Spring Break
Policy will require freshmen to live on campus
Meal plans will also be mandatory beginning fall semester of 2008
Amy Winberry
Issue date: 1/19/07 Section: News
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The university's policy on freshmen housing and meal plans will change as of the fall semester of 2008. Entering freshmen will be required to live in on-campus housing and buy meal plans.
MSU administrators decided to change the policy because they believe the change will increase the quality of life of freshmen students, vice president of student affairs Bill Kibler said.
There will be a few exceptions to the policy. Married freshmen and local residents in the Starkville area will have a choice because of personal and financial reasons. Additionally, entering freshmen that served in the military before coming to college will have a choice because of the age differences.
"Years of research show that the quality of life of students is enhanced if the student lives on campus," Kibler said.
He said the reason is because students will have a chance to get fully integrated with the campus and university.
Kibler proposed the idea to MSU administrators and President Robert "Doc" Foglesong gave the final approval in the fall. The administration wanted plenty of time for prospective students to get the information so they decided to wait until the fall of 2008 to implement their decision.
Many universities around the country and in Mississippi, including the University of Mississippi and the University of Southern Mississippi, require entering freshmen to live on campus.
However, the fact that MSU has that option may affect prospective students' decisions to attend MSU.
"The reason I chose to attend Mississippi State University over Ole Miss is because I had the choice of living on or off campus," said Leann Kelly, freshman Spanish major. "I think students have the opportunity to be social but they shouldn't be forced to."
"Studies show that students who live on campus generally make better grades, become more involved in campus activities, are more likely to have a positive college experience, and graduate than those who live off campus," according to a statement on the MSU Web site.
MSU administrators decided to change the policy because they believe the change will increase the quality of life of freshmen students, vice president of student affairs Bill Kibler said.
There will be a few exceptions to the policy. Married freshmen and local residents in the Starkville area will have a choice because of personal and financial reasons. Additionally, entering freshmen that served in the military before coming to college will have a choice because of the age differences.
"Years of research show that the quality of life of students is enhanced if the student lives on campus," Kibler said.
He said the reason is because students will have a chance to get fully integrated with the campus and university.
Kibler proposed the idea to MSU administrators and President Robert "Doc" Foglesong gave the final approval in the fall. The administration wanted plenty of time for prospective students to get the information so they decided to wait until the fall of 2008 to implement their decision.
Many universities around the country and in Mississippi, including the University of Mississippi and the University of Southern Mississippi, require entering freshmen to live on campus.
However, the fact that MSU has that option may affect prospective students' decisions to attend MSU.
"The reason I chose to attend Mississippi State University over Ole Miss is because I had the choice of living on or off campus," said Leann Kelly, freshman Spanish major. "I think students have the opportunity to be social but they shouldn't be forced to."
"Studies show that students who live on campus generally make better grades, become more involved in campus activities, are more likely to have a positive college experience, and graduate than those who live off campus," according to a statement on the MSU Web site.
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