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This slide set from the recent conference of the Association of College and University Housing Officers-International (ACUHO-I) is worth a look. (If this link does not take you right to the session, just select “guest” at the login prompt and filter for a portion of the title.)

Longitudinal studies of the ACUHO-I/EBI Resident Assessment indicate that satisfaction with personal space and dining services has improved while personal interaction has declined. Since personal interaction is the top predictor of a student's perception of the effectiveness of the residence hall and an important component to student development, it is vital that programs better understand and work to improve personal interaction. We propose that getting creative in the use of the dining facility could promote student interaction.

Research [was] presented showing the trend of declining personal interactions. Linking research to practice, representatives from a large dining program will discuss how they turned their dining centers into community centers where students come together for events, movies, and special programming. They also have "random acts of food" popping up around halls and events centered on interaction. Come to this program to learn about national trends, learn from a very creative dining operation how they?re supporting student interactions, and brainstorm other ways that dining facilities can be used to help promote student interaction.

Note that this fall's SCUP Pubs Campus-Space MOJO will visit student housing as a topic from October 27–November 7. ACUHO-I will be joining us. Why don’t you?

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This article, Essential Student Affairs Services in a Campus Crisis, in ACUHO-I's Talking Stick magazine by James E. Brunson III, Michael Stang, and Angela Dreesen, is a chapter in the new book, Enough is Enough: A Student Affairs Persepective on Preparedness and Response to a Campus Shooting, from ACPA/NASPA.

A good article/chapter, helping to make the case that student services input and preparation must be a key part of any campus crisis or emergency response plan:

Conclusion

This chapter highlights essential services needed in response to a campus crisis. Specific roles, functions, and use of staff and resources in departments and officers such as housing and dining, student activities, and international student services are defined.

Additionally, partnerships between essential services departments and other campus units and community agencies are emphasized. Of course, all student affairs departments and professionals can be integral in crisis response, but thoughtful preplanning and preparation for thees units can greatly enhance student services during a campus crisis.

The entire book can be purchased here.

 

College Planning & Management magazine's 2009 college housing report, "Living on Campus," finds that the median cost per square foot of housing has dropped by the largest amount since it was $80/sq ft in 1997, rising to more than $230 sq ft in 2008. A sub-report inside the full report is titled: "Housing Officers Are Juggling Student Expectations With an Uncertain Economy." Yep, aren't we all?



Read it here:
http://www.peterli.com/cpm/pdfs/CollegeHousing2009.pdf