The number of freshmen receiving exemptions from OU’s policy requiring them to live in residence halls has more than doubled since the 2007-08 school year.
According to information obtained in an open-records request, OU gave 184 freshmen exemptions in 2007-08. The following school year, 365 freshmen were given exemptions. That number is up to 375 for this year.
“We have noticed that more of the local student population has applied for exemption, with finances being the main reason,” said Lauren Royston, Housing & Food spokeswoman.
Royston said the exemption policy has not changed recently.
The OU Housing Policy says freshmen students under 20 years of age are required to live in a University residence hall their first year, unless the student has earned 24 or more hours of college credit in residence, exemption from this policy is by special permission only.
Brad Marsh, a student assistant at Housing and Food Services, told The Daily in July that students living with family members within 50 miles of campus are not required to live in the residence halls.
Zack Blackford, University College freshman, said he was exempt from living on campus this year because he lives within 50 miles of campus at his home.
“Overall, it’s much more convenient, especially financially,” Blackford said.
Blackford said the process for obtaining an exemption for financial reasons and living within 50 miles of campus wasn’t too difficult.
Elizabeth Craig, University College freshman, is also from the Norman area, but is experiencing her first year of college by living in the residence halls.
“My parents wanted me to live in the dorms,” Craig said. “I didn’t really want to, but they wanted me to get the college experience.”
As a National Merit Scholar, Craig said her tuition is covered, which she said makes living in the residence halls this year affordable enough.
“The convenience of being able to utilize financial aid and work study to off-set living expenses, as well as the close proximity to classes, restaurants and free tutoring keeps students living on campus,” Royston said.
The Oklahoma Daily is pleased to provide you the opportunity to share your thoughts about this article. We encourage lively debate on the issues of the day, but we ask you refrain from using profanity or other offensive speech, engaging in personal attacks or name-calling, posting advertising, or straying from the topic at hand. To comment, you must be a registered user of OUDaily.com. Thanks for taking the time to offer your thoughts.
You must be logged in to leave a comment. Log in | Register