Imperative II
Create a truly residential campus
The heart of the Baylor experience rests in the communion of ideas, experiences and relationships on campus. To facilitate and energize campus life, Baylor will seek to make more desirable residence halls available so that at least 50 percent of Baylor undergraduates are living on campus by 2012. Further, we will develop walking malls along the axes of campus to enhance the total social and relational environment. To complement the physical design of the campus, Baylor will create robust student life programming to enrich the life of the University and to cultivate social skills, leadership, and physical fitness; therefore, a full array of opportunities for students to develop lifelong friendships will exist.
Progress Summary
- Improve Residential Facilities
North Village and Brooks Village have been constructed during the tenure of Baylor 2012. Ten living-learning programs have been implemented. The faculty-in residence program was initiated and has since grown to nine faculty members residing in apartments within the residential communities. The faculty partners program has been implemented. In addition, current residential communities have undergone significant renovations, such as Kokernot Residence Hall and the creation of the Memorial Chapel.
- Increase Number of Undergraduates Living on Campus
The number and percentage of undergraduates living on campus continues to increase. As of fiscal year 2011, there are 4,619 beds available (4,818 beds with expanded occupancy when the halls opened in August). By the 12th class day, total occupancy was 4,730 undergraduates and represented 38 percent of undergraduate students living on campus.
- Enhance the Social and Relational Environment
Furnishings in the Bill Daniel Student Center were updated to provide inviting spaces for students. The Baylor Activities Council, Department of Student Activities, Kappa Omega Tau Fraternity, Baylor Religious Hour Choir, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., demonstrate the spirit of the season in their collaboration in presenting expanded activities for Christmas on 5th Street — an event that presents a live nativity, Christmas Tree Lighting, Christmas Marketplace, cocoa and cookies, carols, New Anthems for an Old Story, Baylor on Ice, Kids' Creation Station, carriage rides, a petting zoo, pictures with Santa, live concerts by campus organizations and national performers and thematic tree displays through the Bill Daniel Student Center. Immediately after the celebration, Barfield Drawing Room is returned to its setting as a living room where students can retreat for quiet study in preparation for finals. Baylor traditions of education and enrichment now are established as featured elements of Baylor Line Camps and common spaces on campus continue to be made more appealing. In partnership with Academic Affairs, University 1000 has been redesigned to help nurture all students as they transition from high school to college life or as they move into the Baylor community from another college setting.