Should on-campus residency be required?

    When researching possible universities to attend, prospective students seek information about academic programs, costs, proximity to home, campus organizations, sports opportunities and housing options, to list a few.         These can be the deciding factors for university selection. Any shortcomings in these areas could potentially lead students to choose one university over another.
    Of the state schools in Kentucky, most students look to the University of Kentucky, University of Louisville, Western Kentucky University, Eastern Kentucky University, Northern Kentucky University, Murray State and other smaller institutions to achieve a bachelor’s degree.
    Among the schools named, three require students with 60 hours or less (freshmen and sophomores) to live in on-campus housing.
    One university requires all freshmen to live in university housing, and two other universities offer non-mandatory housing.
    Although I personally did take advantage of on-campus housing, the mandatory obligation Murray State enforces (with exemptions) is a policy that could deter students from enrolling at our school.
    Although it has been a few years since I lived in a residential college, I can easily recall several drawbacks to that lifestyle.
    I remember highlights such as sickness spreading in an epidemic fashion, randomly assigned roommates with disastrous results and being forced to mediate arguments between other residents.  Community baths meant wearing flip-flops while showering, and trying not to touch the hair-lined shower walls., Then there were the fire drills at all hours and loud music and noises coming through the walls while you’re trying to study.
    I know people can list plenty of benefits, but shouldn’t I get to choose whether life in a residential college suits me or not?
    Because freshmen and sophomore students are required to live on campus, residential colleges are over-crowded, and parking is a nightmare.
    With less parking spots than students living in residential colleges, students often must drive down to the stadium to park, which can be worse than you think if you’re carrying groceries up the hill.
    And forget attempting to put on your flashers to bring bags in quickly, because more than likely, you will be ticketed.  
    Students living in on-campus housing are also required to purchase a meal plan.
    Although some students take full advantage of this requirement, many others end up spending much more money than they would without a food plan.
    With limited dining options, students sometimes look to restaurants for variety, causing students to pay for on-campus meals they may never eat.
    And no, there are no refunds at the end of the semester for meals not eaten. 
    I am not saying that students should avoid living in on-campus housing. 
    I have plenty of good things to say about the residential college program, like the friendships you make, the helpful college heads, the team sports and the organized activities. 
    Again it comes down to this: Why can I not decide for myself?