The experience of belonging and inclusion is critical for all college and university students, and for those on the autism spectrum it may be even more so. This phenomenological study explored the specific experiences of undergraduate residential students who identified as having Autism Spectrum Disorder. Findings can lead to a greater…

Meeting the food requirements of international students is one of the many responsibilities of campus dining services that can, if fulfilled well, contribute to the success and retention of these students. Colleges and universities are continuing to diversify their enrollment with the recruitment of international students. Because many of these…

Residential communities are a critical component of many students' experience on a college campus, especially during their first year. Residential communities have been associated with a variety of positive outcomes, including persistence, openness to diversity, satisfaction, critical thinking, and personal development (Astin, 1977 & 1993;…

As University housing offices seek to maximize use of their available beds, it is valuable to understand the factors that are most important in influencing students to choose to move off campus. This study compares importance ratings on a wide range of housing factors for students who planned to stay on campus and those who planned to move off…

A sense of mattering among college students has been found to have positive outcomes, including lower levels of anxiety and depression as well as increased self-esteem, wellness, happiness, and job satisfaction. However, the feeling of mattering among Resident Assistants (RAs) has received little attention in literature. This quantitative study…

The purpose of this study was to examine the demographic and academic variables of students involved in roommate changes to determine which variables predict who will move from a room and who will stay in a room and what alternatives to current housing arrangements are selected by those who initiate the roommate changes. [This article was…

Whether contemplating a swim in a river or a dive into the expanse of the Atlantic ocean, I am definitely more comfortable when I can see or touch the bottom. The farther out I swim, the more anxious I get, mostly because of the unknown. This analogy seems to capture the tentativeness that faculty members sometimes feel, specifically at large…

The purpose of this study was to compare the Experiences of students residing in on-campus housing with those of students residing in fraternity/sorority housing, specifically to explore the differences in academic success, alcohol use, and perceptions of the living environment as a function of students' living arrangement and gender. The…

Examined physical and social factors that may contribute to occupancy of graduate residence halls. Surveyed 85 residents of three graduate residence halls. Data suggest that convenience to class/campus and a private room are primary factors influencing student occupancy. Other contributing, but less important, factors included safety, academic…

Examined relationship between student residence (on-campus university housing, on-campus fraternity/sorority housing, off-campus nonuniversity housing) and alcohol use by investigating how drinking patterns and irresponsible acts related to drinking vary with gender and with housing arrangement. Results from 1,097 college students revealed that…

Presents two studies which surveyed college students (N=304 and 448) to examine the impact of living environment on academic performance. Contrary to previous research, students living off-campus reported higher grade point averages than on-campus students. Advantages and disadvantages of specific living arrangements are discussed. (JAC)

Surveyed college students about choice of residence. Results indicated students who chose residence halls felt more positive about their environment because of perceived emotional support and expression. Factors important to offcampus residents included better study atmosphere and new experiences. Suggests these needs be incorporated into…