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Bill

HB 1325

prohibit the Board of Regents and institutions under its control from requiring certain students to reside in on-campus housing or purchase meal plans.

2026 Regular Session Introduced by Phil Jensen and 1 co-sponsor

South Dakota bill prohibits public universities from requiring specific student groups to live on-campus or buy meal plans, potentially reducing student costs but affecting institutional revenue and residential programming.

Scheduled for hearing H.J. 1
#education #highereducation #students
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Bill Summary · HB 1325

Legislative bill overview

HB 1325 would prohibit South Dakota's Board of Regents and its institutions from mandating that certain students live in on-campus housing or purchase meal plans. The bill restricts the board's current authority to set residency and dining requirements for students attending public higher education institutions in the state.

Why is this important

On-campus housing and meal plan requirements directly affect student finances—these are often significant expenses that can increase the total cost of attendance. This bill addresses whether institutions should have discretion to require these ancillary costs or whether students should have the choice to pursue alternatives like off-campus living and dining, which can reduce overall educational expenses.

Potential points of contention

  • Institutional operations: Colleges rely on housing revenues to maintain dormitories and fund student services; reducing mandatory occupancy could strain budgets and affect facility management
  • "Certain students" ambiguity: The bill's language limiting requirements to only some students creates questions about which students would be exempt and on what basis (class standing, commuting distance, age, etc.)
  • Student support services: On-campus living connects students to academic support, residential advisors, and community resources; optional housing might reduce engagement, particularly for first-year or at-risk students

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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