Incoming freshmen have a tough call to make when they select which dormitory to call home. Each association of residence halls possesses its own features – proximity to campus, size of the building, number of residents.

But one, towering among the rest, is more unique. Maple Hall, in the Richardson Court Association on the east side of campus, is perhaps one of the most talked-about residence halls.

Things are just different in Maple. Rather than Resident Assistants, there are Community Advisers and Academic Resource Coordinators. There is a strict substance-free policy, which prohibits both tobacco and alcohol. Residents receive electronic proximity cards rather than keys to gain access to the building, and each of the eight houses is home to a learning community.

As Maple nears its third year since a major renovation in 1999, the number of applicants to live in the building is on the rise.

“Since renovating Maple and implementing the Fresh Start program, the requests to live in Maple Hall and participate in the program have been much greater,” said Heather Phillips, Maple Hall director.

The application for residency in Maple Hall requires students to answer a variety of questions based on their academic goals and involvement in extracurricular activities. It clarifies the building policies and GPA requirement of 2.50 that must be maintained at all times. The application also asks why the student wishes to be a part of the Maple Hall community.

Most students who apply are accepted, Phillips said, but there are several requirements that must be met in order to remain a resident of Maple.

“Students who chose to live at Maple agree to participate in a campus organization, attend personal development activities and participate in a community service project,” she said.

Along with these, Phillips said, students who wish to stay must maintain the minimum GPA, have a clean judicial record and show evidence of community involvement.

“If students cannot fulfill the requirements, they may not be allowed to return to Maple,” Phillips said. “And if a student violates the alcohol policy, they are immediately removed from the building.”

Although the conditions may be tough, they are certainly not without reward. Maple Hall has many benefits to give its residents.

Kilee Stierler, sophomore in biology, said she doesn’t mind the higher expectations.

“I really enjoy it here,” she said. “It’s really nice because it’s clean and new, and there are always quiet places to study.”

Recently, a lot of work has been done to Maple in order to create a better environment and a more appealing place for students to live, Phillips said.

“Students have really been able to benefit from the recent renovations,” she said. “The hall has a lot of common space, including a classroom, study group [room] and individual studying [rooms], and a large lounge where meetings, speakers and hall activities are held.”

Along with these facilities, each house has a den with a kitchenette, small meeting room, computer lab and semi-private bathrooms. Each student room has individual heat/air conditioning control, a sink and moveable furniture.

There are also academic advantages to living in the hall, Phillips said, such as the learning communities in each house.

“The Fresh Start program has been set up to help students be academically and personally successful, and there is a high staff-to-student ratio,” she said.

Even students who have chosen to leave Maple Hall for various reasons have very few negative memories of the dorm. Ryan Legg, sophomore in civil engineering and former resident of Maple Hall, also said he didn’t mind the extra work involved.

“The requirements were never really a problem,” he said. “The community service actually provided a great social aspect because we were able to meet a lot of new people by participating in the various activities. I just moved out because I was ready for something new.”