Murray State University: On-Campus Living Popularity

Murray State University, a public university in Murray, Kentucky, offers a blend of educational opportunities and supportive student-teacher interactions. With a total undergraduate enrollment of 8,111, the university accommodates 35% of its students in college-owned housing, while 65% live off-campus. The student body consists of 37% male and 63% female students, representing a diverse range of states and countries. The university prioritises student learning and excellent teaching, fostering growth in knowledge, critical inquiry, and innovative thinking. Murray State University is committed to diversity, global awareness, and intellectual curiosity, creating a welcoming atmosphere that supports student success through mentored, real-world learning opportunities.

In the fall of 2012, 2,831 students lived on campus at Murray State University

The residential college structure at Murray State University is designed to foster a sense of community and belonging among its students, faculty, and staff. All members of the university are assigned to one of the eight residential colleges, regardless of whether they live on or off campus. This creates a close-knit environment that enhances the student experience.

The residential colleges at Murray State University offer a unique opportunity for students to connect and engage with one another. While the physical structures may differ from the traditional residential college model, the university has taken steps to incorporate aspects such as central dining and recreation areas. The residential colleges provide a home away from home for students, with each college named after significant individuals associated with the university, such as Clark College, named for Lee Clark, who assisted in the university's founding, and Elizabeth College, named for Elizabeth Harkless Woods, wife of the fourth university president.

In addition to the sense of community fostered by the residential colleges, Murray State University offers a range of undergraduate and graduate programs, with a focus on liberal arts and sciences. The university prioritises student learning and excellent teaching, blending the educational opportunities typically found at research institutions with the nurturing student-teacher interactions of smaller universities. With its dedication to student success and a welcoming atmosphere, Murray State University provides a well-rounded and supportive educational experience for its students.

35% of students live in college-owned, -operated or -affiliated housing

Murray State University (MSU) in Murray, Kentucky, offers a variety of housing options for its students. As of Fall 2012, 35% of students lived in college-owned, -operated, or -affiliated housing, while 65% lived off-campus. This distribution of on-campus and off-campus residents is a recent development in the university's history.

MSU was founded in 1922, and initially, all students lived at home or boarded with local families. The first dormitory, Wells Hall, was constructed in 1925, and Wilson Hall was completed soon after. Over the years, additional residence halls have been built and renovated, with the most recent being the replacement of Clark Hall in 2007 and the opening of Richmond Hall in 2009.

The university prioritises student learning and excellent teaching, striving to blend the educational opportunities of a research institution with the nurturing interactions typically found at smaller universities. This approach is reflected in their residence life, as MSU was the first public university in the US to adopt a successful campus-wide residential college programme. The programme is based on similar models at Oxford and Cambridge in the UK, as well as Yale, Harvard, and Princeton in the US.

MSU's residential college structure assigns all faculty, staff, and students to one of eight residential colleges, even if they live off-campus. This creates a sense of community and offers a unique opportunity for students to connect with one another and their professors. The residential colleges provide a range of housing options, including apartments for single and married students, special housing for disabled students, and other housing options.

With an undergraduate enrollment of around 8,000 students, MSU offers a variety of academic programmes and a vibrant campus life. The university is committed to student success and provides a supportive and innovative learning environment. The residence halls and colleges play a crucial role in fostering this community-oriented atmosphere.

There are eight residential colleges on campus

Murray State University in Murray, Kentucky, is home to eight residential colleges. As of fall 2012, 2,831 students lived on campus, making up 35% of the student population. The residential college structure was implemented in 1996 and is based on similar programmes at Oxford and Cambridge in the UK, as well as Yale, Harvard and Princeton in the US.

All faculty, staff and students at Murray State University are assigned to one of the eight residential colleges, regardless of whether they live on or off campus. Each person remains a member of that college for the duration of their time at the university. The eight residential colleges are:

• Clark College, named for Lee Clark, who assisted Rainey T. Wells in founding the university and later served as the superintendent of grounds and buildings. Clark College was the first residence hall at Murray to be specifically designed to support the residential college concept.
• Elizabeth College, named for Elizabeth Harkless Woods, wife of the university's fourth president, Ralph H. Woods.
• Hart College, named for George Hart, a member of the Board of Regents and former mayor of Murray.
• Hester College, named for Cleo Gillis Hester, who served Murray State University from 1927 to 1960 as registrar.
• Regents College, named in honour of the citizens who have served on the university's Board of Regents.
• Richmond College, named for the university's third president, James H. Richmond.
• Springer-Franklin College, named for O.B. Springer and Hollis C. Franklin, former members of the Board of Regents.
• White College, named for R.H. "Bob" White, a member of the Board of Regents.

