Surveyed college students about choice of residence. Results indicated students who chose residence halls felt more positive about their environment because of perceived emotional support and expression. Factors important to offcampus residents included better study atmosphere and new experiences. Suggests these needs be incorporated into…

Research on first-year students' perceptions of their learning environments revealed the aspects of their experiences that enhanced and hindered their learning. End of the semester reflection essays from first-year seminars were analyzed to ascertain students' views. Data analysis revealed that students need peers who provide personal and…

Student perceptions of residence hall environment were studied at Saint Mary's College (Indiana) with a 50% sample of freshmen and sophomores, a one-third sample of juniors, and a one-fifth sample of seniors. Consideration was given to the effects of the type of room (single, double, triple, quad, quint) and choice of residence (first, second,…

Residence hall students' (N = 1,186, 52% male, 90% White, 66% freshmen) involvement in their living community is influenced significantly by precollege student characteristics (gender, ethnicity), classification, attitudes (toward hall director, house cabinet, academic comfort, social environment, group study), and environmental variables (noise,…

This study investigated the effects of different types of learning communities in residence halls on the learning and intellectual development of first-year students at the University of Missouri (Columbia). Information sources included existing campus data and responses to the College Student Experiences Questionnaire. Compared to 469 students…