MU freshmen make their marks on campus
by Jessica England, posted Sept. 29, 2008
The MU freshman class size has been increasing by one or two hundred students each year for the past several years. But this year’s freshman class record broke the enrollment record by almost 800. The first day of classes, there were 5,812 students enrolled as freshmen, making the overall school total 29,761, according to an article published in the Maneater, an MU student newspaper.
It’s an impressive number, but it could be more than the students’ bargained for. The massive-sized freshman class has led to many campus-wide changes, such as more faculty members and a higher demand for housing.
Many freshmen live in the dorms provided on campus, but due to the abnormally large class this year, some are forced to live off campus. Because MU had to find more housing for the freshmen in a short amount of time, they rented apartments at Campus View and Campus Lodge and named them Tiger Digs and Mizzou Quads.
In addition to extra housing, more instructors have been added to MU’s campus increasing the number of classes and sections open to the students. This can help students get the classes they need out of the way earlier instead of waiting because they are too full, according to an article published in the Maneater, an MU student newspaper.
Freshman Valerie Geroff thinks that living in the dorm has been more beneficial to her.
“Living in the dorms has been a great experience so far because you meet so many new people and it’s so easy to borrow sugar or clothes from your neighbor whenever you need it,” Geroff said.
Residence halls are a great way for freshmen to get involved and discover the MU experience. Many dorms have Freshmen Interest Groups, otherwise known as FIGs, that help freshmen learn more about themselves and each other. Also, there are different activities that students in residence halls participate in to keep active and excited about MU.
Laura Scism, another freshman at MU, commented on living in the new student apartments. “I love living in the apartments as a freshman because we get our own space, it’s not too far from campus, and it’s just as easy as meeting people in the dorms,” Scism said.
The apartments give the freshmen their own freedom and responsibility, while keeping them involved in campus activities. Freshmen living in the apartments are bused throughout the day back and forth to campus.
“It’s a big step from high school to a Big 12 University, but the freshmen seem to be adjusting well so far,” Geroff said.
There are many different views on the new freshmen class, but MU is just taking one step at a time or in most cases one year at a time.
“It doesn’t matter where you live as long as you have ambition to get involved and have fun,” Scism said.
