Within an hour's drive are many lakes for fishing, boating, and swimming. The Appalachian mountains and the beaches of the Gulf Coast are each about four hours away by car. At the University there are also sporting events, student plays and concerts, visiting entertainment groups, and a broad spectrum of visiting lecturers. Very affordable housing is available both on and off campus. Among the features are all-electric kitchens, furnished living rooms, dining rooms, and a bedroom.
Students also live off campus in apartments, homes, and mobile-home parks located nearby.
The Physics Department offers teaching assistantships to beginning graduate students. Stipends usually include summer support if the student wishes. The teaching assistant either teaches two undergraduate laboratory classes or problem-solving classes per week or assists faculty members in grading homework and examinations. Usually as students progress through their graduate studies and begin research work for their dissertation, they are awarded a research assistantship supported by contracts and grants won by their major professor. Graduate students who pass the Qualifying Examination for the Ph.D. degree receive an increase in their stipend.