News        from ABAC

Michael D. Chason Director of Public Relations ABAC 30 -- 2802 Moore Highway Tifton, GA 31793-2601 Phone 229-391-5055 Fax 229-391-5056 mchason@abac.edu

IMMEDIATE MARCH 15, 2007

ABAC FRESHMAN HOUSING REQUIREMENT NOW IN PLACE

TIFTON—Construction of a brand new student housing complex designed specifically for freshmen will allow Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College to enforce its long-standing Freshman Residency Requirement for students who begin classes during the 2007 fall semester.

Dr. Gail Dillard, Vice President for Student Affairs, said all ABAC freshmen are required to live on campus unless they meet specific criteria.

“Living on campus provides many opportunities for positive student development both in and out of the classroom,” Dillard said. “First year students often need the supportive environment of the on-campus community.”

Dillard said the Freshman Residency Requirement has been in place at ABAC for many years but the college never had the space to house all the incoming freshmen. With the addition of the $17 million ABAC Lakeside project in August, ABAC will have housing for over 1,300 students.

All first year students must live on campus unless they are living with and commuting daily from the legal residence of a parent, legal guardian, or grandparent within 50 miles of Tifton. Other exceptions to the rule exempt students if they are married, a single parent, 21 years of age prior to Sept. 1, or they have attended another college for a minimum of two semesters.

Freshmen who fit any of these scenarios must have permission from the college to live off campus. All entering freshmen who do not apply for housing must submit a waiver application stating one of the listed reasons. Special cases will go to Bernice Hughes, Director and Dean of Student Life and Housing.

Every freshman student who does not plan to live on campus must sign a waiver. This includes local students living with their parents. A notary public is required to accompany a parent’s signature unless the waiver is signed at the Office of Student Life and Housing. Without a signed waiver, students will not be permitted to register for classes.

Hughes said students should sign up for housing as soon as possible. The ABAC Lakeside complex will open in August with room for 489 students. Some freshmen will also live at the ABAC Place apartments, which have a capacity of 835 students.

“The sooner students apply for housing, the sooner we can meet their needs,” said Hughes. “We want living on campus to be a very positive experience for our students.”

Students can review the freshman housing requirements at www.abac.edu/housing . Fall term classes begin at ABAC on Aug. 20.

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