University Housing Research Articles

Exploring influences shaping university students’ attitudes toward green buildings

Purpose This study aims to investigate university students’ awareness of green residences and the factors influencing their willingness to pay for living in such accommodations. Design/methodology/approach This mixed-methods research involved 493 participants from Louisiana State University, USA. Data were collected through a survey questionnaire distributed via departmental and collegiate administrators. Both descriptive and inferential statistical tools were used to analyze the data. Findings Moderate familiarity with green building concepts, alongside a high degree of interest in residing in a green building prevailed among participants. A substantial majority of the students, 79.8%, excluding homeowners (n = 63), would consider investing at least double their current rent. Influencing factors encompassed peer influence, alignment with personal values, proximity to campus, energy efficiency, cost savings, sustainable materials, a reduced environmental impact and comfort. Despite initial concerns about high costs, optimism was expressed concerning the normalization of green buildings in university housing in the future. Practical implications The findings are beneficial to housing administrators and real estate developers when applied to other university communities, guiding them in marketing strategies for sustainability initiatives. Originality/value The survey instrument served as a primer on green building literacy while also eliciting nuanced responses from participants. Questions regarding financial considerations offer unique insights for decision-makers, and the study design lays the foundation for future comprehensive investigations in this relatively underexplored area.

Thriving beyond the stethoscope: Unveiling positive mental health among medical students at a University in South Africa

IntroductionMedical education presents significant challenges for medical students' mental health. Medical students are a vulnerable group, experiencing higher rates of mental health disorders, which can have implications for their well-being and academic performance. Consequently, evaluating Positive mental health (PMH) has become significant in a contemporary and demanding society, particularly among university students. AimThis study aimed to assess the levels of PMH and identify the association between PMH domains and socio-demographic and health related variables among medical students enrolled at a university in South Africa. MethodsThis quantitative, descriptive, and cross-sectional survey was conducted with 144 undergraduate medical students. Data were collected using a multi-dimensional PMH instrument and a sociodemographic and health related questionnaire, from 144 undergraduate medical students. The university's Research and Ethics Committee granted ethical clearance for the study. Results: The data were analysed using IBM SPSS version 29. The majority of the students were older than 20 years (79.2 %, n = 114), had no prior history of psychiatric illness, and had not previously taken any psychiatric medication (94.4 %, n = 136). More than half of the participants were single (66 %, n = 95), identified as Christians (76.4 %, n = 110), received a bursary (78.5 %, n = 113), had families living in rural areas (71.5 %, n = 103) and resided in the university housing (73.6 %, n = 106). Gender (p = 0.01), age (p = 0.02), religious affiliation (p = 0.03), history of psychiatric illness (p = 0.05) and treatment for psychiatric illness (p = 0.05) had a significant influence on the Total PMH score. Male participants reported higher mean scores in most PMH domains, excluding emotional support and spirituality domains. Participants aged between 22 and 23 years reported lower mean scores in Total PMH and most PMH domains. There is a significant difference in mean scores with gender (p = 0.02) and religious affiliation (p = 0.00) in the spirituality domain. ConclusionThe study results emphasised the complex nature of mental health and provided a rationale for assessing the various aspects of PMH in university students. By implementing evidence-based strategies and providing adequate support, medical schools can better support the mental health and well-being of their students, ultimately cultivating a healthier and more resilient future healthcare workforce.

A comparison and an application of reliability, reliability system, hybrid reliability system functions for Rayleigh, Pareto, and Rayleigh Pareto distributions

This study dealt with the analysis of the reliability function for hybrid systems with asymmetric components, where the operating times of these components follow Rayleigh, Pareto, and Rayleigh Pareto distributions, furthermore, we introduced a method of operation based on hybrid systems in order to increase the reliability of the machines operating times. Different simulation experiments were done to estimate the reliability function of these systems using the ML method, then a comparison was made between those estimators, the simulation results proved that the Rayleigh-Pareto distribution gives the best estimate for the reliability functions, also the estimated values for the reliability function for the hybrid parallel-series system greater than the estimated values of the reliability function for the hybrid series-parallel system, finally, the estimated reliability function values of the proposed system are better than the estimated values of the two other systems. In the application part, it was chosen the operating times for the machines of the University House for printing, publishing ,and translation in Baghdad, where the factory management depends on the system hybrid serial-parallel system to operate the factory machines, this system leads to a decrease in the reliability of the operating times of the factory machines to 50% at the first operating hour, but if the blistering hybrid system is followed, i.e. the similar machines are run in parallel, and the different machines are run in series, then the probability that the machinery system will continue to operate for four hours will be 50%.

