On-Campus Housing and the 2-Year College

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On-campus housing at community colleges may be a new idea to some, but many people do not realize that, according to American Association of Community Colleges (2016), that 28% of community colleges have on-campus housing options.

While the number of students in community college housing is only a small fraction of the overall population, many community colleges are finding ways to provide living communities in community colleges. Having on-campus housing can be a benefit to many students who made need it, but it does have its limitations. 

Positives for On-Campus Housing in Community Colleges

There are several important benefits for providing housing in community colleges. These positives have been shown to help students not only find affordable housing but also build relationships within their community and the community college they are a part of. 

Low-Cost Housing

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Low-cost housing for students can be an important factor in providing students access to a college education. Whether the student is in a rural community college or in a community college located in a major city, low-cost housing is a big issue for many students. According to Bekurs (2007), low-cost housing for students can open the door to student success by removing the burden of high housing costs. Anytime we can reduce living costs and expenses for students, the better chances the student has to succeed. 

Student Support and Access

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In addition to the need for low-cost housing, more students can be supported on a continual basis if they live on campus. According to Belfield and Bailey (2011), community colleges can provide more support to individual students through their residential support staff. This can help strengthen student study skills and build better communication skills between students. According to Moeck, Hardy, and Leech (2007), community colleges offer housing as a way to improve student development instead of reasons relating to finances for low cost education. It is also important to note that on campus housing can provide better access and connection to resources through college provided services. This helps with access in addition to helping students with cost.

The Downside of On-Campus Housing in the Community College

There are a couple of downsides to offering housing in the community college. Most of it is related to issues affecting the community college and its funding. Colleges have a hard time funding the high cost associated with developing dorms and programs for live in students. 

Cost

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While it can help students with low-cost housing, it can create problems for the community college and its funding. With budgets already slashed at many community colleges, it is virtually impossible to find funding for dorms, programs, and residential staff. According to Bekurs (2007), is it too costly for most colleges to establish these living spaces. In fact, Bekurs (2007), states that colleges may result in outsourcing their housing just like they outsource their bookstores and dining facilities. This does not lower costs for students and only works to minimize costs for the college. In the end, the cost increases for students and can defeat reason housing was needed in the first place. 

Programs

In addition, the cost for hiring residential staff can be too much for many colleges. The development of campus programs and support is challenging enough, but will only get more complicated as live-in programs and residential staff will cost more, in addition to living on campus. 

Conclusion 

In the end, low-cost, on-campus housing can be beneficial to students, it can be too cost restrictive to the community college. Each community college must decide on how the benefits will work for them, while limiting the burden of cost without sacrificing low-cost living and effective programs for students. Perhaps some solutions can be worked through if federal funding for students increase or if more grants provide funding for on-campus housing in our nations community colleges. 

Just a few things to think about. 

References:

American Association of Community Colleges (2016). On-Campus Housing. Data Points, 4(23).

Bekurs, G. (2007). Outsourcing student housing in American community colleges: Problems and prospects. Community college journal of Research and practice, 31(8), 621-636.

Belfield, C. R., & Bailey, T. (2011). The benefits of attending community college: A review of the evidence. Community College Review, 39(1), 46-68.

Moeck, P. G., Hardy, D. E., Katsinas, S. G., & Mark Leech, J. (2007). On-campus housing at rural community colleges. Community College Journal of Research and Practice, 31(4), 327-337.