You can look at change in one of two ways: either the thought of adapting and trying new things feels daunting and super scary, or it excites you. Either way, the only constant in life is change and that’s exactly what our students do year after year. They evolve, and so do their expectations of what colleges and universities should provide, especially when it comes to their on-campus residential experience.
This blog series features different writers responding to the prompt, “How is the rising generation of college students changing residence life practice?”
Today’s students and those coming after them expect housing that is as cutting-edge and tech-enabled as they are. That can be challenging when many of our residence halls were built in the 1960s, 70s, 80s or dare I even say, earlier. Our buildings aren’t always as nimble as we’d like, yet student demand for the latest amenities never slows down.
Looking ahead, future residents will seek flexible living spaces that can serve multiple purposes at once: a conference room, a game room, a movie room, a quiet study space, a programming hub…the list goes on. They also want environments that support mental health, offering opportunities to be “alone together,” engaging when they choose but retreating when their social battery is depleted.
On my campus, we’ve begun conversations about transforming an existing space into a wellness-focused area. Our project, initiated by an alum, envisions a zen oasis of sorts, where students can step away from the pressures of college life and escape the “work hard, play hard” culture. The goal is to create a space where what you see, feel, and touch pulls you out of your current reality and into a place of calm. It’s still a work in progress, but it’s coming.
By the time this is published it will be a month or more since I took my first ever trip to Utah. Things that weren’t on my bingo card for 2025, but here we are. During my visit to the University of Utah, where I was invited to present on supervision (another passion area of mine) for their Residence Life leadership team (shout out to them), I stumbled upon the meditation room in the residence hall we were meeting in. Like any good Res Life and Housing professional embarking on a similar project, I immediately took pictures and shared them with the other person on my staff engaged in making this project come to life.
This photo captures the sign that greets you as you enter the space at the University of Utah. It serves as a clear reminder of the room’s purpose, a place designed to center wellness and reflection and underscores how intentional spaces like this are directly connected to student success.
Not that you asked but the room featured two separate spaces: one larger for group engagement, and one smaller for solitude. It was peaceful, restorative, and to me, a glimpse of the future of campus housing.
Of course, not every institution has the resources to build meditation rooms or wellness pods. But there are programmatic approaches that can make a difference without tearing down a wall or installing a water feature. Otherwise known as major construction costs. Partnering with your Counseling Center or Office of Wellbeing (or the equivalent on your campus) is a great first step. Even dedicating a closed off space where counseling staff can host hours within the residence hall can reduce barriers for students who might otherwise avoid seeking help. Either way, the lines between our residential spaces and wellness need to be intertwined even more tomorrow than they are today for our future students.
Not possible? Ok let’s try another route. How about working with these units or creating and training other students for the purpose of creating peer support groups or networks. Like us, I am sure you all do a good bit of mental health training for your RAs and while we know they are superstars, this is an opportunity to spread the wealth and train others. Share the wealth…the more the merrier…insert whatever you need here to better understand how crucial this could be.
I am sure you are doing some incredible things on your campus as it pertains to mental health and making sure it’s reflected in your residence halls. Share some tips with others. Brag on your institution so others can reach out and further engage with you.
At the end of the day, the day is going to end (or whatever Glorilla said). This is me saying in conclusion, lol. The rising generation of college students will require us to transform residence life/the on campus experience into a more holistic, inclusive, and technologically integrated experience. Our responsibility is to stay poised and ready, to meet their needs, create spaces that nurture their wellbeing, and provide opportunities that help them thrive.
Best of luck in doing this!
