SMU to require Sophmores to live on campus

[couch 'em]

This is all just a money making scheme. The dorms are way, way more expensive than they need to be to break even.

[Water Pony]

Leave the "I'm too cool to live in a dorm" mentality aside. Living on campus for two years is a good idea on many levels, while adding to the dynamics of the college experience.

Notre Dame, Vanderbilt and Duke, in addition to elite eastern schools, are investing in student housing for Under Graduates. The college experience is maximized on campus, not Greenville Avenue, where they can go at any time.

Fraternities and sororities add capacity, but the primary options should be freshman and sophmore quads, etc. Students get to move off as Juniors.

Remember, when you are on campus more, attendance at sporting events and other activities increase.

[Mustang007]

This has been in the pipeline for quite a while--several years. The plan was approved several years ago by the board. Two things to address here: dorm renovations and the sophomore requirement.

Renovations on four halls begin at the end of this semester with Shuttles. It will be a two year process. Read more here: http://www.smu.edu/housing/whatsnew.asp

The sophomore housing requirement will include any on campus housing: dorms, greek housing, SMU apartments, and new housing. All signs point that any new housing built will be more apt/suite style.

It's not all about money...it's because a lot of schools that are like SMU are requiring students to live on campus for more than a year. (i.e. Vanderbilt, Wake Forest has a 4-year requirement.) Why is new construction on hold right now for housing? A decision on the Bush library.

[J.T.supporta]

SMU doesnt need more money. I see it as being a trick to trap students in to paying countless student fines for AVs or for parking tickets.

SMU makes millions on parking tickets. When my aunt was at SMU in the 80s, she told me she got a total for 50 parking tickets in four years and knew every officer and parking attendant by name.

[blkjack34]

I lived on campus for 2 years and as a junior, I now live off campus. It is cheaper, I don't have to buy a meal plan that I couldn't fully use and I can do/ drink whatever I want. Living on campus was fun, but now I can cook all my own food for half the price of a meal plan and have my own room and bathroom for cheaper than a dorm. Unless SMU starts providing affordable and competitive housing, they are going to continue losing students after the required first (soon to be second) year.

[J.T.supporta]

That is very true. By living on campus, you are FORCED to purchase a meal plan. Meal plans range from almost $500-$2000.

Thats how SMU gets your 'much needed' money.

[couch 'em]

SMU doesnt need more money. I see it as being a trick to trap students in to paying countless student fines for AVs or for parking tickets.

SMU makes millions on parking tickets. When my aunt was at SMU in the 80s, she told me she got a total for 50 parking tickets in four years and knew every officer and parking attendant by name.

My favorite is when they search your room and fine you for having an extension cord that isn't rated for outside use, or fine you an ungodly amount of money for chipped paint on the walls, when they use paint so cheap that leaning against the wall can cause a chip.

[J.T.supporta]

That is very true. The UP fire chief is very strict when it comes to fire violations. Sure SMU is looking out for peoples saftey but a simple extension cord shouldnt cost a student $150 for a violation.

[mrydel]

SMU doesnt need more money. I see it as being a trick to trap students in to paying countless student fines for AVs or for parking tickets.

SMU makes millions on parking tickets. When my aunt was at SMU in the 80s, she told me she got a total for 50 parking tickets in four years and knew every officer and parking attendant by name.

Curious. Did your aunt ever figure out the coorelation between the tickets and her parking? Had she parked properly, it is my guess that the tickets would have magically stopped.

[couch 'em]

SMU PD will give tickets even if you are parked legally. I got one once, took the parking map and a highlighted print out of the official parking rules to the Patterson Hall (where the cops are) and showed the guy, politely, and he got very rude with me. It hurt my feelings. Despite me being clearly right, he refused to admit his cop screwed up, and made me wait for the review board at the end of the year. At the board the cop kept saying my ticket was legitimate. Everyone else immediately defended me. One person laughted. Literally!! Yet the cop refused to admit being wrong. It was amazing.

[mrydel]

I must be very lucky. I parked legally for 4 years and never got ticketed.

[J.T.supporta]

That is very true. SMU gives out tickets even if you are parked in a legal spot. They find ways to give you tickets through loop holes. SMU does not have great parking so it is hard to find a spot no matter where you park.