Ibrahim Gardner
Universities are increasingly focused on retaining students in campus accommodation, with research showing that freshmen and sophomore students who live on campus are more likely to continue their studies than those living off-campus. This may be due to the sense of community and support that on-campus accommodation provides, as well as the ease of access to events, clubs, and other academic resources. The housing selection process varies across universities, with some allowing students to rank their preferences for residence halls, while others use a lottery system. Many universities also offer themed residential communities, allowing students to live with peers who share similar interests, identities, or passions, further fostering a sense of belonging and engagement.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Housing selection process | Some colleges have first-year students rank their preferences for residence halls, while others allow students to select their own rooms. |
| Living-learning communities | Students can apply to live with peers who share similar academic interests, identities, or passions. |
| Roommate matching | Colleges send out questionnaires to match students with roommates based on their responses. |
| Safety | Restricted access to university housing, requiring student ID to enter. Many colleges have cameras posted around campus and in buildings. |
| Support | Resident assistants and other staff members are available to provide support and answer questions, helping with roommate issues and maintenance requests. |
| Retention rates | Higher retention rates for freshmen and sophomores living on campus compared to those living off-campus, possibly due to increased engagement and involvement. |
| Transition support | Universities provide supervision and assistance to help students transition to living away from their families. |
| Academic performance | Students living in dormitories with shared majors may perform better academically, according to some research. |
| Revenue | Universities facing financial pressures may enforce strict housing rules for freshmen and sophomores to increase revenue. |
| Quality and cost | There is a perception that universities are charging high room and board rates without a corresponding increase in quality. |
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What You'll Learn
Themed residential communities
One example of a themed residential community is the First-Gen Living & Learning Community at the University of Texas at San Antonio (UTSA). This community caters to first-generation college students, offering dedicated first-gen faculty coaches, peer mentors, and a supportive network of fellow first-gen residents. It helps students navigate campus resources and provides a sense of familia.
Another example is the Honors Residential Learning Community at the University of New Hampshire (UNH). This community is specifically designed for first-year students in the Hamel Honors & Scholars College. Students live and participate in events and programming with other Honors students, fostering a close-knit and academically focused environment.
The University of New Hampshire also offers an inCEPSion RLC for students in the College of Engineering and Physical Sciences (CEPS). This community provides an opportunity for students to connect informally with CEPS faculty and peers, enhancing their academic experience.
Lehigh University offers a range of themed housing communities, such as CHOICE, a community promoting a healthy and substance-free lifestyle, and the Sylvia Rivera Community, dedicated to supporting queer and trans liberation and connecting residents to the LGBTQIA+ community.
These themed residential communities offer students a unique opportunity to live and learn with like-minded individuals, fostering a sense of belonging and engagement, which can contribute to higher retention rates.
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Student safety
One common practice is to implement restricted access to university housing. Students are typically required to scan their IDs to enter the building, ensuring that only authorised individuals have access. This helps create a secure environment and prevents unauthorised entry. Additionally, universities often advise students to maintain basic safety precautions, such as keeping their dorm rooms locked, especially after hours.
The presence of resident assistants (RAs) and residence life staff plays a vital role in fostering a safe and supportive community. RAs are often upper-year students who understand the challenges and concerns of living away from home. They are trained to assist their peers with various issues, provide guidance, and foster a sense of community. RAs are easily accessible and serve as a valuable resource for students navigating university life, offering support and answering questions.
In addition to RAs, many universities have campus police officers or security personnel who are dedicated to ensuring the safety of students living on campus. These officers are trained to handle emergencies and provide a sense of security for the student body. Universities may also install security cameras around the campus and in buildings to monitor activity and deter any potential threats.
Some universities also offer themed residential communities or living-learning communities. These communities group students with similar academic interests, identities, or passions. This arrangement not only provides a sense of belonging but also encourages academic engagement. Research has shown that participants in living-learning communities are more likely to meet with faculty, attend classes, and utilise academic support services. This sense of community and academic focus can contribute to a safer and more supportive environment for students.
While universities implement various safety measures, it is also important for students to take an active role in their well-being. Being aware of their surroundings, looking out for one another, and reporting any concerns or suspicious activities can contribute to a safer campus environment. By combining institutional safety measures with individual awareness and responsibility, universities can create a safer and more welcoming living environment for their student residents.
