The Residential Transition: Defining Community in Undergraduate Apartments

1
The Residential TransitionDefining Community
in Undergraduate Apartments

• Patty Griffin
• Rena Murphy
• ACUHO-I 2005

University Housing University of Michigan
2
Todays Presentation

• General Overview of University Housing
• The Transition
• Purpose of the Research Study
• Project Logistics
• Analysis of Data
• Future use of Data
• Open Discussion and Questions
• Project Sponsored by a Research Grant from ACUHO-I

3
Overview of University Housing

• Approximately 9,700 residents in traditional
  residence halls
• 95-98 of first year students live on campus
• Approximately 1,400 residents in Family Housing
• Residence Education and Family Housing two
  different departments

4
The Transition

• 550 additional students admitted to the
  university in fall 2004
• Guaranteed housing for all first year students
• Logistics of the transition
• Dynamics of Family Housing and the changing of
  their demographics
• Geographical layout of students in Northwood
  I-III
• The addition of 5 undergraduate staff members
  (Northwood Advisors)
• One-year appointment of Coordinator of ResEd
  Transitions

5
Purpose of Research Study

• New population of students in Family Housing
• Ambiguity of what undergraduates need in
  apartment style setting
• Nationwide research on this topic is virtually
  nonexistent
• What should community look like for our students?
  
• Questions focused on specific living features to
  address how residents defined community.
• Undergraduates will be living in Northwood for
  years to come information used for future
  planning and marketing

6
Project Logistics

• Five member research team
• Conducted six 1½ hour focus groups
• Entire population invited as participants
• 33 participants (16 response)
• 19 women, 14 men
• Offered a 20 credit to Entrée Plus account for
  participation
• Research team reviewed tapes
• Created themes from the focus groups and
  developed recommendations for Housing

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Focus Group Themes

• Experiences Feelings Related to Living in
  Northwood
• a transition to greater independence
• the role of the Resident Staff
• serene surroundings
• the feeling of isolation
• living with families
• location of community center
• experiences with parking, amenities and services
• issues with outdoor lighting at night

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Focus Group Themes

• The Role Of Community in Apartments
• the need for a gathering space
• isolation vs. privacy
• student government body
• (dont lose this voice)
• community building activities
• community when it is convenient
• undergraduate communication

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Marketing from a Student Perspective

• Personal space and private kitchens
• Scenic and quiet
• All utilities included, no monthly payments
• Youre on your own, but still on campus
• Lower cost and availability of parking
• Optional 9 and 12 month contracts, do not have to
  leave for breaks
• Early move-in and extended move-out period for 9
  month contract
• External storage space

10
Recommendations for the Future

• Change the area name to better reflect all
  residents
• Create spaces for incidental contact with other
  students
• Review transportation services and bus routes
• Provide additional access for cable and DSL
• Create newsletters, website, and documents
  specifically for undergraduates
• Shift the focus of staff community building
• Provide information on outfitting your
  apartment

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Open Discussion Questions

• Rena Murphy, Ph.D. Patty Griffin
• Director of Housing Research Program
  Coordinator, Family Housing
• University of Michigan University of Michigan
• 515 E. Jefferson St., Suite 1500 1000 McIntyre
  St.
• Ann Arbor, MI 48109-1316 Ann Arbor, MI
  48105-2494
• [phone] [phone]
• rkmurphy_at_umich.edu pgriffin_at_umich.edu
• www.housing.umich.edu