Page 21 - College Planning & Management, April 2018

encouraging physical activity through placement of building elements and out- door amenities, as well as satellite coun- selling offices are all ways we see wellness being incorporated into the programming and design of residential life facilities.”
Mentioned both by survey respon- dents and Gatewood is the increasing number of emotional support animals being brought into residential facilities.
“The increase of students with emo- tional support animals (ESAs) has many campuses thinking hard about their interi- or finishes and overall approach to accom- modating ESAs,” Gatewood observes. “ESAs can also impact other residents or even future residents who may have aller- gies, or an animal that is not being proper- ly cared for properly by its owner can also be disruptive to other residents.”
Continuing to look at student experi- ence and expectations, what is the biggest change housing experts have seen in their residence halls in the last five years?
An increasing demand and expecta- tions for top-notch amenities remains the most frequently mentioned, leaving housing administrators scrambling to “keep up with the Joneses.”
“Incoming students are characterized by a deeper sense of entitlement and therefore have greater demands for amenities. This means FMs are trying to not only maintain existing buildings, but also enhance the features that are offered,” says one respon- dent. “[Students] want 21st-century ameni- ties, crave privacy and unlimited Internet/ WiFi bandwidth, expect pristine conditions at move-in, don’t want to take responsibil- ity for damages which occur, and expect all this at a mid-1960s price structure which no longer exists,” says another.
Related concerns: “Staying competitive with off-campus housing.” “Demand for private living/low roommate ratios.” “De- mand by the students for creature com- forts.” “High expectations for amenities and at the same time, low cost.” “Our stu- dents don’t want to live in residence halls (even our state-of-the-art suite styles),” re- ports one respondent, “due to the enticing apartments we own right across the street.”
Campus housing directors are on the front lines, working out the balance be-
tween student/parent wants and needs; residents’ safety and security; budgets; regulations; what can be accomplished realistically and what cannot; and keep- ing existing facilities up and running, attractive, and functional. In the face of these ongoing challenges, they’re keep- ing an eye on the bigger picture. “We’re just trying to create a welcoming, engag- ing, safe community for our resident stu-
Harlequin Floors
dents,” explains one respondent. CPM
CP&M would like to thank all who respond- ed to our 2018 survey. The survey data was collected from 198 colleges and universities (163 four-year, 35 two-year; 115 public, 76 private/nonprofit, seven private/for- profit) representing 48 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Guam, and the Marianas Islands.
Sprung and Vinyl Floors for Dance & Stage
Photo Credit: Birmingham Hippodrome
Harlequin Activity®
Permanent sprung floor system based on the well-established ‘triple sandwich’ construction.
Harlequin WoodSpring®
Permanent sprung floor system featuring a modern update of traditional ‘basket weave’ construction.
Harlequin Liberty®
Versatile, modular sprung floor panel system, designed for permanent or portable installation.
All sprung floor systems have been developed for use in combination with a Harlequin vinyl or wood performance surface including the popular Harlequin CascadeTM and Harlequin Studio.TM
HARLEQUIN FLOORS
American Harlequin Corporation
1531 Glen Avenue Moorestown, NJ 08057
800-642-6440 contact@harlequinfloors.com www.harlequinfloors.com
PHILADELPHIA FORT WORTH LOS ANGELES LONDON PARIS
BERLIN LUXEMBOURG MADRID SYDNEY HONG KONG TOKYO
CALL 800-642-6440 or VISIT www.harlequinfloors.com
For samples or information on Harlequin Floors complete range of vinyl and sprung floors.
APRIL 2018 / COLLEGE PLANNING & MANAGEMENT 21