April 28, 2004

Boise State To Open First Residential College

Business majors will have an opportunity to bridge their learning and living environments at Boise State University this fall. The COBE Community, the Boise State College of Business and Economics’ new residential college, will offer 32 Boise State students the chance to live and interact with other students, a Faculty in Residence and visiting guests while pursuing their academic studies. Located on the fourth floor of the new Keiser Hall, the COBE Community is Boise State’s first residential college. It will include living quarters, a dedicated classroom, a 65-station computer lab, faculty offices and community lounges. Bill Lathen, dean of the College of Business and Economics, said the goal of the residential college is to enhance business students’ experiences, both educationally and socially. Students will get involved with on- and off-campus recreation and cultural outings and community service opportunities, share ideas informally with regional business leaders and faculty, develop a supportive network of friends and future colleagues and plan and lead activities with other students and faculty. Rob Anson, a professor of networking, operations and information systems, will be the COBE Community’s first Faculty in Residence. Anson said he hopes the residential college draws a mix of freshman through senior students, graduate students and native Idahoans, as well as those from outside the state or country. “I see this as an opportunity to deepen the community on campus and develop a new tradition at Boise State,” Anson said. Through class I can only go so far to help students grow intellectually, socially and develop confidence. I see this as an opportunity to go beyond that.” Anson has been with Boise State for 14 years. He has taught semesters in Norway and in Vietnam. He and and his wife Cindy, who works in the academic affairs office at Boise State, will move into a two-bedroom apartment in Keiser Hall in July. Student rooms will be arranged in suites of four or eight private bedrooms with a shared living room and one bathroom/shower for every four students. All rooms have high-speed Internet connections, private phones with free local calls and cable television. The residential college adds a new dimension to student life at Boise State, said Housing Director Craig Thompson. The program was modeled after successful residential colleges at various campuses around the country, including Northwestern University, Western Washington University and Yale University. Thompson said plans are in the works to create more residential colleges at Boise State. There are no special fees associated with living in the COBE Community. However, there is an application process. For more information or to apply, visit http://housing.boisestate.edu/halls/keiser.asp, or call Student Housing at 208-426-3986 or College of Business & Economics Student Services Office, 208-426-3859. Keiser Hall is part of residence hall and student apartment construction projects that will provide space for 504 residents. The combined projects will cost about $32 million, with the bonds being retired through received rents and housing payments. -30- Contact                                 Media Contact Craig Thompson                 Sherry Squires Student Housing                  communications and marketing 208 426-3986                      208 426-1563