WSU expects record number of freshmen

WSU expects a record-breaking freshman class on campus this fall, estimated at around 4,300 new students. If the estimates are correct, the incoming class of 2022 would exceed the record-high of approximately 4,200 first-year students set in 2015.

WSU Vice President of University Marketing and Communications Phil Weiler praised the strength of the 2018-2019 freshman class, noting that it will include 186 Washington Regents Scholars who have been recognized as one of the two most distinguished students from their respective high schools.

In preparation for the high number of freshman, WSU is reopening the historic all-male Waller residence hall, which was built in 1935 and closed in 2015. According to Weiler, Waller Hall is getting a “top-to-bottom refurbishment,” including a fresh paint job and all new furniture.

The university is also looking to convert the all-female Orton Hall from single-residency to double-residency rooms. Furthermore, WSU is adding about 50 new sections of core freshman classes, and expanding the number of orientation sessions that all incoming freshman must attend during the summer.

Finally, the university is considering converting some residence halls to include triple-residency rooms. First-year students applying for housing on WSU’s website are being asked if they would be willing to live with two others.

Weiler said the option for triple-residency rooms would “offer more flexibility for cost-conscious students.”