Don’t look now — but the new “kid” living in the dorm just might be a 50-something professor.

The latest trend in residential houses on many college campuses nationwide is seeing faculty members moving into dorms.

Why?

Free rent, an easy walk to work, and the opportunity to interact with students, said Jeffrey Sich, an associate professor at George Washington University.

Sich told The Washington Post, living in a dorm is “total immersion” into student life. “I figured nothing would do that quite like living with 200 sophomores.”

At Duke University, public policy professor Bob Cook-Deegan echoes those sentiments: “I figured this would be the most efficient way to learn this new universe,” he told the Newsobserver.com

“I learn a whole lot more about the students hanging out with them and then eating breakfast with them.”

The idea isn’t actually new. Instead, it’s a throwback to the 19th century when students and faculty shared residence halls and, the thinking goes, developed stronger bonds because of it.

And today’s professors who choose to set up house in dorms with their spouses and children, are encouraged to mingle with students — which includes everything from attending floor meetings to answering questions.

Their rooms are typically bigger than the average dorm room, yet these profs still have to put up with loud noises at all hours of the night.

Which may have been the biggest revelation for Jeffrey Sich: “I’ve learned that students stay up a lot later than I do. I learned where to find ear plugs at CVS.”

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Tags: Bob Cook-Deegan, Duke University, George Washington University, Jeffrey Sich, Professors in dorms