Decreased funding, slowing enrollment, overwhelming student debt, and higher operating costs are just some of the challenges facing higher education. Now we must also take into consideration all of the realities that will shake out on campuses following a pandemic. Recruiting and retaining students is vital. Campus housing is a valuable marketing tool to attract students and keep them living on campus.  Residence hall renovations preserve campus character and eliminate costly additional land development. These critical campus updates also convert existing housing into a valuable asset while promoting sustainability.

In a survey of more than 25,000 students, more than 78 percent of respondents said that the availability of high-quality housing affected their college selection. The reality is that the majority of existing on-campus student housing stock in the U.S. has become mediocre at best. Often, these facilities are used year-round and the most attention they receive is the yearly paint job a few days before students move in for the fall semester.

Lingering uncertainties related to the COVID-19 pandemic, along with shifting demographics, cultures, and student wants and needs are transforming expectations of student housing. Re-imaging existing on-campus housing benefits the institution and the community.

Renovating Campus Residence Halls

Learn more about the benefits and opportunities available through on-campus housing renovations by downloading the whitepaper.

Download the Whitepaper

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About the Author

Carson Parr, AIA, LEED AP BD+C, WELL AP, NCARB

Carson has responsibility for coordinating multi-disciplinary teams and guiding projects through the planning and design phases into construction and occupancy. He works closely with clients to translate design objectives into innovative solutions within the constraints of budgets, schedules and accessibility guidelines. Carson is an NCARB Registered Architect, a LEED Accredited Professional and a WELL Accredited Professional. He is a member of the American Institute of Architects and past president of the AIA Central PA Chapter. Carson also participates in the Penn State University architectural student mentoring program. In 2021 he was a recipient of the Penn State Alumni Association’s Alumni...

Learn More About Carson