On-Campus Living: Eastern Michigan University's Student Life

Eastern Michigan University (EMU) is a public research university located in Ypsilanti, Michigan. The university offers a diverse range of academic programs and extracurricular activities to its students. As of Fall 2023, EMU had a total undergraduate enrollment of 11,129 students, with a total enrollment of over 13,000 students. The university's campus spans 800 acres and includes 122 buildings on the main campus. Approximately 23% of EMU students, which equates to around 5,000 individuals, choose to live on campus in college-owned, operated, or affiliated housing. The remaining 77% of students live off-campus.

Student housing options

Eastern Michigan University (EMU) offers a variety of student housing options to cater to different needs and preferences. The university's housing initiative, Welcome Home, includes the construction of new apartment buildings and the renovation of existing residence halls to provide a comfortable and modern living experience for its students.

Residence Halls

EMU has eight residence halls, three of which were renovated in 2023, offering a strong sense of community for those who enjoy the traditional residence hall living experience. Each residence hall room is equipped with various amenities, services, and technology to support students' academic and social lives.

Apartment-Style Living

EMU also provides apartment-style living options, with five existing complexes and two new buildings, Lakeview and Westview, available for students over 20. These apartments offer more independence while still providing the convenience of on-campus housing. The apartments feature individual private bedrooms, air conditioning, enhanced Wi-Fi, energy-efficient LED lighting, community spaces, and study areas.

Living Learning Communities

EMU promotes inclusivity and respect for all its students by offering gender-inclusive housing options within its living learning communities. These communities foster a sense of belonging and allow students to connect with peers who share similar interests or identities.

Housing for Specific Needs

Recognising the diverse needs of its student body, EMU provides special housing options for married students and disabled students, ensuring that all members of the university community have a safe and comfortable place to call home during their time at EMU.

Off-Campus Housing

While EMU encourages on-campus living for the benefits it brings, the university also acknowledges that a significant portion of its students (77% as of fall 2023) choose to live off-campus. This option provides students with the opportunity to explore the surrounding area and find accommodation that suits their individual preferences and lifestyles.

Student life and activities

Eastern Michigan University, often abbreviated to EMU, is a public university located in the city of Ypsilanti, about 40 miles west of Detroit. The wooded campus spans 800 acres and includes 18 miles of walkways and jogging trails, 122 buildings on the main campus, and five colleges. The university has a diverse student body, with students from 49 states and 83 countries.

In terms of student life and activities, EMU offers a wide range of opportunities for students to get involved on campus. The Campus Life team works to engage students in their college experience, connect them with the campus community, and involve them in experiences that will support their success. There are over 200 campus organisations, nearly 30 fraternities and sororities, and a student centre where students can take a break from their studies.

EMU also offers a variety of athletic and recreational opportunities. The Eastern Michigan Eagles intercollegiate teams compete in more than a dozen sports as part of the NCAA Division I Mid-American Conference. Students can also participate in sports at the intramural, club, or varsity level. The university is committed to providing a well-rounded student experience, with a focus on both academic and extracurricular pursuits.

In addition to its academic and athletic offerings, EMU celebrates cultural events such as Martin Luther King Jr. Day with community-building exercises and opportunities for creative expression. The university also hosts an annual Undergraduate Symposium, where students can showcase their research projects. This event is organised by the College of Arts and Sciences. With a range of housing options, from apartments for married students to special housing for disabled students, EMU ensures that students can find a comfortable home away from home.

Overall, Eastern Michigan University offers a rich and diverse student life, with a focus on academic excellence, extracurricular involvement, and community building. The university's commitment to student engagement and success is evident through its wide range of activities, organisations, and support systems in place for its diverse student body.

Student demographics

Eastern Michigan University (EMU) is a diverse university with a total undergraduate enrollment of 11,129 (fall 2023). The gender distribution is 40.5% male students and 59.5% female students. The student body spans 49 states and 83 countries.

The university has a total enrollment of over 13,000 students, including graduate students. The racial demographics of the student body are as follows:

• Black/African-American: 1,948
• Hispanic/Latino: 1,104
• Nonresident Alien: 519
• Other/Unknown: 1,408

The acceptance rate for first-time freshman students for the class of 2027 was 81.3%. EMU is considered "selective" by U.S. News & World Report. The middle 50% range of SAT scores for the enrolled first-year class of 2027 was 910–1150, while the ACT composite score range was 18–26. The average GPA of the incoming freshman class was 3.4, with 13.6% in the top 10% of their high school class.