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Student support
Students require support during their transition to university life, and universities can provide this by offering on-campus housing. This support can take the form of supervision, which is particularly beneficial for young students who are living away from their families for the first time. Resident assistants (RAs) are also on hand to help students with any questions or issues they may have, such as roommate problems or maintenance requests.
On-campus housing can also foster a sense of community and help students make friends, as they are physically present on campus and can more easily engage with events and clubs. Living-learning communities, where students with similar academic interests, identities, or passions live together, further enhance this sense of community. These themed residential communities encourage students to engage with their peers and take advantage of academic support services.
The housing selection process can vary across campuses. Some colleges allow first-year students to rank their preferences for residence halls, while others use a lottery system where students select from available housing during an assigned time slot. To help match roommates, colleges often send out questionnaires to first-year students, asking about sleep and cleanliness habits, and then pair students based on their responses.
While universities emphasize the benefits of on-campus living for student retention, there are also financial considerations. Universities can augment their revenues by charging above-market rates for housing, which may be less appealing to students but provides additional income without formally raising tuition fees. However, this practice has been criticized as a stealthy way of increasing the overall cost of college attendance.
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Dormitory costs
The cost of dormitory accommodation is a significant factor in the debate surrounding universities retaining students in dorms. Many American universities require students to live in campus accommodation for at least their first year, and often their second year too. This is justified by universities on the basis that students need help transitioning to life away from home and that living on campus fosters engagement and a sense of community.
However, critics argue that universities are hungry for revenues and that forcing students to pay above-market rates for housing is a stealth way of raising student costs without formally increasing tuition fees. There is also the suggestion that universities are ripping off their students by using their monopoly power to charge high room and board fees. This is particularly true when it comes to food—campus board rates have risen more than prices in restaurants or grocery stores.
Some universities are facing revenue pressures from dwindling or stagnant enrollment, yet they continue to build expensive new facilities, sometimes costing well over $100,000 per bed. This has led to accusations of universities acting like monopolists, requiring customers who want their primary service (instruction) to buy another service (campus housing and food).
Despite these criticisms, there is some research to suggest that students who live in university dormitories perform better academically than those living in outside housing. Additionally, living on campus does seem to foster engagement, with students more likely to attend events and club meetings, and it is certainly more convenient for freshmen who are new to the university experience.
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Student housing selection
The student housing selection process varies across campuses. Some colleges have first-year students rank their preferences for residence halls as part of the housing application, while others allow freshmen and upperclassmen to select their own rooms. Many colleges have a lottery system, assigning students a time slot to choose from the available housing.
First-year students are often sent a roommate questionnaire as part of the housing selection process, which asks about sleep and cleanliness habits. Students are then matched with others based on their responses. Derek Doucet, dean of students at Middlebury College, advises students to be "realistic" in their questionnaire answers.
Some colleges offer living-learning communities, where students can apply to live with peers who share similar academic interests, identities, or passions. Research suggests that participants in these communities are up to three times more likely than other campus residents to meet with faculty, attend class, see an advisor, or use academic support services.
Resident assistants (RAs) are also an important aspect of student housing. They provide support and answer questions, helping students navigate life on campus.
While some universities require students to live in campus housing for at least a year or two, there are differing opinions on the benefits. Some argue that university housing helps students transition to life away from family and provides supervision. Others suggest that universities are motivated by revenue, as they can charge above-market rates for less appealing housing.
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Frequently asked questions
The housing selection process varies across campuses. Some colleges have first-year students rank their preferences for residence halls as part of the housing application, while others allow students to select their own rooms. Many colleges have a lottery system where students are assigned a time slot to select from the available housing.
Living-learning communities are themed residential communities where freshmen and beyond can apply to live with peers who share similar academic interests, identities, or passions. Participants in these communities are more likely to meet with faculty, attend class, see an advisor, or use academic support services.
University housing typically has restricted access, requiring residents to scan their student IDs to enter the building. Resident assistants, residence life staff members, and campus police officers are available to provide support in case of an emergency. Students are also advised to take extra precautions by keeping their rooms locked, especially at night.
