Although it comes with challenges, the problem of too many students and not enough beds is preferable to the alternative of too many beds and not enough students. This resource center provides a thorough and detailed examination of the issues related to not enough space, by providing proactive ideas for understanding and managing this complex issue.

Check out the information below for additional information on the 5 individual learning segments that are covered in this resource center:

About Admissions and Projecting Occupancy

As part of managing overcrowding on your campus, you need to understand and communicate effectively with your admissions staff. You also need to be knowledgeable as to the information that admissions staff use in setting and meeting enrollment targets for your campus. This learning segment has been designed to assist you in becoming familiar with the work of enrollment management and admissions, while orienting you to the importance of cultivating a relationship with these areas. Enrollment trends in higher education and how they will impact housing/residence life will be reviewed, and you will become familiar with important data (reports and documents) that exist on your campus, and how you can use this data to project occupancy.

Appropriate Communications and Key Constituencies

As a profession we encourage students and urge families to use the "3 C's"(collaboration, cooperation and communication) when dealing with the roommate situation. The last "C" is the most essential to any relationship and is particularly critical to the institutional response to over occupancy.

Over occupancy of the residence halls is manageable and all staff can be involved in stepping up to the challenge. To be successful, however, there must be a plan that includes extensive communication. For the purpose of this learning segment COMMUNICATION will be reviewed for 4 constituent groups - students, families/parents, residence life/housing staff, other institutional staff and other impacted parties (i.e. off campus staff, vendors, etc.).

Short and Long Term On-Campus Solutions

Solutions for overcrowding on campus exist. This learning segment will examine the conditions that precipitate overcrowding, as well as the short-term and long-term solutions to accommodate it. A variety of facility modifications and staffing changes are required to effectively implement overcrowded on-campus housing. Likewise, there are a number of strategies to mitigate negative impacts.

A number of institutions regularly implement overcrowded housing for their students, and most seem to manage these programs successfully. This section will focus on common elements of success.

Alternative Off-Campus Housing Solutions

It is possible to house students successfully in off-campus locations. This learning segment will provide you with information on: referring students to area landlords and apartment complexes; leasing space from area colleges/universities; and leasing space from area hotels and apartment complexes. In addition, you will be provided with information and ideas to help you maximize your success if you choose alternative housing as a solution to your overcrowding problem on campus.

The Psychological Impact of Overcrowding

This learning segment provides an honest analysis of the issue of the loss of trust that occurs when students and parents feel that the university has not fulfilled its promises regarding housing accommodations, regardless of the spin that the university or housing puts on overcrowded or alternative housing accommodations. The specific concerns of parents and students are reviewed, and potential strategies for responding to concerns are provided. The learning segment provides information on how to ease problems, through communication strategies with other departments, effective principles, and advance preparation of housing and university staff.