OccupancyEvaluations_EvaluatingCampusLiving

Evaluating Campus Living Occupancy evaluations reveal opportunities for student success

We believe in supporting the student holistically—their experience, health, and well-being. Our partners share this commitment.

When the Association of College and University Housing Officers – International (ACUHO-I) surveyed more than 75,000 students across 76 campuses, they found living on campus has “a clear and profound impact on student persistence and engagement,” underscoring the value of residential life.

Residence Halls are essential, integral parts of every campus. A healthy Residence Hall is more than a place for students to live—it is a support system that helps them to thrive. To truly understand what makes a Residence Hall “healthy,” it’s important to assess how the building supports student satisfaction. Our Human Experience Research team plays a critical role in this process, ensuring our approach is a holistic strategy and grounded in data.

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Evaluating Campus Living

Occupancy Evaluations Occupancy Evaluations capture feedback on a building’s performance and occupant satisfaction.

They reveal how a Residence Hall’s design supports students and provide valuable data to guide capital improvements.

Our interdisciplinary team of researchers, interior designers, and architects brings a complementary blend of expertise. We understand firsthand how housing shapes student health and well-being, and we are committed to carrying the knowledge back to our practice.

Key benefits and outcomes include:

Through a diagnostic approach, we deliver clear, actionable recommendations. We recognize capital planning efforts don’t happen overnight, but having the right information is powerful—it can validate existing priorities or inspire new ones.

nj Apply insights to guide data-driven decisions in future residence life renovations, new constructions and capital planning nj Evaluate recurring housing challenges through design and operational lenses using student reported survey data nj Prioritize student health by identifying key building performance factors that impact wellbeing nj Determine if design goals and objectives were achieved

Approximately two-thirds of students said that campus facilities factored at-least somewhat into their decision.

2022 STUDENT VOICE SURVEY

BY INSIDE HIGHER ED AND COLLEGE PULSE

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Beyond the Checklist Mixed Method Research Tools Our approach goes beyond a commissioning checklist, like those tracked in LEED or WELL. We look at context, spatial characteristics, student outcomes, and environmental conditions to understand how the design of Residence Halls can either support or hinder the well-being and success.

We measure student perceptions such as sense of belonging or satisfaction with acoustics, offering insights into how residents actually experience a space. Just as important, we connect these perceptions to demographic data, allowing us to see how different communities experience the Residence Hall. This linkage exposes disparities that might otherwise remain hidden and ensures design decisions are guided by equity and inclusion.

When equity and inclusion drive design, the result is not only more responsive but also stronger, more resilient, and ultimately more effective.

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Surveys Occupancy evaluations can vary in scope and scale. Each approach offers strengths and limitations including: nj Single building evaluation ‒ Strengths: easy to deploy; specific focus ‒ Limitations: potential small sample size limits generalizability nj Comprehensive portfolio assessments ‒ Strengths: cross-sectional view to understand common challenges ‒ Limitations: more resource-intensive

Evaluating Campus Living

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Need more data? Additional services can help validate the data.

We recommend conducting them after the preliminary analysis is complete.

Interviews with Facilities

Focus Groups with Students

Physical Assessment and Site Visits

The Facilities team is in the trenches of these buildings and can provide insight related to:

Hosting focus groups with students adds a layer of depth and nuance to our research. Meeting with targeted populations captures diverse perspectives to:

Reviewing as-built documents for context is helpful but firsthand experience verifies real world conditions. Our team will be able to:

nj Address group-specific challenges

nj Observe student behavior in context

nj Create safe space for honest feedback

nj Identify visible issues

nj Operational systems performance (HVAC, lighting, plumbing, overall systems) nj Student requests and complaints nj Maintenance trends nj Durability of materials and finishes nj Space functionality and usage nj Security and access issues Recommended timeframe: (1) virtual meeting with Facilities Manager(s)

nj Identify oversights that disproportionately affect certain groups nj Identify equity and inclusion issues nj Enhance validity of survey results Recommended timeframe: Host 2-4* virtual focus group meetings nj Each focus group would include 4-6 students nj *Number of focus groups depending on scale of study 5

nj Assess functionality and usability of spaces Recommended timeframe: 1-2* days of site visits nj Walk building(s) with Facilities Manager(s) nj *Number of days depending on scale of study

Timing Matters Feedback at the right time drives the best outcomes. We determine the most effective occupancy evaluation approach based on institutional goals, capital planning priorities, and campus improvement cycles.

