How Does the Housing Experience Contribute to Learning Outcomes?

ACUHO-I, in partnership with EBI Benchmarking Assessments, developed the Resident Assessment to gain insight into resident perceptions. The assessment is based on professional standards and demonstrates to residents their viewpoints are important.

This research note explores how living in on-campus housing enhances learning outcomes.

In 2010, 315,565 students participated in the assessment.

Overall, most respondents reported that living in on-campus housing enhanced their abilities to achieve a variety of key learning outcomes related to personal and diverse interactions, time management, studying, problem solving and personal growth.

More than half reported that living in campus housing has enhanced their learning experience to a great extent. Respondents who were satisfied with their housing experience or participated frequently in housing activities and programs were most likely to report the positive contributions of housing.

1. Living in on-campus housing enhances both personal and diverse interactions.

   • More than 58% of respondents indicated that living on-campus enhanced their personal interactions including the ability to live cooperatively and meet other people.
   • More than half of respondents reported that living on-campus enhanced their ability to improve interpersonal relationships and resolve conflict.
   • Nearly six out of ten respondents reported that living in on-campus housing led to beneficial interactions with residents who were different from themselves in terms of beliefs, race/ethnicity, etc.

2. Living in on-campus housing enhances time management, problem solving, and study skills.

   • More than 57% of respondents indicated that the housing experience greatly enhanced their ability to solve their own problems.
   • Approximately 45% of respondents indicated that living in on-campus housing greatly enhanced their ability to manage their time more effectively.
   • More than 4 out of 10 respondents indicated living on-campus greatly enhanced their ability to study more effectively.

3. Living in on-campus housing enhances personal growth.

   • Approximately 6 out of ten respondents reported that living in on-campus housing greatly enhanced their overall personal growth including their respect for other races/ethnicities and their communication skills.
   • On-campus housing contributed greatly to 52% of respondents’ understanding of the consequences of drug and alcohol use and abuse.

4. Satisfaction with the on-campus housing experience is linked to learning outcomes.

   • Overall, respondents who were satisfied with their on-campus housing experience were significantly more likely than those not satisfied to indicate that living on campus greatly enhanced their learning outcomes.
   • Significant differences between respondents who were satisfied and those who were less satisfied were seen in all learning outcomes factors including personal interactions, diverse interactions, time management/study/problem solving, and personal growth.

5. Higher levels of participation in hall programs are linked with enhancement of learning outcomes.

   • Respondents who reported participating more frequently in housing programs/activities were significantly more likely than other participants to indicate their housing experience had enhanced their learning.
   • Specifically, respondents with the highest levels of participation were the most likely to indicate high levels of enhancement in learning outcomes related to personal interaction, diverse interactions, time management study/problem solving, and personal growth.

Conclusion

Respondents reported their experience living in on-campus housing contributed to their growth in key learning areas including personal interactions, diverse interactions, time management/studying/problem solving, and personal growth.

Respondents who were satisfied with their overall housing experience were more likely to report that housing contributed positively to their growth in these areas.

Similarly, respondents who participated in sponsored programs were also more likely to report that housing contributed positively to their learning outcomes.

On-campus housing plays an important role as it relates to student development and achievement of key learning outcomes.