Some incoming Texas A&M-CC freshman soon will be required to live on campus. It's a new residency requirement policy that will go into effect in Fall 2020, impacting students who live outside of the Coastal Bend.
The policy states that most first-year students will be required to leave on campus for at least two semesters.
An A&M-CC spokeswoman said it benefits incoming freshman in a number of ways, including having a higher GPA, more access to campus resources, graduating on-time, and allowing them to get more involved in on-campus activities.
About 90 percent of universities in the country have a similar policy. A&M-CC Executive Director of Strategic Engagement Initiatives Dr. Amanda Drum said the university decided to implement the residency requirement because it built a new residence hall several years ago, and now can accommodate more students.
"We wanted to monitor the situation for a little bit to make sure that we were going to be able to accommodate everyone, and so now we're able to implement (the residency requirement)," she said.
KRIS 6 News spoke to one student who likes the policy.
"I think it's a good opportunity for students to be able to get involved in the university," said freshman Alexander Gostanian. "Since they are on campus, they're more likely to probably join organizations."
However not all students KRIS 6 News spoke to are on-board.
"There are cheaper alternatives that are very close to campus, and they (students) can live there instead," said freshman Juan Rios. "I feel like it's hurting the ones who can't afford to live on campus."
Some students will be exempt from the residency requirement. They include those whom:
- have a permenant address in Nueces, Aransas, Jim Wells, Kleberg or San Patricio counties, or live inside the zip codes 78340 (Bayside) and 78393 (Woodsboro)
- graduated from high school more than one year before starting classes at the university
- or are 20 years old or older.
Special exemptions are considered by the university, for example, living with family. Students must fill out a Special Residency Exemption Request Form to qualify.
For more information about the residency requirement, click here.