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Evaluating Campus Living

Timing of Occupancy Evaluations

Pre

Pre-Post

Post

Timing

Before- snapshot in time

Before-After comparison

After- snapshot in time

Diagnosing

What would be valuable next

What changed and why

What is or is not working right now

Measuring

Consider next steps

Diagnose causality

Diagnose current symptoms

Informing

Value for the next project

Before informs after

Lessons learned

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From Analysis to Action

We know meaningful research takes time.

Drafting, disseminating, and preliminary analysis typically span an academic semester, and this upfront investment leads to more robust findings. If supplemental studies are needed to validate results, they can be conducted the following semester.

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Evaluating Campus Living

Semester Long Engagement

Together

Month

Month

Month

Month

01

02

03

04

nj Convene kick-off

nj Launch student

meeting

nj Follow-up meetings

survey

to discuss findings

nj Determine scope

nj Determine next

of study (i.e.

steps (i.e. interest

single building or

in supplemental

comprehensive

studies)

portfolio assessment)

University

nj Review draft survey

nj Send minimum

nj Provide basic

nj Review

Housing and

questions and

(2) email blasts to

information about

research teams’

Residential

provide feedback

students

Residence Hall(s)

recommendations

Life Team

surveyed for context

nj Send pilot survey to select group of students (i.e. RAs) for respondent feedback

Perkins&Will

nj Develop and refine

nj Monitor survey

Research

diagnostic pilot

response counts

Team

survey questions

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nj Conduct

nj Synthesize and

comprehensive

disseminate initial

survey analysis

survey findings

nj Stratify data based

nj Draft design-focused

on demographics to

recommendations

understand specific

for immediate and

populations’ needs

future actions

Looking Back to Look Ahead Conducting occupancy evaluations requires a strong foundation. We begin with a standard set of questions for every campus, creating a baseline for our data. From there, we add campus- and project-specific questions.

Each occupancy evaluation is tailored to the unique culture of the campus. The following three examples, differing in scale and target population, illustrate how surveys can reveal where Housing and Residential Life Leadership might focus priorities going forward.

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Evaluating Campus Living

A Comprehensive Portfolio Assessment Client: Plymouth State University

At Plymouth State University, we conducted a comprehensive portfolio

Location: Plymouth, New Hampshire

assessment of all 10 Residence Halls, examining both environmental and

Size: Full Residential Portfolio

experiential criteria. This cross-sectional survey offered a full snapshot

Student Population: Undergraduate

of the campus life and revealed shared challenges across the Residence

Survey Deployed: Fall 2024 Deliverable: White-paper report with overall findings and tailored feedback per building

Halls. By pairing current data with historical information, we created “sister building” case studies that showed how student satisfaction improved in renovated halls. Student feedback highlighted the tangible benefit of these updates. Our final report translated these insights into short- and long-term recommendations, giving the university the tools to guide the future of its residential community.

Sample Questions "What began as an assessment of how our newest building on campus impacted students’ health and performance, quickly expanded to include our entire residential inventory. The team was attentive, responsive, and professional to work with throughout the process and while we ‘geeked out’ together over the data collected. The information shared by our residents and analyzed by the team validated anecdotal facilities concerns and has been influential in identifying and communicating priorities with campus leadership."

How satisfied are you with the noise level during the day? At night?

You mentioned you are dissatisfied with the noise level. Which of the following contribute to this problem?

