Learning Resources

Abstract: After the Baby Boomers came the Gen Xers, and now it’s the Millennials, or that population cohort born between 1982 and 2001. Exceeding the Boomers in sheer numbers, they are becoming a moving force in all sectors of society. Exhibiting a set of core traits significantly at odds with their predecessors, they are sometimes referred to as the “next great collegiate generation” and, as such, are having a profound effect on higher education space and services. This article explores Millennials in their historical context, identifies ways they are making their presence felt, and suggests how they are beginning to reshape higher education facilities.

Abstract: When it comes to building student housing, the stakes for universities and colleges have never been higher. From competing for prospective students and environmental bragging rights to contesting for space on the typical campus, institutions face a fundamentally different landscape than they did when housing previous generations of students. A national sampling of student residential projects and housing data provide some indication of emerging trends. Universities and colleges will increasingly look to the campus edge (even in difficult environments), will challenge themselves to build sustainably (even where budgets are tight), and will partner or compete with private developers in a variety of contexts. These emerging trends are set against the already-established trend that finds students enjoying—and expecting—more luxurious accommodations than were once typical.

Abstract: The focus on the quality of a student’s entire academic experience has led to a greater emphasis on student life activities and facilities. In response, many campuses are renovating, expanding, or creating new buildings that support student life. While many of these are traditional stand-alone student dormitories, dining facilities, unions, and recreational facilities, there are examples where these historically separate program elements have been combined in new mixed-use buildings, known as “fusion” facilities. This article examines some of the historical precedents of this phenomenon, gives relevant examples, and discusses advantages and disadvantages of this new building type.

Abstract: College campuses across the United States are increasingly challenged to educate psychologically distressed students and to recognize that college student mental health is not only a counseling center issue, but also a campus issue. As such, many colleges and universities are moving toward campuswide prevention efforts designed to help identify and support students who need to manage their distress. Prior research has highlighted these issues and described ways to involve campus units in initiating campuswide prevention efforts. This article focuses on the key elements necessary to successfully foster prevention efforts and includes practical suggestions to improve prevention protocols on campus.

Abstract: The composition of the university campus is founded on the provision of formal education and the classrooms this has required. Traditionally, informal learning has been of secondary importance, and much less attention has been paid to the development of the campus to support this activity. This article traces the development of three key types of “learning centers” intended as the university’s primary support for informal learning and raises questions about the limitations of this approach to campus development.

Abstract: This article presents a compilation of data regarding the role of online social networks within campus communities, specifically for nonacademic purposes. Both qualitative and quantitative data methodologies are used to provide a unique perspective on a constantly evolving topic. Interviews of students and administrators allow for candid discussion, while primary and secondary data offer an understanding of current use and trends within the realm of online social networking. Theories of self-esteem and interpersonal communication are integrated throughout the article.