According to 麻豆原创 Housing and Residence Life, students who live on campus are more likely to graduate than those who live off campus. In 2011-2012, the department saw the first-year retention rate of students who lived on campus jump up to 88.96 percent.

In addition, students who reside in one of the 14 living-learning communities offering specialized programming and academic support experienced a first-year retention rate of 91.66 percent.

鈥淟iving on campus increases a student鈥檚 engagement with the university,鈥� said Jimmy Moore, an assistant director for Housing and Residence Life. 鈥淩esidents are more likely to have friends, connect to resources, get involved in organizations and go to class.鈥�

Students living on campus also achieved higher GPAs and graduation rates than those who lived off campus. Housing and Residence Life attributes the numbers to its highly-trained staff and specialized communities for out-of-state and transfer students and students in the Burnett Honors College and other academic programs.

鈥淟iving-learning housing creates a community,鈥� said Moore. 鈥溌槎乖� is a big place. Some students find the dedicated programming and services of a smaller living-learning community to be more supportive. In addition to a supportive community feeling, on campus communities also provide special programs, resources, workshops and access to academic advisors.鈥�

Campus housing includes 57 residence buildings, 13 communities and 7,579 beds. Communities are staffed by student resident assistants who plan academic activities and programs for residents.

麻豆原创 freshman Jenny Ho said that living on campus in a living-learning community has helped her adjust to living away from home.

鈥淚鈥檝e enjoyed the benefit of having a shared interest with fellow residents and also having classes together,鈥� said Ho. 鈥淟iving on campus has not only made 麻豆原创 my home, literally, but also in a sentimental sense because I feel like I belong in the 麻豆原创 community.鈥�

Ho plans to become a resident assistant next year to help other students make the transition to college life.

鈥淧eople talk about the 鈥榝ull college experience,鈥� and living on campus definitely helps you to accomplish that, in addition to allowing you to easily get involved in student organizations, go to all of the amazing events on campus and still stay focused on your studies.鈥�

Beginning next fall, there will be space for 600 students in the luxury apartments located across the street from the Bright House Networks Stadium. NorthView offers several floor plans, including 2-bedroom, 2-bath; 4-bedroom, 4-bath; and 4-bed, 4-bath lofts, which will have living rooms on both levels.

The apartments will be managed by 麻豆原创 Housing and Residence Life. NorthView is being developed by Alan Ginsburg with Finfrock and Orlando-based Cuhaci & Peterson Architects LLC designing the project.

鈥溌槎乖� Housing has been chosen as the manager because we provide a seamless connection to university resources, such as academic advising and campus events, as well as systems like my麻豆原创, which allows students to easily apply and pay for housing with scholarships, grants, and loans,鈥� said Jimmy Moore, assistant director for 麻豆原创 Housing and Residence Life.

NorthView features include dedicated garage parking, a rooftop sky deck, fitness center, game room, resort style pool, and flat-screen televisions in each apartment.

The apartments will be fully-furnished with modern appliances and furniture with upscale finishes. Electricity, high-speed wireless internet, cable TV, water and parking will be included in the rental rate with no caps on energy usage.

NorthView will be built among two faith centers for community gatherings and student resources. One is currently dedicated to Hillel, the Jewish student organization. The affiliation of other has not yet been decided.

Students who apply by the Feb. 1 priority deadline will be invited to attend an exclusive room sign-up event where they will be able to select the unit in which they will live.

鈥淲ith only 600 spaces available, we expect to fill up rather quickly,鈥� said Moore. 鈥淪tudents who are interested should certainly apply as soon as possible.鈥�

Visit 聽 for more information on applying.

For the second year in a row, 麻豆原创 Housing and Residence Life鈥檚 very own Jimmy Moore presents, 鈥淭he Ultimate Knight.” The event, which has been described by many freshmen as, 鈥淢y favorite part of Orientation鈥� is designed to be the kick-off to a yearlong focus for the new initiative in the .

Many offices were involved in the development of the program throughout the past academic year. The current LINK program will be the conduit to promote The Ultimate Knight throughout the academic year. This program is a division-wide effort to encourage first year students to acquire the tools and resources available through to get them started on the right foot. Moore, who wrote a book, based on the presentation he created, shares his compelling story of coming to 麻豆原创 as an orphan, and succeeding through the experience and support he received from student affairs professionals. He reminds the students, 鈥淐ollege will change your life. The person sitting here today will not be the same person who walks across the stage at graduation.鈥�

鈥淕et Smart鈥�, one of the nine tenets, focuses on academics, the keys to college success take students from the classroom to the residence hall, the Student Union and beyond ever reminding them to, 鈥淕et Involved, Get Global, Get Savvy, Get Diversified, Get Healthy, Get to work, Get Real鈥� and with a message of balance and finding your own path to 鈥淕et it all together!鈥� Feedback from students has been overwhelmingly positive. Program leaders are expecting a great year.

is a department in the Division of Student Development and Enrollment Services.