, Brehm said.\nManaging editor Cory Schouten contributed to this report.