Campus Design: A Student's Perspective

“The future of higher education isn’t just about what we teach—it’s about where we teach it.” – Walter “Ted” Carter, Jr., Ohio State University president

Numerous studies show that the campus appearance and the overall facilities influence a student’s decision on attending a certain higher education institution. A survey conducted in 2022 by College Pulse showed 63% of students (chart below) reporting that campus facilities factored into their college choice; it’s clear that the built environment matters. At the same time, higher education institutions are vying for fewer students and competition is fierce. But, what makes a campus good?

Wanting to learn more about what today’s students think about higher education campuses and their preferences, I decided to ask those who regularly live, learn and engage with campus environments. I sat down with our summer interns and new hires who are recent graduates to hear directly from them. These individuals attend or have attended various two- and four-year institutions and were happy to share their thoughts and experiences.

During our conversations, they shared what spaces they preferred, what fell short of expectations and what features they wished their campuses had. Their responses reveal what today’s students think about higher education learning environments.

The Great Outdoors

One of the questions asked in the College Pulse survey was, “Which of the following statements are true of the outdoor spaces on your campus?” A majority of respondents to this survey answered that their campus has many nice places to sit outside and/or has many nice places to study outside.

One of the questions I posed concerned the interns and recent graduates’ favorite spots on campus. Their responses mirrored the answers in the College Pulse survey. Green spaces received numerous mentions. Quads, wooded areas, arboretums, and green areas were seen as campus positives. Some even had picnic tables, grills, hammocks and Adirondack chairs, providing the perfect place for quiet relaxation or socializing. Not only do these areas provide a break from the grind of classes and studio work but green spaces have been shown to boost mental health. One example of an optimal outdoor space was a grassy area that serves as an informal meeting point where students can work, play sports, socialize, or simply be present in the community.

Community

Another campus feature that came up repeatedly as a favorite were spaces that foster social interaction and collaboration. This included the outdoor spaces mentioned above along with dining halls and studio space. The design studios that these students spend so much time in earned multiple comments. They found that these spaces create “workplace-like environments” and form a community with peers and “like-minded people.”

Dining halls were another favorite place to be. These spaces were seen as a spot to meet up with friends and also act as an informal work space. Learning commons and libraries earned praise by providing individual nooks and calm study spaces as well as group areas for work and study.

The Spaces That Miss the Mark

When posed with the opposite question, what were the least favorite spots on campus, the answers were just as interesting. Ineffective, or even absent, HVAC systems came up in our conversation more than once. In addition to the heating and cooling issues, they pointed out that some buildings had existing windows that didn’t close properly or were designed with a shading system that didn’t function correctly. Many spaces had bad acoustics that made it less than favorable for learning or working. One recent grad referenced the square near the center of campus that turned into a wind tunnel during cold months and was extremely hot in summer making a nice campus space little used.

Campus buildings also had another criticism: inadequate space. While this is understandable, especially in historic buildings, older architecture and room sizing often results in a lack of space for desks, storage, or equipment. In one instance, the lack of space resulted in studios being in other buildings or even across campus, causing a feeling of disconnection.

Interviewees also noticed when campus circulation or campus landscape doesn’t work well. Steep hills with “lots of stairs,” buildings that require 15-20 minute walks, and forced routing due to construction create frustration. These elements also make some campus areas inaccessible. Tying into that was a wish to maintain or create campus walkability while also being mindful of students living off-campus and the campus transportation needs they may have.

Safety concerns was another area that participants said made parts of campus less than ideal. Broken down spaces, graffiti, along with areas that tend to hold water and flood resulted in spaces that felt insecure and were avoided.

The Wish List

For the final question, the students and new employees had the opportunity to share what they would like to see on their respective campuses. There were no limits on what they could add to the list: indoor and outdoor spaces, furnishings, etc.

• Technology: In today’s digital world being connected, and staying connected, is critical. Our interviewees want more outlets and charging stations available in classrooms, studio spaces, gathering areas… and outdoors. Another wish list item was additional equipment for specialized programs like architecture or digital media. Getting time to learn and use equipment is difficult when many students have only one or two tools to use.
• Biophilic Design: Incorporating biophilia into design is more than adding a few plants. Today’s students want spaces that blur the line between indoors and outdoors. They like large windows that allow natural light into buildings and enable those inside to see out. Outdoors, they want to have more seating areas with tables to have lunch. They would also like to see outlets and charging spaces so that they can work while enjoying the outdoors.
• Interior Updates: Our interviewees value welcoming and inspiring spaces with personality. They want spaces with artwork and color; spaces that don’t feel like an institution filled with beige, or greige but encourage hanging out. Comfortable seating and areas that support individual study and work such as nooks and quiet areas, as well as rooms that are equipped for small group collaboration and larger community spaces that can host events.
• Additional Facilities: With classes occurring throughout the day and class projects being worked on at all hours, dining options should meet those needs, too. A majority of our respondents would like dining venues to have additional hours, including weekends and late nights. Suggestions also included coffee shops, grab-and-go markets, and convenience options woven into campuses. More studio space along with different levels of workspaces were mentioned as well as dorm upgrades and parking improvements. And, for times when they aren’t studying, they would have additional and nicer gyms available. Recommendations ranged from upgrading present facilities, to adding athlete-only gyms.

Campus Design Going Forward

The preferences of our interviewee’s suggest a shift in how we should be approaching campus architecture. They want spaces that support learning and work while also fostering community and belonging. When buildings or certain spaces have to close, it’s disappointing to students and the greater community.

Insights from current students and recent graduates can provide architects and designers with a direction for approaching renovations and/or new construction. Their thoughts and suggestions can help build a priority list of programming for spaces and furnishings. When complete, the campus updates are something that students can take pride in while higher education institutions can use specific amenity updates to define themselves and stand out to prospective students.