From the Newsstands: This story appeared in The Eagle's April 2025 print edition.
American University will enforce a two-year housing requirement starting in Fall 2025, citing the University’s “commitment to student thriving.”
The new housing policy will go into effect starting with the incoming Class of 2029. The University notes that its D.C. peer institutions — George Washington University and Georgetown University — already have a two-year residency requirement, according to a news message released by the University on Nov. 20 regarding the change.
The Housing and Residence Life website also notes that by living on campus, students will have access to a supportive and accessible environment that will ensure a “seamless transition to college life,” create a stronger community and inspire “a vibrant and impactful social life.”
Kristine Roque, a freshman in the School of Communication who currently lives off campus, said that while it is tougher to make friends living off campus, making that choice is important.
“I felt really liberat[ed], and now [living on campus] is being forced upon the students,” Roque said. “I don’t think that if I was an incoming freshman and I knew that, I wouldn’t go here.”
Living on campus will also enhance students’ academic and personal success by helping to “develop [students’] independence, time management, and interpersonal skills within a supportive environment,” according to the residency requirement website.
Scarlett Timm, a freshman in the College of Arts and Sciences is currently living on campus but plans to move off campus for her sophomore year. Although she believes that it is important to live on campus for freshman year to socialize, living off campus is more effective Sophomore year.
“You get a lot of other amenities as well, living off campus,” Timm said. “Some places have nice patios or in house washing and drying. That doesn’t cost extra money.”
A campus working group was established in fall 2023 and remains active, according to Assistant Vice President and Deputy Chief Communications Officer Elizabeth Deal. Other contributors included leadership from the Office of General Counsel and the Division of Student Affairs.
Students who may not be able to afford the new residency requirement are encouraged to reach out to the Office of Financial Aid about possible assistance options, according to Deal.
The news message also reassures that upperclassmen and graduate students will still have the option to live on campus. The message notes that new transfer students will not be included in this new residency requirement, but if they would like to live on campus, they can submit an application by the normal deadline.
According to Deal, there may be changes in housing assignments to house different student populations as they are needed, but the University is not currently adding any on-campus housing options.
This article was edited by Payton Anderson, Tyler Davis and Abigail Turner. Copy editing done by Olivia Citarella and Luna Jinks.
