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Starting in fall 2022, Kansas State University will require incoming Manhattan campus first-year students to live on campus.

Starting in fall 2022, Kansas State University will require incoming Manhattan campus first-year students to live on campus during their first two semesters, according to a news release from K-State. The residency requirement is intended to enhance student success.

“National research and an analysis of university-specific data both show a statistically significant difference in the first-year retention rate and cumulative first-year grade point average between students who lived on campus versus students who lived off campus,” said Thomas Lane, K-State vice president for student life and dean of students. “K-State first-year, full-time students living on campus average higher GPAs, stay in school in higher numbers and graduate faster.”

Based on data for fall 2018, K-State had an 87.6% retention rate for freshmen who lived on campus compared with a 79.9% rate for freshmen living off campus, the release said. For fall 2019, 5% more first-year students who lived on campus stayed in school as compared with first-year students who lived off campus.

K-State is not alone in its first-year residency requirement, the release noted. The university will join all other Kansas Regents institutions, with the exception of the University of Kansas, in requiring freshmen students to live on campus.

Students may apply for an exemption to the policy. Exemptions may be granted if a student plans to commute from the home of a parent/guardian or close relative who lives within 40 miles of the Manhattan campus or if the student will live in other approved organized student housing.