For the vast majority of UNLV alums, dorms didn't factor into their college experience. But as UNLV grows, so does its residential life program.

Coming to UNLV as a transfer student from Hawaii, sophomore Kelsey Tachihata chose to live on campus to take advantage of its ready-made social scene. The nutrition sciences major transformed her space with its basic furnishings into a home filled with pictures of family and friends, rugby gear (yes, there are female rugby teams), and cans of Spam, a favorite food on the islands.

She has high-speed Internet access in her room and cable television in the lounge. Her mini-refrigerator is filled with snacks to grab between classes and campus activities. 'Dorm living is the next best thing to home – and I don't even have to cook," she says.

Tachihata has premium access to campus services and resources. Dining facilities, her campus job, and social and academic activities are all a few steps away. 'I can sleep later, roll out of bed, and get to class on time without the headaches of Las Vegas traffic." This leaves her more time to study, relax, and hang out with her friends.

Since she lives on campus, she's more likely to be successful as a student, too. 'Typically, universities with a strong campus residential community have higher retention rates, more campus spirit, and higher rates of student success," says Bill Cox, associate director of campus housing. 'When students live on campus, not only do they have better access to services, they're also more likely to use them."

The new Dayton Complex, a residence hall with its own computer lab, fitness room, and laundry facilities, opened this fall, bringing the total bed space at UNLV to nearly 2,000.

'UNLV's commitment to students includes creating multiple opportunities for learning outside the classroom," says Rebecca Mills, vice president for student life. 'Students who live on campus gain valuable lifelong skills. As they learn to negotiate, problemsolve, and share, they learn about themselves and others."

Tachihata says living on campus has certainly taught her about cultural differences, 'like not everybody loves Spam."