Last spring, Residence Life changed the requirements for students to qualify living off-campus.

The basic requirements, which include students having to fulfill their first two years on campus, also now require students to be at least 20 years old before the beginning of the current fall semester, have been out of high school for at least two years and have completed at least 12 credit hours.

The changes also mean those who have served 12 months with the military are excluded from living on campus.

Josh Lawrie, the assistant director of Residence Life, said the changes were to align the University with other schools.

“These changes came to align us better with our sister institutions. Our policies align with other institutions within the state,” Lawrie said.

For sophomore Christa Federico, the changes do not affect her, but she thinks the changes make sense.

“It makes sense. If you’re transferring to BG, you can live on your own,” Federico said.

While the changes have been in effect for the fall semester, Residence Life hasn’t noticed any changes in the number of students living on campus.

“[The number of students] have been steady with the retention rate, has been high. Our capacity of amount filled is really high,” Lawrie said. “Students have a really good experience with our residential communities. We have students who are not even required to live with us who live with us because our programming and experience. We have not seen a major impact due to the change.”

While students live on campus for the experience, some find living off campus cheaper.

Keagan Gertz, a sophomore, is a student who thinks off campus living is cheaper.

“It’s cheaper [to live off campus], that’s pretty much the biggest reason though. Everything else is an inconvenience because it’s off campus and you have to drive here. It’s worth it though if rent’s cheaper,” Gertz said.

While the cost can be a factor in keeping students off campus, Federico wants the apartment lifestyle.

“I’m already looking at apartments with friends. I spent a lot of time at my friends’ apartments already because it’s more homey than what we have,” Federico said. “I was pleasantly surprised last year. I would only [stay on campus] if I was in the apartment style living. I would not stay in a regular dorm.”