Having recently completed a new 600 bed residential village on a former college site in Bangor we draw out some of the key conclusions from a recent conversation with Bangor University’s Head of Residences, Ken Griffith.
Ken spent the first 15 years of his career in the private sector, culminating in directorship roles in the manufacturing and service industries. The following 18 years have been spent in higher education, firstly as a researcher and lecturer, and then moving into senior managerial administrative and financial roles as well as the leader in pastoral care of resident students. In 2011 Ken was appointed head of the newly formed Halls of Residences department at Bangor University reporting directly to the pro vice chancellor for students.
What do students look for in residential accommodation?
Students want to forge new friendships from the very beginning. Shared entrance spaces with a welcoming domestic feel can encourage social interaction and ensure friendly faces are there to welcome each other home after lectures or study time. Additional lounge spaces (third spaces) within residential blocks provide additional options for meeting other residents and learning collaboratively.
At Bangor University’s St Mary’s Village, en-suite is the most popular accommodation option equating to 80% of the 600 rooms, with the remaining 20% offered as shared townhouses with a maximum of one bathroom between two. A sense of arrival starts with a striking new glazed reception and student hub. The 19th century quadrangle building is at the centre of the development and houses an events hall and mini cinema. A pedestrianised “village street” leads students past a student centre with a variety of communal facilities. High quality fitness facilities are becoming increasingly important and are provided on site.
How do universities ensure they make a good first impression with prospective students?
It is important to remember that parents’ first impressions will often influence the opinion of the student. While the accommodation offer is a factor, parents often want to know that they are handing their child over to a caring, customer focused and watchful institution. Ensuring this is communicated effectively is critical to a good first impression.
A good open day experience is key to attracting new students, and sharing the personal experiences of current residents is a great way to sell the benefits of a particular accommodation option, much more so than advice given by staff.
Often the best advice that existing students give, is for prospective students to engage in social media when applying for their accommodation online. At Bangor, students are able to meet their prospective neighbours on social media before they meet in person and select their room based on these new virtual friendships.
How do we ensure that the differing needs of first years, returners and postgraduates can be met?
Cluster blocks of accommodation provide personal spaces which allow the different student groups to surround themselves with like-minded people. However, large blocks can become impersonal areas where the sense of community can be lost. Limiting blocks to less than 100 rooms with a maximum of 4 floors per block can provide the best of both worlds.
At St Mary’s Village the clusters have paired corridors that meet in a shared lounge space encouraging up to 16 students on a floor to socialise together. This allows the different student groups to keep company within their own cohorts or come together with other groups for live events and film nights in the village’s site-wide shared facilities.
Whilst undergraduates tend to leave at the beginning of summer, postgraduates and some international students may choose to stay for longer periods. Situating these students together ensures no-one is isolated during this period. Housing a small team of wardens permanently on site ensures student safety and allows a selection of the entertainment and fitness facilities to remain permanently open.
How do we ensure students are able to maintain a healthy balance between study and socialising?
Student engagement outside of the traditional learning environments is key to student retention, course completion and satisfaction. Creating a social learning and living environment is therefore essential. Shared kitchens and lounges provide the first point in the social experience, and these can be layered with café and break out areas for casual learning, as well as a student lounge for shared activities.
Social spaces do not have to conflict with wellbeing and cultural diversity objectives. Replacing the traditional on-site student bar with a mix of cafés, sport and leisure facilities, entertainment offerings and social learning provisions, provides students with an alternative to the alcohol-driven activities which have traditionally dominated university life. Providing communal kitchens outside of the living accommodation which can be pre-booked by large groups, allows students to come together with friends outside of their living cluster at key times of the day to socialise. Particularly popular with international students these facilities also promote healthy eating and help create a sense of community.
How are universities responding to competition from private accommodation providers?
As fees have increased over the last few years the standards of service and facilities demanded by students have also risen dramatically. It is therefore critical to try and understand the full range of students’ needs and design facilities that satisfy them. That includes providing affordable options as well as “deluxe” provision.
Whilst traditionally first year students have applied directly to universities for accommodation, this can no longer be taken for granted. It is therefore important to attract final year undergraduates and postgraduates, not only for commercial reasons but to create a balanced and varied community. This provides all residents with a realistic experience of living with neighbours of different ages, cultures and life experiences, fostering a sense of communal responsibility.
The best student villages are environments that encourage study, social and communal interaction, and are supported by high quality pastoral care. Students’ experiences in halls are inseparable from their wider university experience and can often be the most memorable and significant in their educational life.
A full transcript of the Q&A with Ken Griffith can be accessed here.
