Page 42 - College Planning & Management, November 2017

INTERIORS
DRAWING COMMUTER STUDENTS IN
how interior design can create attractive campus spaces where commuter students want to stay.
by Tracy Tafoya
FOR the four-year degree student, staying on campus — even living on campus — is not that uncommon. However, for students attend- ing community colleges or studying in vocational programs, campus might just feel like a place to go to class and then immediately depart.
Modern community college campuses are hoping to change this trend. While it’s true that many students have different needs and obligations that might take them off-campus more often, there are many benefits to encouraging students to remain on the premises to
form bonds with fellow students or faculty, to take advantage of on-campus resources and sim- ply to feel a sense of connection to their college.
Today, architects and design- ers are giving a lot of thought to the different ways that an interi-
or space can affect behaviors and encourage different outcomes in students of all ages, income levels and backgrounds. In particular, we’re thinking about how interior design — from floors, to light, to furniture — can influence how students feel about their campus, and how they experience it from day to day.
Concentrate on Engaging Students Where They Are
Architects and designers in the education realm must con- centrate on different ways to engage students during their everyday travels. Students these days have several, almost con- stant demands on their time, from school, to social media, to an outside job or even a family to think about. It’s important that interiors allow students to en- gage at many points throughout the day. While there are times when students need spaces that provide focus and concen- tration, equally important are those spaces with energy, noise;
42 COLLEGE PLANNING & MANAGEMENT / NOVEMBER 2017
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