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…

Intercession into collegiate alcohol misuse by the Department of Resident Life (DRL) in freshmen dormitories at one large Mid-Atlantic, diverse, public university was examined. Freshmen dormitory resident drinkers (n = 357), 71% of whom reported alcohol misuse, were surveyed. Student self-report and DRL documentation, respectively, revealed that…

For this qualitative case study we explored students' perceptions of institutional support and sense of belonging within the college environment. Following 10 low-income, first-generation college students out of a college access program and through their first year of college, we examined institutional support structures that have been reported to…

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.…

Previous research on the complex interplay between roommate factors and relational satisfaction has offered contradictory findings. This study establishes a typology that accounts for relational satisfaction among first-year college roommates. Drawing from the theoretical framework of Interactional Dialectics and the ideal hypothesis, three…

This study examined incoming first-year students' normative perceptions of alcohol use and alcohol-related attitudes of other students of the same gender living on their residence hall floor. Male and female residents overestimated the alcohol use behavior and related attitudes among their floormates. Results also showed that perceived norms were…

Honors programs at colleges and universities are one way to provide additional learning opportunities to enhance the undergraduate experience for students. Honors programs provide students academically enriching activities through small classes, research, internships, and community service (National Collegiate Honors Council, n.d.). To further the…

This study examined the contributions of campus racial climate perceptions and other college environments to overall sense of belonging among racially diverse women in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) majors. The sample included 1,722 women from the 2004 National Study of Living-Learning Programs. Using a conceptual…

This longitudinal study investigated to what extent noncognitive variables (e.g., expectations for college) and the college environment (i.e., academically based living-learning communities) influence students' college experience. This research goes beyond grouping all living-learning students into one category, which has dominated much of the…

Examined whether peak alert time is related to compatibility for college roommates. Data from 66 male pairs and from 55 female pairs of roommates revealed that pairs who were similar on self-reported peak circadian alertness had higher levels of rapport. (Author/NB)

In seven-campus study, found significant gender differences in self-perceptions of leadership and achieving style among hall directors (n=74). Found only hall director relational achieving styles were related to resident assistants' work unit's assessment of their hall director's transformational leadership. (Author)

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…

College freshmen (N=428) completed University Residence Environment Scales. Subjects perceived residence hall environment as reasonably harmonious with their views of ideal. Relationship between student-environment fit and sense of competence suggests that higher sense of competence was associated with perceptions that residence life should…

Discusses a community contracting plan at a residential high rise on campus. Conducted by the resident assistants of each floor, residents participated in two-hour meetings. Tentative decisions concerning, noise, visitation, cleanliness, and alcohol use were made, and each individual submitted a grade point average (GPA) goal for the semester.…

Resident assistants (n=117) on three rural campuses assessed frequency of occurrence and their preparedness for resolving 11 resident student problem areas and checked the skills they used to resolve these problems. Findings showed that training programs helped respondents address some issues and experience and maturity aided in the resolution of…