STUDENT ACCOMMODATION: AN IMPORTANT PART OFTHE STUDENT EXPERIENCEJenny Shaw, UNITE Group

STUDENT ACCOMMODATION: A HISTORY

1945-1970s 1970s-1990s 1990s -• HE sector grows –

but growth in accommodation outpaces it

• Learning in a residential academic community

• “Civilising” – cultural and professional norms

• Moral/religious approach to pastoral care, e.g. wardens

• Enabled by grants

• HE sector expansion – but sector investment in accommodation retained

• Lowered age of majority – lowered need for pastoral care

• Living away from home “rite of passage” into adulthood – shared houses

• HE sector massification – sector investment in accommodation can’t keep pace

• New universities without their own accommodation stock

• Student accommodation as a commercial venture – higher spec halls

• Expanded HiMO sector (buy-to-let available)

• Private halls

WHAT DOES EXISTING RESEARCH TELL US?

ASPECTS OF THE STUDENT EXPERIENCE

PHYSIOLOGICAL

SAFETY

BELONGING

ESTEEM

SELF ACUTAL-ISATION

WHAT IS IMPORTANT?

Sources of stress: Noise; inability to study; inability to sleep; conflict with other students; having to maintain good relationships in difficult situations (Dusselier et al, 2005; Audin, 2003)

What makes a difference: Management approach; in-house source of pastoral support; issues resolved (Royal College of Psychiatrists, 2011; Crouch et al, 2007)

PHYSIOLOGICAL

SAFETY

WHAT IS IMPORTANT?

All studentsHappiness with other students important to wellbeing (Audin, 2003)

Programme of social events promotes community (Paltridge et al, 2010)

Student engagement/interaction can increase persistence (Naylor, 2009)

7% of students report being bullied (Coleyshaw, 2010)BELONGING

International students / minority groupsManagement actions and policies important in preventing students feeling like outsiders (Paltridge et al, 2010; Harwood et al; 2012)

WHAT IS IMPORTANT

Experience of accommodation can impact on academic success, positively and negatively (e.g. Pat-Mbano et al, 2012; Pascarella & Terenzini, 2005; Thomas, 2002; Loots, 2009)

Students placed on the same floor as others studying the same subject do better academically (Smith, 2010)

Students who have structured interactions with students from different backgrounds may have better academic outcomes and employability skills (Gurin et al, 2002; Hu & Kuh, 2003)

ESTEEM

SELF ACUTAL-ISATION

WHAT DID 2012 APPLICANTS WANT?

DO FEES CHANGE EXPECTATIONS?

Academic facilities and student accommodation are expected to improve.

Base: 404 Student Experience Research January 2012

EXPECTATIONS OF STUDENT ACCOMMODATION

Accommodation expectations are basic but it should be good quality, clean, modern and safe. The cost of accommodation is also important.

Base: 282

Student Experience Research January 2012

I only really value liveable space. I do not

demand much in the way of luxury for living space and so will seek the cheapest student

accommodation so that money can be spent on

other things. I would want the university accommodation to be good enough so that I think that I'm living in a second home. If I've come back from a hard days work to accommodation which is not desirable then I wouldn't be happy and may end up resenting the university. Also, if I wanted to study in my university dorm room then I'd prefer to have a nice room.

So that I can feel safe in the environment, and if it is

great accommodation, I can concentrate more, as the environment will be good

This would mean a lot because I'd want to be living in a safe and clean place. I don’t

want to be living somewhere with worry knowing that something could go wrong

anytime and not put my focus on education.

Single room. Not bothered about sharing a bathroom.

Modern (ish), bright (makes all the difference), appropriate facilities in good condition (ie kitchen appliances, bathroom etc), not sharing a bath/ shower/ toilet with more than 2 or 3 other people, feeling secure but not massively strict rules

Very important that all first years are integrated. Accommodation has a great deal to do with this. Many of my friends have left uni because they feel alienated by difficulty of integrating due to situation / type of accommodation.

EXPECTATIONS OF STUDENT ACCOMMODATION

Q23

Base: 424

Q24

Base: 408

WHAT’S ACTUALLY HAPPENING?

OLD EXPECTATIONS

A place to stayClean, well maintained etc.

Social programmeWelfare programme

EmployabilityPersonal development

Added value

Hygiene factors

NEW EXPECTATIONS

A place to stayClean, well maintained etc.

Social programmeWelfare programme

Employability Personal development

Added value

Hygiene factors

DISTINCTIVENESS

Highly nurturing environment with single-sex corridors and strong policies on noise, visitors etc. Embedded and proactive student services.

Vibrant, multicultural environment with an emphasis on communal space. ResLife being rolled out. Student services mainly reactive and centralised.

No university-owned accommodation but strong pastoral support across third-party contracts. Room allocations made on the basis of developing a balanced community. Additional support for students identified as vulnerable.

Traditional halls model with high emphasis on student engagement. All social events and some pastoral work via JCRs. Resident wardens who are senior academics and postgrads.

Urban living with some halls allocation but a high reliance on private housing. Emphasis on vocational curriculum and employer engagement, with high proportion of local students. Student services are reactive.

WHAT’S NEXT?

HOW HAVE THINGS CHANGED?

Moral guardian

‘Civilising’Social norms for professions

Scholarly community

Employability Citizenship

Academic skillsGraduateness

1945 2012

Minors Adults Extended adolescence?

WHAT NEXT?

• Extended adolescence - Wellbeing• HE market - Distinctiveness• Can accommodation add value in terms of:

Internationalisation Global citizenship Personal development Academic development Student engagement