Temple University is going to start requiring freshmen to live in on-campus housing, beginning in the fall 2027 semester, college administrators said.
First-year students under the age of 21 will be required to reside in college dormitories on the North Philadelphia campus for their first two semesters, Temple leaders wrote in an Aug. 19 message to the university community.
Any young person who wishes to commute to class from a family home in the City of Philadelphia and parts of Delaware, Montgomery, Burlington, Camden and Gloucester counties will be permitted to do so, officials said. A list of pre-approved zip codes has been posted on Temple’s website.
Individuals can also apply for an exemption if they are married; have children; have completed at least 30 credits at an accredited school; are enrolled part-time or mostly online; demonstrate a significant financial hardship; or have a medical condition that cannot be accommodated in campus housing.
President John Fry’s administration, in the letter, said that the policy “gives Temple an important opportunity to strengthen student success by creating a more intentional first-year experience and connecting students earlier to the people, resources and support that can help them persist and thrive.”
Temple leadership indicated that they believe the change will result in increased retention and graduation rates.
“Research consistently shows that students who live on campus benefit from a more productive and rewarding college experience,” the policy states.
More than 60% of all four-year universities in the United States have some version of a freshman residential requirement, according to Temple.
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