Every fall students face a new decision: whether to live in adorm, at home or in their own apartments.
At The University of Memphis, only a small number of studentschoose the first option, officials said.
The U of M houses only 10 percent of the student body, saidPeter Groenendyk, associate director of Residence Life. In the2002-2003 school year, The U of M held about 2,080 students in itsresidence halls, not including the family housing complex.
But for those who do choose to live on campus, Groenendyk saysthere is a valuable experience to gain.
"We feel that students may say that they don't enjoy living oncampus, and at the time it may be the most dreadful thing, butlater we find that they did enjoy the experience," Groenendyksaid.
Students say they gain more both socially and academicallyliving in a residence hall, he added.
"There are generally two things that make students progress incollege, academic capability and a connection to the institution,"he said.
Students may find more structure and guidance in a residencehall than is available at home, and many residents find comfort inthe compatibility of fellow residents, Groenendyk said.
Residents also discover that living on campus relieves thememotionally and mentally from their family concerns, he added.
Tiffany Collins, a 20-year-old U of M junior, has lived in RawlsHall for the past two years. She knows all about campus life.
"Living on campus is more like being a 'real' college student,"Collins said.
Collins moved from Holly Springs, Miss., to attend The U of M asan engineering technology major.
"I had no money, no car and just enough financial aid to live oncampus," she said.
However, Collins says there are advantages and disadvantages toliving on campus.
"In a dorm, I don't have to worry about paying the light bill orcable bill, getting furniture or going to a laundry-mat. I do haveto deal with crazy [Resident Advisors] and community baths, butit's OK," she said.
Loretha Wright, junior biology major, agrees with Tiffany butsees other advantages and disadvantages to residence life.
"I like being able to walk to class instead of having to fighttraffic," Wright said. "I don't like having unsuitable roommates,foul smelling hallways and not enough food options, but I don'thave to pay all of those extra bills."
The primary disadvantage of campus living for some students isthe price, varying from $1,125 per semester for Mynders Hall to$2,175 for the Carpenter Complex in the 2003-2004 school year.
However, the housing costs, which some see as expensive, arestill cheaper than rent and utility bills at most apartments, butwith constant fee increases, that may not last for long.
The average annual increase in room and board is 5 percent, saidGroenendyk, who added that the cost is still lower than all otherTennessee colleges.
So when it comes to deciding whether or not to live on campus,Wright offered some advice: "Think about what suits you. If you arewilling to commute, go ahead, but if you are lazy then stay oncampus because it's hard to get up for your classes in themorning."
