The Benefit of Living On-Campus
Why does George Fox University require most students to live on campus? What is the value-added purpose of expecting a traditional undergraduate to live on a college campus? Why is it beneficial to live on campus?
We strongly believe (and research supports) that there are significant benefits for students who live on campus. These benefits easily link to the educational mission of GFU and our desire to promote student success. GFU’s core values are founded on its affirmation that the university provides a Christ-centered place to live, work and receive a strong education. The university believes that the entire GFU experience is integral for assisting students in their educational and maturation process. Living within campus housing is a key component to the institution’s philosophy of educating students.
Listed below are some of the benefits observed by researchers for those living on campus:
1. RELATIONAL: Research indicates that students who live on campus have significantly more social interaction with peers. This connection with peers is important because, many students will leave a university if they feel disconnected and marginalized from their community. These relationships also provide a place where students can “unpackage” their academic experiences with their peers
2. MENTORS: There is significant more social interaction that an on-campus student has with faculty and administrators. This connection with faculty permits a student to become more engaged in their area of study; which leads to deepening their interest and focus on their discipline.
3. SATISFACTION: On campus residents are more likely to be involved in co-curricular activities and use campus facilities. As Ernest Boyer observed some years ago, over a hundred hours of a week is spent outside of classes and studying. Use of facilities and participation in co-curricular events rounds out and augments what is learned in the classroom. This further reinforces their satisfaction with their university experience.
Research by Alexander Astin, Gregory Blimling, Ernest Pascarella, Patrick Terenzini, Paula Wilcox, Sandra Winn , Marylynn Fyvie-Gauld expand and all shed further light on these observations.
David M. Johnstone 7/25/2008