Depending on where you look for statistics, the number of students enrolling in colleges or universities is increasing, decreasing or remaining the about the same. Regardless of those trends, campus housing is a marketing tool for institutions looking to draw students to and keep them on campus. Schools need to offer sufficient beds and…

Residence halls--or dormitories, as they were once called--used to be places where students could sleep, dress, and study while attending college. They were the simplest of spaces, providing each student a bed, a desk, and a place to keep some clothes. And they were usually the least expensive buildings on campus. Things are different now.…

Provides advice on how to best meet the furniture needs of student residents now and in the future to ensure their privacy and value from the residence hall experience. Twenty tips are highlighted that include considering fire safety, upholstering, lifecycle costs, input from stakeholders, the Americans with Disabilities Act, comfort, lighting,…

Asserts that proper planning is a prerequisite for creating satisfactory laundry rooms in school residences. Identifies and explores the features that make a laundry room successful, and discusses how to get started. (GR)

Explains how Stanford University custom designed its own building maintenance and administration software package: the Housing Operations Maintenance Enterprise Resource (HOMER). Describes how HOMER relieved facility maintenance staff from some archaic systems, and its development and functionality. (GR)

Describes three projects showing that originality prevails in residence hall design. One creates a European feel in an urban neighborhood, one is an apartment renovations, and one supports group learning. Photos are included. (GR)

Explores the benefits of including high-brightness Light Emitting Diodes (LEDs) for emergency systems and its use in residence halls. LED emergency lighting options and their qualifications are also highlighted.(GR)

Asserting that residence hall furniture takes abuse simply through use, discusses a three-part approach--student involvement and education, creating the right environment, and ongoing maintenance--that helps reduce normal wear and tear. (EV)

Shares tips for making the right purchases of furniture for college residence halls, including issues of durability, aesthetics, flexibility and floor space, and delivery. (EV)

Explains the effective use of a centralized housing-repair request system at Northern Illinois University that has improved customer service and increased fiscal accountability. Describes the system and assesses of its effectiveness. (GR)

Examines the pros and cons of having a hotel associated with a college or university and tips on how school administrators can develop this type of partnership. (GR)

Explores the purchasing trends in residence hall furniture toward more durability but with a feel for home that better satisfies students' preferences while not being overly expensive. Tips on furniture purchasing are highlighted that include warranty considerations, student input, and customizing contracts. (GR)

Explains how high-rise residence halls can provide high-level safety and security at colleges and universities. Boston University is used to illustrate high-rise security and fire protection issues. (GR)

Describes the Western Ridge Residence at Colorado College and Beard Hall at Wheaton College. The buildings feature multiple levels that take advantage of views and also help create a "homey" feeling. (EV)

Describes how Portland State University brought broadband into its older residence halls using Long-Reach Ethernet, a technology that delivers high bandwidth across the unconditioned telephone-grade wire that already existed in the buildings. (EV)