Missouri S&T's designation as a residential university reflects our commitment to offering students a comprehensive college experience. Missouri S&T has a large residential population, but students simply residing on campus is not all that makes us a residential campus. 

By definition, a residential university is one where students live and learn while attending college rather than limiting their learning to just the classroom experiences. This is the type of environment that exists on our campus and this environment enhances Missouri S&T students' college experience. This enhancement exists because of the opportunity for the university to influence student learning in ways that would not be as readily available if we were not a residential university. 

Students in residence at Missouri S&T have the opportunity to be a part of a vibrant learning community. This experience serves as a complement to our outstanding academic opportunities. Missouri S&T students are encouraged to become involved in our residential community. Doing so helps them receive a more rounded education. Being a resident Missouri S&T student fosters a more complete education, improves a student's likelihood for success, and better prepares them to be successful in their professional endeavors.

A Bachelor's degree carries with it the implication that the individual also learned from being a member of a university community. It is understood that the recipient is aware of the implication that societal issues have upon their field of study. Persons who achieved a Bachelor's degree have also been challenged to develop an appreciation of how life's diversity impacts upon their social environment. They have also been expected to have learned the important role that having personal morals and professional ethics plays in purposefully directing an individual's application of their academic proficiencies.

Completion of courses is evidence that the student has a proficiency of a discipline's knowledge. However, understanding a discipline does not in itself demonstrate comprehension of the interrelationships between their major field of study and other academic disciplines. Similarly, it does not demonstrate the ability to comprehend the ethical applications of academic learning in society nor does it demonstrate evidence of a student's ability to apply knowledge through leadership or interpersonal skills.

This understanding of knowledge application and the associated responsibilities is essential if a college graduate intends to make a contribution to our society. In other words, the student who completes the required courses for a degree program understands the subject but acquiring a Bachelor's degree also includes developing this understanding of the appropriate application of knowledge. A primary objective of the Missouri S&T's residential communities is providing students with exposure to these associated lessons.

The Residential Life Department is a significant contributor to student learning at Missouri S&T. Each year, resident students can participate in hundreds of learning opportunities. What is more impressive though, is the number of students involved in learning opportunities as more than participants. Our students play a leading role in the design and implementation of our educational opportunities, our leadership development workshops and our student/staff training programs. Our high level of student involvement in the residential community is unique even when compared to other residential campuses. It can be demonstrated that our residential students' academic performances exceed all the campus averages. Residential students tend to be more involved in student organizations, they are more likely to stay enrolled and they tend to have a more positive perspective about their college experience.

While statistics bear these points, the outside recognition given to our residential services serve as a highlight of our efforts. In 1995, the Missouri S&T was one of five finalists for the "Student Award for Leadership Training." This is a national award, jointly presented by the American College Personnel Association and the National Association of College and University Residence Halls. These organizations make this award each year to a residential university that has demonstrated excellence in its efforts to foster effective student community leaders. In 1995, Missouri S&T also won the Midwest Association of College and University Residence Halls, "School of the Year Award." This award recognizes one school for its efforts to provide and involve students in out-of-class learning opportunities.

The size of the Missouri S&T student population assures that our students have a wide range of interests and lifestyle needs. In order to provide for the diverse interests of our students, Missouri S&T has developed an assortment of student communities and residential services. At Missouri S&T there are 18 different fraternities, three sororities, seven different residence halls and two apartment complexes. This array of facilities allows Missouri S&T to offer numerous different types of housing facilities. It also allows for a significant range in the types of services provided to students, the styles of student board services and in the manner by which the student communities are administered.