Freshman Housing Policy Have you ever thought of something great in your head, but as soon as you say

it out loud, you notice it sounds ridiculous? Thats what some may say about having more options for freshman housing. A new freshman housing policy has seems like a great thing for new students. The new freshman policy implemented by the University of Arkansas at Little Rock (UALR) has come across a few issues though. As with many first-time executed ideas, there are some kinks that seemed to have been overlooked. The first I took notice in was the financing. At my first floor meeting with my residential assistant, I took notice of another issue over living restrictions. Which in fault, lead to students taking other options offered by other colleges. The policy itself can be very affective if simply given more leeway. There would be no need of getting rid of it. The new freshman housing policy was first introduced this fall. The policy states first-time, full-time freshmen are required to live on campus as part of the residential community. The purpose of the policy is to ultimately improve retention and graduation rates. I definitely see how on campus living can contribute to better success in academics. Freshman can also fully benefit from sharing the experience with fellow freshmen experiencing the big transition in their lives. The policy does also recognize some students will need exemptions from mandatory on campus living. However, it largely seems to overlook the big lack of housing options given to freshmen. There are a couple of other options for upperclassmen that could be out sourced to provide options for those students that werent allowed to opt-out of

mandatory on campus living. Nonetheless, West Residence Hall is the only option given. Therefore, causing a there to be conflicts over the matter. Cost of living in the West Residence Hall is a bit high. When compared to other residence halls at UALR, it is on the higher range of the price spectrum. When compared to other residence halls at other campuses, it is definitely
East Hall (Shared) $1814 East Hall (Private Room) $2514 West Hall $2526 Commons Apartments/University Village $2566

pricier. The cost per semester at West Hall

comes in at $2,526. Compared across campuses to the University of Conway (UCA), only 32 miles away from UALR, the cost of attendance per semester at Bear Hall comes in at $1,660. These two halls can be compared accurately due to the
3000

Cost Per Semester

2500 2000 1500 1000 500 0 UALR West Hall UCA Bear Hall Cost Per Semester

very similar rom set up, as well as amenities offered. Yet, West Hall is priced at almost double of what Bear Hall costs. West Hall offers a shared bedroom with a vanity sink. The residence hall is furnished with two twin sized beds, two dressers, two desks, and two

closets. The bathroom facilities are on the floor, typically shared with another room, or in other words four girls. Because the bathrooms are on the floor anyone can have access to them, it makes it hard to monitor who is using your bathroom and to secure your bath supplies. The kitchen, or better described as a kitchenette, is floor

wide shared. The problem of the absence of a stovetop immediately arises linked with the problem of cleanliness and storage space. Robyn Oglesby, a West Hall resident, stated she liked the building, but she wouldnt have minded having another option that may have suit her better. Aside from the finances and aesthetics, another issue is just over the horizon. Studies have proven that there is a rapid rising number of college attendees as well as a rising number of retention rates. To add to that equation, the higher cost of living off campus has pushed more students to on campus living. All this may sound good idealistically. Yet, when you consider housing capacities, the problem arises. With more and more students comes a need for more and more beds. UALR has recently built West Residence Hall in 2011. Still, the demand will soon exceed the supply. According to Frankie D. Minor, in the year 2008, colleges were looking at record topping numbers for freshman applicants. With as much scholarships and financial aid as is being offered more and more every year, it can be inferred that those number have and will keep rising. The rising numbers of students seeking further education is a massive achievement. Turning away students due to housing limitations would counteract all the efforts that housing has put on students to stay on campus past their first year. Working on a solution now will benefit the UALR campus tremendously for years to come. The clear solution is to build a new building. Budgeting is first to object. Nevertheless, it will inevitably happen. If we start budgeting now for it, we could avoid the hustle to get it done when the problem is right in our faces. The finances to building a new residence hall are sky high. In perspective, the cost of the

new hall would have the capability of increasing freshman applicants and increasing returning upperclassmen on campus living. Which in turn, extends the purpose of the new housing policy to upperclassmen rather than just freshman. The new building could not only give incoming freshman another option but could also be a secondary building for upperclassmen overflow in the incoming year. UALR may have a higher number of non-traditional students in the past. Now, there is more need to accommodate those traditional students as well. We must always remain proactive and current if UALR has a desire to keep attracting students. Although this issue may not seem as a big enough issue today, it will eventually blow up and we will have a major job to do with our housing. Being proactive will only help enforce the new freshman housing policy. After all, all investments made in the name to higher education benefit all.