In a typical year, The University of New Mexico requires first-time undergraduate students (not qualified for an exception) to live on UNM main campus for their first academic year. However, the COVID-19 pandemic has forced The University to think differently about strategic planning for Fall 2020.
In light of the current situation, UNM is waiving the Freshman Residency Requirement for Academic Year 2020-2021 meaning freshmen will NOT be required to live on campus for the upcoming school year beginning in August.
Freshman are encouraged to make the best housing decisions for their well-being. Housing will be available for Fall 2020, and freshmen are welcome to choose UNM as their home, but that will not be the requirement for Fall 2020.
The University of New Mexico recognizes that for some students the residence halls will remain the safest or most stable place to stay. Additionally, research continues to show that students who live on campus, particularly in their first year of college, have greater academic success and complete their degrees at a quicker rate than students who live off campus. For these reasons, UNM remains committed to providing student housing options for our students.
As a reminder, UNM is only waiving the Freshmen Residency Requirement for AY20-21; UNM’s Freshmen Meal Plan Requirement remains in place for first-year freshmen who choose to live on campus.
Learn more about the variety of student housing options, programs and amenities offered by UNM Residence Life & Student Housing, and UNM’s on-campus private partner housing, American Campus Communities (ACC), at housing.unm.edu.