Marcia “Cissy” Petty, vice president for Student Affairs and associate provost, confirmed that beginning fall 2008, the incoming freshmen class will be required to live on campus their freshmen and sophomore years.

According to Petty, the plan was introduced almost two years ago and was initiated at the President’s Cabinet. Petty said in an e-mail to The Maroon that the plan was put in place in response to the university’s low retention rate, especially following Hurricane Katrina. She said the plan has worked for Tulane and other Jesuit universities.

“There will be exceptions to the policy, and those are currently under discussion,” Petty said.

Petty said the university will concentrate mostly on providing living spaces for freshmen and sophomores, but there will still be places for juniors and seniors. She said that there has been discussion to completely renovate Cabra and to additional housing for upper-class students to the top of the Danna Center when it is renovated.

More updates to come soon on loyolamaroon.com.

Jaune Jackson can be reached at [email protected].