Laughter. Open doors. Burnt popcorn. Spontaneous movie nights. Free food in the lobby…. These are the sights, sounds, and smells of residence hall living. During the end of fall quarter and beginning of winter quarter many residents begin to question whether they should renew their housing contract or not. Groups of friends begin to make early decisions on whether they will continue to live together, either in a hall or off-campus in a house or apartment. Gabrielle Coleman, a student living in Morrison Tower, loves her experience saying, “I actually enjoy living in the residence halls. I think it is a great way to meet people along with getting involved with different programs on campus and/or in the halls.” Colleman also states that she will continue to reside on campus in University Housing as she continues her time here at Ohio State.

The prospect of private bathrooms, personal kitchens, and living east of High Street is all too appealing to some residents who can’t wait to begin a more independent lifestyle than that of their first year in the residence halls. Others enjoy the community, the safety, and the proximity to classes that the residence halls have to offer. University Housing requires that all first year students live on campus if they are not living at home, but does not require on campus living for upperclassmen. Many students are left to choose between the residence halls and houses or apartments off campus. Taso Dimitriadis, an Assistant Hall Director and current graduate student in the Higher Education/Student Affairs program states: “Students may choose to stay for the community and opportunities and they may choose to move out for independence and experience.”

University Housing believes that spending the first year in a residence hall is very important for easing the transition from high school to college, a challenge that proves difficult for many students. Even Ohio State’s President Gee agrees as he commits money, energy, and research to improving the residential experience for students on campus. OSU’s leadership wants to create the ‘true collegiate experience’ at Ohio State, a vibrant intellectual community where students are fully engaged in campus activities and opportunities. President Gee believes that “when students live and participate in residential programs — close to libraries, labs, galleries, theaters and student activities — they have a more meaningful learning experience.”

Thomas Morgan, a third year student currently living in Morrison Tower, chose to move off campus during the 2007-2008 academic year (his sophomore year), after spending his freshman year living in Morrison’s Spanish Language and Culture Learning Community. Morgan shared his reasoning for moving off campus and then returning to the residence halls. He writes, “I thought that moving off campus would be a great experience and, of course, cheaper. I was looking forward to the freedom from the halls and being closer to my car. Unfortunately I found that living off campus made it easier to skip classes and, surprisingly, to be unsocial. Frequently you find that the only people around to talk to are your roommates. Also, living with friends is not a good idea. Everyone tells you that living with friends will end badly and you think ‘that wont happen to me.’ Well, it does. And when you aren’t speaking to your roommates and you don’t have the benefit of 500 other residents to go talk to it can get pretty lonely. So in the end I decided to move back into the residence hall and so far have not regretted my decision.”

Like many students, Morgan elected to live in a Learning Community (LC), the Spanish Language and Culture Community, one of over forty programs that University Housing offers. These Learning Communities provide a great experience for students to come together over common interests or academic pursuits. Research suggests that student satisfaction is quite high when students who share these commonalities live together, and in some cases have similar academic schedules. As a Spanish major, Morgan is always excited at the prospect of being able to walk down the hall to find help with his Spanish homework, study for a test, or simply perfect his Spanish conversation skills.

As a junior, Morgan’s move back into the residence halls may seem unconventional, but he points to the fact that, “there are always swipes for food, guaranteed security, the bonus of a Resident Advisor for help, bills paid in full, good proximity to classes, and lots of activities always going on.” The decision is not always easy and can often be impacted by the preference of parents or guardians who foot the bill for college.

There are benefits to both types of living and to make a great decision will take deep thinking and reflection. Major reasons that students typically move off campus are that the costs are perceived to be lower and often times apartments and houses offer single rooms. University Housing, however, offers safety, 24/7 staffing in cases of emergency, and convenience. There are pros and cons about each decision and certain benefits will result from whichever path you choose. Talk to students who have chosen to either move off campus, stay in the residence halls, or like Thomas Morgan, do both. Whatever you decide to do, make sure it is the right decision for you and that you are supported by your roommates, friends, and family members. Burnt popcorn and spontaneous movie nights can certainly happen any place where friends congregate.