SAN DIEGO (KGTV) -- Big changes coming to San Diego State University aim to keep students on track to graduate on time and with less debt.
The school is rolling out its Sophomore Success program, which requires non-local students to live on campus for both their freshman and sophomore years.
The first phase is underway and includes the 2017 freshmen class of Guardian Scholar, Nursing, Honors College, out-of-state, student athletes and international students to live on campus their second year in 2018.
It will be fully implemented in the fall of 2019, requiring all non-local students to live on campus their sophomore year.
"For students who think we're just doing this to keep students on campus longer, there really is a huge amount of research that tells us our sophomores nationally and at SDSU struggle," said Kara Bauer, Director of Residential Education at SDSU. "We want to make sure we're setting in place a foundation to graduate in a timely manner."
According to school officials, data show that students who live on campus are better prepared academically, enjoy an increased sense of community and campus connectedness, and graduate at faster rates than those who do not.
Participants do not have to participate in a meal plan and can choose to live in a suite or apartment community on campus.