How often do you use the common spaces?

Overall, how safe do you feel in and around your Residence Hall?

Lowest Performer

Highest Performer Average

Amanda J. Grazioso, M.ED Executive Director of Residential Life, Dining Services, & Community Standards

1 Extremely dissatisfied

2 Somewhat dissatisfied

3 Neutral

45 Somewhat satisfied

Extremely satisfied

Plymouth State University

↑ Sample graphic in final deliverable visualizes Likert Scale. Since multiple buildings were surveyed, analysis includes which buildings were low and high performers.

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Graduate Housing Single Building Evaluation Client: Massachusetts Institute of Technology

In 2020, Perkins&Will and NADAAA designed MIT’s Site 4 in Kendall

Location: Cambridge, Massachusetts

Square, a mixed-use building that includes graduate housing. Two years

Size: Single Residence Hall, 480,000 square feet

after occupancy, our research team conducted a survey to understand

Student Population: Graduate

how the space was performing. Follow-up interviews with facilities staff

Survey Deployed: Spring 2022 Deliverable: Slide deck with key take-aways and back-up data/findings

provided additional context and helped validate student responses, while a review of the floor plans offered insight into design challenges and sources of dissatisfaction. We shared our findings with MIT and the design team, offering recommendations to inform future projects and enhance the student experience.

What we Heard “Need more built-in storage spaces and equipment. Half of the storage space above the refrigerator is wasted because the storage is too high and too deep.”

"The occupancy evaluation process and outcomes confirmed what we had observed over the first few years of Site 4 being open - but with compelling data.

It also provided helpful strategies and ideas that we can hopefully integrate in our next project."

“Additional storage space.”

“I would like to improve the lack of storage.”

Naomi Lane Associate Dean, Graduate Residential Life Massachusetts Institute of Technology

↑ Analysis of floor plans allows us to more fully understand the amount of storage.

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Evaluating Campus Living

A Comprehensive and Strategically Aligned Effort Client: Wentworth Institute of Technology

To inform the design of Wentworth's new landmark Residence Hall, we

Location: Boston, Massachusetts

conducted a comprehensive portfolio assessment of the institution’s

Size: Full Residential Portfolio

existing residential inventory. The assessment aimed to identify key

Student Population: Undergraduate

challenges and priorities, focusing on student health, wellbeing, and

Survey Deployed: Spring 2026

overall residential experience. Our analysis examined both individual

Deliverable: Slide deck with key take-aways

student bedrooms and shared community spaces, while evaluating how

correlated with Strategic Action Plan

the physical environment supports community building and a sense of belonging. Our final presentation of findings included recommendations to support and advance Wentworth’s broader goals as outlined in their Strategic Action Plan.

What we Heard "This portfolio assessment gave us valuable insights directly from our students, helping to validate some assumptions while challenging others. The team was an outstanding partner, creating an assessment process tailored to our campus and housing portfolio.

The results will directly inform our planning, helping us advocate for and make meaningful improvements to our students' residential experience."

Kitchens allow students to control their food choices, which is important for those with allergies or dietary restrictions. A balanced diet enhances memory, focus, and energy levels.

“I would like there to be an opportunity to cook in a kitchen.”

“I love that we have kitchens in each suite that includes a stove and full fridge. It make me feel more at home and comfortable.”

Inclusive Excellence

Jenn Kosses Associate Vice President and Dean of Students Wentworth Institute of Technology

Commitment to Sustainability

High Value Learning

→ Sample radar chart in final deliverable which visualizes how access to kitchens supports the five pillars of Wentworth's Strategic Action Plan.

Next Generation Partnerships

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Transformative Student Experience

Occupancy evaluations provide actionable insights into Residence Halls, helping campuses enhance student well-being, satisfaction, and operational priorities.

David Damon Principal, Practice Leader David.Damon@perkinswill.com +16174063481

225 Franklin Street Suite 700 Boston, MA 02110