|
|||||
 | |||||
|
Marketing and University Communication UW-Green Bay, CL 815 2420 Nicolet Drive Green Bay, WI 54311-7001 (920) 465-2626 E-mail: hildebrs@uwgb.edu Last update: 9/26/07 |
|
|
In
the News Archive - Year:
January 24, 2005 More at UWGB choose dorm life University meets goal of housing 40 percent of students on campus By Cynthia Hodnett It would mean that Elsner wouldn't enjoy the convenience of having nearly
everything he needs at his fingertips or made as many lasting friendships.
"I lived off campus in the first semester of my junior year, and it
was hard balancing work, school and paying bills," said Elsner, who shares
an apartment in Tom Haevers Hall with three other students. He is also
a resident assistant at Haevers Hall, which opened in fall 2004.
"Moving back to campus, it's a lot easier because you don't have to
worry about paying your rent because it's already paid for with your tuition,"
he said. "I don't have to drive back and forth to campus. If I had continued
to live off campus, I wouldn't have been involved with pep band, an RA
(resident assistant) or got involved with student government."
Elsner is among nearly 2,000 UWGB students living on campus this academic
year. The last three years have brought a 23 percent increase in the number
of students living on campus, said Glenn Gray, director of the Office
of Residence Life.
"We still have a number of those (commuters). But I think UWGB has established
itself as a residential college now," Gray said. "Students and parents
alike know that living on campus is a very important part of the college
experience. I've spoken with parents who, even if they live in the city
of Green Bay, want their son or daughter to have that experience of living
on campus."
The retention rate of freshmen living on campus is 9 percent greater
than those living off campus, Gray said. A student living on campus also
is more likely to get involved with student groups and activities.
"They know that living on campus will get their son or daughter involved
with campus life, meeting other students, personal development and academic
success," he said.
The growth in resident students can be attributed to the opening of
three residence halls, Gray said. They have allowed the university to
meet its goal of housing 40 percent of its student population. About 4,500
full-time undergraduates attend UWGB.
While most students living on campus are from Northeastern Wisconsin,
the university is providing housing for more out-of-state students, international
students and national exchange students, he said.
The 26 housing facilities on campus consist of nine apartment buildings,
11 residence halls, five apartment-style residence halls and one house
maintained by the university.
Freshman residence halls have private bathrooms, while housing for upper
classmen — which are mainly apartment-style — also include private
bedrooms and fully furnished living rooms and kitchens.
"These are a different style than the older residence halls that included
the communal bathrooms," Gray said. "Students today are expecting more
in convenience, style and service. They are looking for something more
intimate."
Construction, renovations and social activities at campus housing are
funded by the room and board rates that students pay, not with taxpayer
dollars, Gray said.
UWGB recently began accommodating a growing number of students who need
housing during winter and summer breaks, Gray said. About 125 students
are expected to need housing this summer, compared with 24 last summer,
he said. Nine residential halls were opened during break over the last
three years. This year, 15 housing facilities are expected to be open,
he said.
"Part of this demand is driven by an increasing number of students on
campus who hold employment off campus," Gray said. "Where they may work,
certain employers can't afford to allow them to be gone. One example is
retail. Retail has high demand over the holiday period and would rather
have them working. So we've tried to accommodate the students' needs."
Heather Bloch a senior psychology major, stayed in campus housing this
summer. Bloch said such options were attractive to her when she applied
to the college as a freshman.
"I talked to someone in admissions and they said the saying was that
students come here for three reasons: the trees, toilets and tunnels,"
said Bloch, who now shares an apartment with three other students in Liebl
Hall. "I like that we have the options to stay on campus. I've got my
own bedroom but still have roommates and are around people my own age.
Once you go off campus, you don't have that."
| |