In terms of housing, approximately 23% of students live in college-owned, operated, or affiliated housing, while 77% live off-campus. EMU has 14 residence halls and offers various housing options, including apartments for married students and special housing for disabled students. The university plans to invest $200 million in long-term renovations and additions to its residence halls, including the construction of two new residence halls.

Student satisfaction

Eastern Michigan University (EMU) is a public research university in Ypsilanti, Michigan, with a diverse student body of around 13,000 students, spanning 49 states and 83 countries. The university offers a wide range of academic programs and extracurricular activities, contributing to a positive student experience and satisfaction.

Housing and Residence:

EMU provides various housing options for its diverse student body. As of Fall 2014, the university had 14 residence halls, with first-year-only residence halls including Putnam and Phelps. Upperclassmen can choose from various options, including the Village, Buell, and three apartment complexes. The university also offers special housing for disabled students and apartments for married students. In 2011, EMU became the first university in Michigan to offer a targeted program, "Keys to Degrees", to house single-parent families on campus and provide them with extra academic and personal support.

Student Life and Activities:

EMU students have access to numerous student-oriented facilities and activities outside the classroom. On-campus hangout spots include the Student Center, The Rec/IM, Halle Library, and dining facilities. The university's Campus Life office organizes a range of co-curricular activities for resident and commuter students, including Friday movie nights, Laugh Lounge, and Sky Lounge. EMU also arranges occasional "Eastern Excursions" to nearby cities like Detroit, Cleveland, and Chicago.

Academic Programs and Support:

EMU offers a comprehensive range of academic programs, with over 200 majors and minors at the undergraduate level and over 170 graduate programs. The university comprises eight colleges and schools, including the College of Arts and Sciences, College of Business, College of Education, and College of Health and Human Services. EMU's online programs have also been recognised for their quality and flexibility, ranking among the top 250 universities nationwide by Newsweek in 2025.

Student Organisations and Community:

EMU has over 340 student clubs and organisations, catering to various interests and providing opportunities for students to connect and engage in campus life. The university also has a significant Greek community, with fraternities and sororities, many of which have houses within walking distance of the campus.

Athletics and Sports:

EMU's intercollegiate teams, the Eastern Michigan Eagles, compete in various sports as part of the NCAA Division I Mid-American Conference. Student athletes can also participate in intramural and club sports. The university provides athletic facilities such as Rynearson Stadium for football and Oestrike Stadium for baseball.

While specific data on student satisfaction is not readily available, various indicators suggest a positive student experience at EMU. The university's diverse academic programs, extracurricular activities, and support services contribute to student satisfaction. The recognition of EMU's online programs and its ranking as Michigan's No. 1 military and veteran-friendly university for 2024 by Military Times Best for Vets are further testaments to its commitment to student satisfaction.

In conclusion, Eastern Michigan University offers a well-rounded and engaging student experience through its academic programs, housing options, student organisations, and athletic opportunities. While specific student satisfaction data is not publicly available, the range of opportunities and resources available to students suggests a positive and satisfying campus life experience.

Student athletics

The athletic teams for Eastern Michigan University are called the Eastern Michigan Eagles, formerly known as the Normalites and the Hurons. The Eagles compete in the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division I (in the Mid-American Conference). The only exception is the women's rowing program, which is a member of the Colonial Athletic Association.

The Eagles have won three NCAA Division II national championships and 13 NAIA Division I national championships across five different sports: baseball, men's cross country, men's swimming and diving, men's indoor track and field, and men's outdoor track and field. They have also been NCAA Division I national runner-up twice.

Eastern Michigan University offers 17 NCAA Division I varsity sports, six for men and 11 for women. The university also has over 15 club sports teams, including men's hockey, Quidditch, and Roller Hockey, which achieved national championships in 2001 in NCRHA Division II.

The Eastern Michigan Eagles intercollegiate teams compete in more than a dozen sports at the intramural, club, or varsity level. The men's basketball team has appeared in four NCAA Division I tournaments, reaching the Sweet Sixteen in 1991 and defeating Duke University in the first round in 1996. The men's swimming and diving team holds the record for the most MAC Championships in a single sport, with 31 wins.

The university's football team has appeared in bowl games in 2016, 2018, 2019, and 2021. They have also made two appearances in NCAA bowl games during the 20th century: the 1971 Pioneer Bowl and the 1987 California Bowl, winning the latter.

Eastern Michigan University's athletic facilities include the George Gervin GameAbove Center, Bowen Field House, Eagle Crest Resort, the Indoor Practice Facility, Olds-Robb Rec/IM, Oestrike Stadium, and Rynearson Stadium, which is the largest facility on campus.

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