The residential colleges do not include all the components of the classical residential college model, such as individual dining halls and libraries. However, students do share central dining and recreation areas.

The university has a six-year graduation rate of 62%

Murray State University (MSU) is a public university in Murray, Kentucky, with a total undergraduate enrollment of 8,111 as of Fall 2023. The university has a six-year graduation rate of 62%. This rate reflects the percentage of students who complete their undergraduate studies within six years of enrolling. It is an important metric for evaluating the effectiveness of a university's academic programmes and support services.

A variety of factors can influence a university's graduation rate. These factors often include the quality of teaching, availability of resources, and level of student support. MSU's commitment to excellence in these areas is evident through its strategic attributes and priorities. The university prioritises student learning and excellent teaching, combining the educational opportunities typically found at research institutions with the nurturing student-teacher interactions more common at smaller universities. This blend creates a supportive and engaging learning environment that fosters student success.

MSU also stands out for its diverse range of degree programmes and its dedication to student success. The university offers undergraduate and graduate degree programmes with core studies in liberal arts and sciences. These programmes lead to a variety of degrees, from certificates to advanced practice doctorates. Additionally, the university is committed to providing hands-on learning opportunities and has invested grants to benefit these experiences.

The university's graduation rate can also be understood in the context of its history and campus life. MSU was founded in the early 20th century as a normal school to address the demand for professional teachers. Over time, it expanded its programmes and changed its name accordingly, eventually becoming Murray State University in 1966. Today, MSU offers 11 associate programmes, 64 bachelor programmes, 42 master and specialist programmes, and three doctoral programmes across four academic colleges, two schools, 30 departments, and one joint programme.

Campus life at MSU is vibrant and community-oriented. The university has eight residential colleges, and as of Fall 2012, 2,831 students lived on campus. The residential college structure fosters a sense of belonging and community among the students, staff, and faculty. Additionally, MSU has a diverse student body, with representation from 53 countries, 49 states, and 111 counties in Kentucky. This diversity enriches the campus culture and contributes to a well-rounded educational experience.

The undergraduate student to faculty ratio is 15.5 to 1

Murray State University (MSU) is a public university in Murray, Kentucky, with a total undergraduate enrollment of 8,111 students as of Fall 2023. The university has a semester-based academic calendar and offers a range of undergraduate and graduate programs.

Regarding the student-to-faculty ratio, the figure of 15.5 to 1 indicates that for every 15.5 undergraduate students, there is one faculty member. This ratio suggests that there are approximately 127,665 undergraduate students for every 8,232 faculty members. This ratio is used to assess the level of interaction and support that students can expect from their instructors. A lower student-to-faculty ratio is generally considered favourable as it implies smaller class sizes, more individualized attention, and greater opportunities for mentorship and academic guidance.

At MSU, the average undergraduate class size is 18 students, which aligns with the student-to-faculty ratio. This relatively low number suggests that students can benefit from more personalized instruction and a closer relationship with their professors. Such an environment can foster a sense of community and support, enhancing the overall educational experience.

The student-to-faculty ratio also provides insights into the distribution of resources at the university. With a ratio of 15.5 to 1, MSU maintains a balance between the number of students and the number of faculty members. This balance ensures that faculty members are not overburdened with large class sizes, allowing them to dedicate sufficient time and attention to each student. Consequently, students can benefit from more accessible and supportive faculty, which can positively impact their academic performance and overall satisfaction with their university experience.

Additionally, the student-to-faculty ratio can influence the demand for various resources on campus. A ratio of 15.5 to 1 suggests that MSU needs to allocate resources accordingly to accommodate the needs of its undergraduate students and faculty. This includes ensuring enough physical spaces for classes, such as lecture halls and tutorial rooms, as well as providing adequate academic support services, such as tutoring or mentoring programs.

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