University Housing – COVID-19 Challenges Presented, Successes Achieved

Our ISU residence hall students, like everyone else, have been deeply affected by the COVID-19 crisis. Our priorities have not shifted, and our job remains the same: we are here to help our students succeed. Although our delivery of that help has changed, it is our one constant.

As we adapted to this changing landscape, we encouraged our students in the residence halls to either return home or to relocate to one of our apartment complexes.  As the students were making their decisions about how and where to finish the term, the housing staff provided the assistance the students needed. Whether it was moving their belongings to a different location on campus, streamlining the checkout process, or completing the hours of logistical work that went into these changes, our staff worked tirelessly to allow for a smooth transition in a difficult time.

We still have a few students living in the Rendezvous and Schubert Heights. These students, as well as all of the tenants in our apartment communities, can still take advantage of housing services that have always been available…they are just delivered in a slightly different format now.  

Our professional staff (resident directors) and our paraprofessional staff (building managers and resident assistants) are well trained to help students in acclimating to, and succeeding, in college life. These resources, and the students’ willingness to take advantage of them, have historically been part of the reason that students who live on campus perform better academically and retain at a higher level than their off-campus peers. We are hopeful that the students who have returned home for the semester will return in the fall to continue taking advantage of these great communities. Although the COVID-19 situation cut short the stay on campus for most of our students this semester, there were still many wonderful relationships that developed over the course of the year, relationships that in some cases, will last a lifetime.

Aim for the Future - Encourage Students to Live on Campus

Looking forward, when you have the opportunity, please encourage students to live on campus. Over the past eight years at Idaho State, we have documented that traditionally-aged freshmen living in the residence halls earn higher grade point averages than their off-campus peers, and that student retention is higher for on-campus students than students living in the Pocatello community. 

We believe that these successes are tied to several things. First, students living on campus live with other students, which means living with people with similar goals, aspirations, and schedules. Students choosing to live off campus have little to no control over whom they live near.  Second, students living on campus have greater access to campus services, activities, and academic support.  Even though these same services are available to all students, we have found that the students living on campus are more likely to take advantage of them; this seems to be due to having better access through proximity and campus support (housing staff).  And third (although certainly not last), living on campus is fun, and provides a sense of belonging. Students who reside on campus are provided the opportunity to be a member of an enjoyable and engaged community that will form many life-long friendships and future business connections.

As you speak to potential incoming students, please share with them the advantages that living on campus provides. 

The Future’s so Bright…

As the old saying goes “It’s always darkest before the dawn”.  So is the case with University Housing; we are about to enter into a very exciting time. The University has granted us a large loan to improve our existing facilities. The final details are being worked out, but will be focused on the results of a broad student survey that was conducted during the fall semester. The hope is that these improvements will aid in Housing occupancy, as well as the University’s recruitment and retention of future students.