The first Associated Students of UNM Joint Council meeting of the semester was held Wednesday evening in the SUB, where students representing various departments on campus gave their input on ongoing UNM initiatives; student and administration led.
“We are trying to make ASUNM as diverse and inclusive as we can,” said Kyle Biederwolf, president of the undergraduate student governing body.
The goal of Joint Council is to give an opportunity to undergraduates to participate and have a voice in student government, with representatives from Athletics, LGBTQ, Residence Life and other UNM departments present to provide input.
Speakers included Terry Babbitt of UNM’s Enrollment Management Division, who presented on a freshman living requirement that the University is considering, as well as Gus Pedrotty, a senior psychology major who is leading efforts to establish an on-campus taproom.
Babbitt emphasized the potential positive impact that requiring freshman to live on campus would have on student housing capacity, affordability, enrollment and safety.
“We want student life to be exuberant, safe and successful,” Babbitt said.
There would be exceptions to the new policy, should it be implemented. For example, students who live with family within a 30-mile radius of the University would not have to move, including freshmen who are over the age of 20, married, have children or have medical concerns.
A broader exception is if undue hardship could occur due to a student living on campus, Babbitt said.
Students living on campus do better academically, he said. There is strong correlation between higher second semester test scores, campus life and proximity to resources.
Babbitt said completion rates are higher through four and six year graduate programs, too.
“We want to create a sense of place that has a buzz about it,” UNM President Bob Frank said. “Students do better when they live in the dorms, it creates engagement with the University and it helps students graduate the fastest. It is a way for people to spread out and diversify their interests within the University.”
Students living on campus can already conveniently access their classes, tutoring services and La Posada dining without having to commute to campus, which contributes to successful outcomes, he said.
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Melanie Sparks, executive director of Institutional Support Services, said safety is paramount, a fact they have taken into consideration. The coalition has partnered with the UNM Police Department in an effort create a team that works 24/7 to keep students and the areas they live in safe.
“We believe residence halls provide a safe environment,” Babbitt said. “Last year there were 30 crimes reported on campus, compared to 500 in the area surrounding campus.”
Conner Rusch, council representative for the College of Engineering questioned whether student housing will have enough space for all incoming freshman, plus upperclassman who want to continue living on campus.
Capacity can also be expanded in the event that student housing is full, Babbitt said. Rooms can be rearranged and Lobo Village can be utilized.
In addition, discussions on refurbishing student housing have also taken place, he said.
Innovate Albuquerque will also add 310 apartment-style units more suited for graduate and upper level students to make room for freshman on campus, Sparks said.
“The primary goal is for freshman and sophomores to live on campus,” she said. “Ultimately, the final goal is to accommodate everyone who wants to live with us.”
