The Department of Housing and Residence Life will be enforcing an existing policy for incoming freshmen this Fall semester. The first and second year student policy requires students under the age of 20 to live in campus dorms.
This policy was first implemented back in Fall of 2018, but gradually lost momentum—until this semester. Unity Hall housing coordinator, John Martinez tells UTRGV Radio what prevented these policies from being enacted in the past.
[su_quote] “It’s existed right when we became UTRGV, it was a little difficult to implement. Why? Because we had a large number of students coming in, and it was kind of hard to monitor, okay where are all these students coming from? And also, being able to reach out. Now that we have accustomed to UTRGV and the numbers, now we whenever we view students who are going to be attending UTRGV, when we view the area they are coming from that’s when we reach out and let them know we have the first and second year policy.”
-John Martinez, housing coordinator[/su_quote]
On campus residents understand these policies and want others to do their research before submitting their applications later this year. Criminal justice senior and campus resident, Nidia Richards tells us what she thinks about the dorms and policies.
[su_quote] “I think it’s been a great experience, but I really don’t think it’s necessary especially here in the valley. Everyone lives pretty close by, and it definitely should be an option.”
-Nidia Richards, campus resident[/su_quote]
Martinez understands some students may not want to live on campus and explains the exceptions behind the first and second year student policy.
[su_quote] “If you are not from any of the counties here, then you’d be required to stay, and of course there are few exceptions. For instances, if you are from these areas for many of these counties, you would be exempt. If you are married, you could potentially be exempt. If you provide sufficient evidence of extreme medical condition, again you would be exempt.”
John Martinez, housing coordinator[/su_quote]
The Department of Housing and Residence Life believes that on campus housing offers academic success and social development for incoming freshmen. For more information, visit utrgv.edu/housing
