The design of luxury residence halls has created tension between the ideals of equitable educational experiences and increased competition to attract enrollment, as such facilities are often priced beyond the financial reach of students whose presence is essential to creating a diverse educational experience for all students. As university leaders…

The growing concern about the mental health and psychological distress of first-year students warrants a greater understanding of their well-being. This study explored the insights of 16 staff and service providers who engage with first-year students at a South African peri-urban campus and built on quantitative studies using the Job…

The purpose of this multicase study was to examine how race functioned to shape life in campus residence halls. Guided by theories of neoliberalization and racialization, this study highlights the racialized meanings attached to particular campus housing options across three universities in the United States. I highlight commonly held racialized…

The researchers of this brief observed that few environments have the potential to shape the outcomes of college students as much as residence halls. As a result, residence halls have the capacity to foster a strong sense of community as well as other important outcomes such as college satisfaction and academic achievement. However, given the high…

In this research brief, a team of four researchers report their observations on the changing role of university housing complexes and their evolution into learning communities designed to foster students' learning, development, and overall well-being. The observation also revealed that the role of the resident assistant (RA) had evolved in a…

Web based social media networks (SMNs) are one avenue used by students to seek cocurricular activities and social interactions that are valuable for college adjustment (DeAndrea, Ellison, LaRose, Steinfield, & Fiore, 2011; Ellison, Steinfield, & Lampe, 2007; Leung & Lee, 2005). Thus, the current project aims to increase students'…

For this study we identified factors exerting significant influence on homesickness and explored the impact of the homesick experience on students' academic performance and retention in the first year in college. The findings reveal 2 constructs underlying the homesickness scale: homesick separation and homesick distress. Demographic variables…

Due to a greater number of students enrolling in higher educational institutions, an increase in demand for housing on college campuses exists putting a strain on infrastructure. In order to accommodate the students, some universities are tripling students in residential settings by putting three students in a room originally designed for two.…

Career paths in student affairs generally follow a conventional course: graduate degree to entry-level position, progressive responsibility until middle management, and then a decision to remain, work to advance, or change fields. Studies on factors influencing career advancement have enlightened qualitative considerations individuals face when…

Perceptions of student satisfaction living in special Fresh Start residence halls were collected (N = 1,160, 40% female, 11% minority, 72% freshmen). Satisfaction was influenced by out-of-state residency, satisfaction with two residence staff positions, and Fresh Start policies, as well as house comfort interaction factors and living in a suite or…

Used meta-analysis to integrate and summarize the empirical research from 1966 through 1987 regarding the influence of college residence halls on the academic performance of undergraduate students in the United States. Found research did not show living in a conventional residence hall significantly influenced academic performance over living at…

Multicampus study examined transformational and transactional leadership factors of hall directors (n=84) and resident assistants (n=806). Results indicated both male and female hall directors practiced transformational leadership behaviors. Hall director leadership behavior accounted for two-thirds of the variance in resident assistant…

Investigated incidence of eating disorders among 584 women living in university residence halls and differences in prevalence rates between single-sex and co-ed floors. Results revealed a significantly higher incidence of bulimic symptomatology on co-ed floors than on single-sex floors. (Author/NB)

Roommate satisfaction and ethnic identity was examined among randomly assigned roommate dyads at a large, public, predominantly white, southeastern university. Racial composition of roommate dyads, ethnic pride and other-group orientation were significant predictors of roommate satisfaction. Discusses implications for practice and suggestions for…

Examined rape-supportive attitudes among male college students (n=160) who varied by campus housing arrangement (single-sex residence halls, coeducational residence halls, fraternities) and exposure to education on sexual violence. Findings suggest that coeducational residence hall residents hold significantly less traditional ideas of gender…