Freshman Residency

The University of New Mexico is committed to providing all students with an exceptional educational experience. For this reason, UNM requires all first time first year freshmen (not qualified for an exception) to live on UNM main campus for their first academic year. Statistics both nationally and at the University level have consistently shown that students who live on campus have greater academic success and complete their degrees at a quicker rate than students who live off campus. On-campus residents are successful because:

  • The educational programming model of community, wellness, personal and professional development, and diversity and inclusion, is the foundation of our engagement with our residents.
  • A multi-layer security system, from the Resident Advisor to a 24/7 safety staff to the UNM Police Department, provides a safe campus environment.
  • Trained staff design and implement events and activities based on our on-campus educational model to enhance the college experience, keeping residents involved and supported.
  • Living Learning Communities connect residents directly to their academic program and other residents with interests just like theirs.
  • All the conveniences of on-campus living allow our students the opportunity to stay focused on learning.

Learn more about UNM's Living Requirement Study.

First Time First Year Freshmen are Resident Lobos!

The Freshman Residency Requirement is a UNM main campus policy in which all first time first year freshmen enrolled as full-time students who are younger than 20 years of age by the first day of classes and reside  further than 30 miles from UNM’s main campus are required to live on campus.

Campus Housing that Satisfies Freshman Residency Requirement

All main campus UNM Residence Halls (Alvarado, Coronado, Hokona, Laguna, DeVargas, Santa Clara, Student Residence Center Apartments, and Redondo Village Apartments) and on-campus private partner Casas del Rio fulfill the requirement.

That said, UNM Residence Halls is modifying their assignment process, and returning and upper-class students will have the first priority to any of UNM Residence Halls apartment spaces (SRC and RVA apartments) on campus. This means first year students will not be able to select into the SRC or Redondo Village Apartments unless they successfully applied to live in a Living Learning Community that is housed in one of the apartment style residence halls on main campus.

A student may apply for an exception to live in satellite residence halls, Lobo Rainforest or private partner Lobo Village, if the student has a demonstrable tie to a UNM academic program or a Living Learning Community in that residence hall.

Automatic Exemptions

First time first year freshmen who fall within one or more of the following categories are automatically exempt from the Freshman Residency Requirement.

  • First time, first year freshmen whose residence zip code at time of admission is within a 30 mile radius from UNM’s main campus:  See reference zip code map.

  • Students 20 years of age or older by the first day of the academic year.

Other Eligible Exceptions

(Must submit a Freshman Residency Requirement Exception Request for review and decision by UNM)

  • Student living with another family member or guardian within 30 miles of main campus (additional documentation required).
  • Student domestically partnered, married, or have legally dependent children (additional documentation required)
  • Student has a medical or accessibility circumstance and has applied and been approved for exception through UNM’s Accessibility Resource Center.
  • Student can demonstrate that living on campus would present an undue hardship on their ability to attend the University (supporting documentation required).

Applying for an Exception

Exceptions may be submitted for review and each request is reviewed on an individual basis. Exception request applications are found on a student’s Residence Dashboard and require additional verification documentation. Decisions and related charges for not meeting the Freshman Residency Requirement are not appealable. 

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes. First time, first year freshmen enrolling in the Fall are required to live in on campus housing during the Fall and Spring semesters. Students first enrolling in the Spring are required to live in on-campus housing during the Spring semester. Students first enrolling in the Summer are not required to live in the residence hall during the Summer but are required to live in on-campus housing during the Fall and Spring semesters.

Although on-campus housing is strongly encouraged, the Freshman Residency Requirement Exception form can be found via a student’s Residence Dashboard and must be submitted directly to FRR@unm.edu.

Although on-campus housing is strongly encouraged, the Freshman Residency Requirement Exception form can be found via a student’s Residence Dashboard.

  • First year, first time freshmen whose residence is further than 30 miles from UNM’s Main Campus
    • Completion of the Affidavit and Proof of Residency to be submitted by the student. Note: The Affidavit must be downloaded from “Freshman Residency Requirement Exemption” form. Proof of residency may be a utility bill in the host family member’s name, lease agreement in host family member’s name, or similar documents which demonstrate the host family member lives at the address cited on the Affidavit.
  • Satellite Residence Halls
    • RLSH Lobo Rainforest – confirmation from RLSH of placement in Living Learning Community to be submitted by the student.
    • Private Partner Lobo Village – confirmation from American Campus Communities Lobo Village of placement in Living Learning Community to be submitted by the student.
  • Greek Life Housing
    • UNM Affiliated Greek Life Housing – submission of signed lease at Affiliate Greek Life Housing to be submitted by the student.
  • Domestically Partnered/Married/Has Dependent
    • Domestically Partnered – submission of signed Domestic Partnership form via Dean of Students office
    • Married – submission of legal marriage certificate.
    • Dependents – submission of birth certificates of all dependents.
  • Medical/Accessibility Need
  • Undue Hardship
    • Documentation and or pertinent information that may frame the undue hardship a student is facing should be submitted. Personal statements, copies of documents including explanations of provided documents as it pertains to case, or other documents which demonstrate undue hardship due to meeting Freshman Residency Requirement.

Freshman Residency staff administratively review applications for reasons of:

  • Living with Parent, Guardian, or Family Member within 30 miles from UNM’s Main Campus
  • Satellite Residence Halls
  • Greek Life Housing
  • Domestically Partnered/Married/Has Dependent
  • Medical/Accessibility Need

Freshman Residency Committee, composed of numerous university professionals from various departments, review applications for reasons of:

  •  Undue Hardship

Students who, at time of admission, have a zip code listed in the attached map are automatically exempt from Freshman Residency Requirements.

Typically, a response time of 7 business days or less can be expected. Peak times in which responses may be delayed include December, January, July, and August.

Please email FRR@unm.edu for updates on the status of your application and Freshman Residency staff will get back to you as soon as possible.

Please email FRR@unm.edu and Freshman Residency staff will determine if you are eligible for a “Freshman Residency Exception” application.

Learn more about UNM's Living Requirement Study here.

Contact Us

Email: FRR@unm.edu

24/7 Help Desk: 505.277.2606