EOU MISSION
EOU guides student inquiry through integrated, high quality liberal arts and professional programs that lead to responsible and reflective action in a diverse and interconnected world. As an educational, cultural and scholarly center, EOU connects the rural regions of Oregon to a wider world. Our beautiful setting and small size enhance personal attention our students receive, while partnerships with colleges, universities, agencies, and communities add to the educational possibilities of our region and state.
Residence Life Program Mission
RESIDENCE LIFE MISSION
To provide safe, comfortable, and convenient housing and ongoing developmental programming for resident students that is conducive to social, personal, and educational growth.
EOU Live-in Requirements
New students: All admitted first year students who enroll at EOU within one year of high school graduation for 8 credits or more regardless of class standing MUST live on campus for the full academic year (fall, winter and spring terms). Students beginning winter or spring terms must live on campus for the remainder of the academic year.
International students: All undergraduate International students are required to live on campus their first year at EOU.
Exceptions to this requirement must be requested by petition. Petition for waiver forms can be found here.
EXCEPTIONS to EOU Live-in Requirements
- Living at home with parents or legal guardian within the Union County boundaries.
- Marriage or a registered domestic partnership.
- Enrolled in an academic program that is housed outside Union County or requires students to live out of the area.
- Have a dependent that is living with you.
Other exceptions will be evaluated, but are generally not approved. If a waiver of the live-in requirement is approved after move-in to the residence halls, the cancellation of contract procedures outlined in the Room and Dining Contract will apply.
Student Affairs Objectives
- Provide safe, clean, and comfortable residential facilities.
- Support diverse resident student lifestyles.
- Enriching student life so it becomes an educational experience.
- Offering a well-balanced and attractive food service program.
- Creating and maintaining social and educational programs that serve unique student populations.
- Providing opportunities and assistance for all students in areas of personal growth and conflict resolution through counseling and other support programs.
Value of Living On Campus
Alexander Astin* completed two major studies and found that students living in residence halls were less likely to dropout and more likely to graduate in four years with a baccalaureate degree. The most important characteristic associated with finishing college was living on campus the freshman year. Research on the value of living on campus indicates it does have a positive influence on student perception of the social climate on campus, involvement is extracurricular activities, personal growth, and likelihood of graduation (Blimling, 2003).
Empirical research ** reveals seven areas in which residence halls have a significant impact on students (Blimling, 2003):
- Retention - They have greater expectations for academic achievement and are more likely to remain in college.
- Extracurricular involvement - More involved in campus activities. Students learn to work with others, manage budgets, express their ideas in meetings, negotiate with others, and follow through with projects.
- Positive feelings about campus social climate. Students feel that the campus is more comfortable, more academic, more supportive, and more enjoyable.
- Personal growth and development - Students meet more challenges, mature more quickly and learn to become interdependent.
- Interpersonal relationships - Students build strong friendships and share more experiences. They interact more, develop more tolerance, and experience more cultural diversity.
- Faculty interaction - Students have more contacts with faculty both in the residence halls and due to closer proximity to faculty offices. Also more contact with Residence Life professional staff.
- Higher overall satisfaction with their college experience.
Apply for a Waiver ( <<----downloadable/printable form)
Footnotes:
* Astin, A. (1973b). The impact of dormitory living on students. Educational Record, 54, 204-210.
* Astin, A. (1977a). Four critical years: Effects of college on beliefs, attitudes, and knowledge. San Francisco: Jossey-Bass. 1977.
** Blimling, G. The Resident Assistant, Applications and Strategies for Working with College Students in Residence Halls, sixth edition, pp 63-65, Hendall/Hunt Publishing Company, Dubuque, Iowa, 2003.
Contact Information
Eastern Oregon University
One University Boulevard
Hoke Union Building, 111
La Grande, OR 97850
Phone: 541-962-3553
E-Mail: reslife@eou.edu
Eastern Oregon University is a member of the Oregon University System