Briefings

Campus safety officer wounds student in shooting Shootings near Georgia university housing raise alarm Missing college student found dead Liberty University receives record Clery Act violation fine

Campus Voting During the COVID-19 Pandemic

How did the pandemic impact turnout of young voters living in university communities? Leveraging the mandatory vacating of Florida college students living on campuses and drawing on administrative data from Florida’s voter file, we argue that on-campus registered young voters who had to leave their university housing in the days prior to Florida’s 2020 Presidential Preference Primary (PPP) were less likely to turn out compared to adjacent off-campus young voters because they lost the opportunity to cast early in-person and Election Day ballots. Using a difference-in-differences (DiD) design, we find that on-campus students, in part because they had early and Election Day voting available to them on campus in the 2020 general election, were more likely than comparable off-campus student-aged registered voters to cast ballots in the November election. Our study has important implications for academic debates concerning the turnout effects of convenience voting reforms and the ability of voters to cast ballots prior to Election Day.

Nature of student housing in Ghana: drivers of physical health condition effects on students living with disability (SWD) in Purpose-Built university housing

PurposeProviding student housing designed to support students living with a disability is a global challenge. This study assesses buildings' physical health condition systems and drivers of physical health condition effects on students living with disability (SWD) in purpose-built university housing in Ghana.Design/methodology/approachThe study used quantitative design and methods based on the theory of supportive design premises. Using the partial least square structural equation model, a survey of 301 students living with a physical disability, mild visual disability and mild hearing disability was collected in 225 student housings.FindingsThe study found that insect control and cleaning services are a priority in off-campus building design and management and directly positively affected the sense of control and physical health of SWD. The nature of lightning systems, noise and thermal comfort directly negatively affected SWD disability learning and discomfort.Practical implicationsReviewing and enforcing student housing design drawings at the preliminary development stage by university management is critical. More broadly, physical health systems that control cleaning, noise and thermal comfort are essential for SWD health in student housing.Originality/valueStudies on all-inclusive building designs have consistently focused on lecture theaters and libraries with limited attention on the physical health condition systems in student housing that support the quality healthcare of university campuses. Research on physical health condition systems in student housing is significant for all-inclusiveness and student housing management.

Belongingness, connectedness & engagement: The impacts of an LGBTQ + residential learning community

University housing can play a significant role in undergraduate students’ college experiences. Unfortunately, many LGBTQ + students face a myriad of harmful experiences on campus, including in campus housing that can negatively impact their belonging and well-being. To address this issue and foster LGBTQ + students’ overall belongingness on campus and well-being, many universities offer LGBTQ + inclusive housing initiatives, including some offering residential learning communities (RLCs). There is a dearth of research on LGBTQ + RLCs’ effectiveness. Through qualitative interviews (n = 9), we examine the inaugural year of an LGBTQ + RLC at large state university in the southern United States. Based on existing literature on the importance of collegiate housing, including research on RLCs highlighting their benefits for students’ belongingness, connectedness, and engagement, we used a directed qualitative content analysis approach to explore the impacts of the LGBTQ + RLC. Consistent with the existing literature about RLCs in general, our findings suggest that the first year of the RLC fostered students’ belongingness, connectedness, and engagement across multiple levels. The RLC did this by offering students opportunities to explore their LGBTQ + identities and build community via programming with one another, which allowed students to feel safe and be their authentic selves.

Relationship between indoor environmental quality and residential mobility: implications for student housing design and management in Northern Ghana

PurposeThis study aims to establish the relationship between indoor environmental quality and residential mobility in student housing in Ghana.Design/methodology/approachUsing multiple regression and exploratory factor analysis through post occupancy evaluation, 26 indoor environmental quality (IEQ) indicators were explored among 1,912 students living in Purpose-Built off-campus university housing in Northern Ghana.FindingsThe study established a negative relationship between indoor environmental quality and residential mobility among student housing in Northern Ghana. Residential mobility is primarily attributed to the dissatisfaction with thermal and indoor air quality.Practical implicationsThe negative relationship affects vacancy and rental cashflows for property investors. Also, understanding local environmental conditions can influence future student housing design and enhance thermal and indoor air quality.Originality/valueThe authors contribute to studies on indoor environmental quality in student housing. In addition, establishing the relationship between indoor environmental quality and residential mobility in tropical African regions is novel.

Detection of SARS-CoV-2 RNA in wastewater from dormitory buildings in a university campus: comparison with individual testing results.

Wastewater-based epidemiology (WBE) for monitoring COVID-19 has been largely used to detect the spread of the disease at the community level. From February to December 2022, we collected 24-h composite sewage samples from dormitory buildings in George Mason University (Fairfax, Virginia, USA) housing approximately 5,200 resident students. SARS-CoV-2 RNA extraction was achieved using an automated system based on magnetic nanoparticles. Analysis of SARS-CoV-2 RNA was performed using reverse transcription quantitative PCR based on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) N1 and N2 assays. From the 362 samples collected, 86% showed positive detection of SARS-CoV-2 RNA. Wastewater monitoring was able to detect SARS-CoV-2 RNA in 96% of the samples from buildings housing students with COVID-19. Over the period of study, we observed significant correlations between the SARS-CoV-2 concentration (copy number mL-1) in wastewater and the number of positive cases on campus based on individual saliva testing. Although several reports have been published on the wastewater monitoring of COVID-19 in university campuses, our study is one of the very few that provides results that were obtained during the last phase of the pandemic (roughly the year 2022), when the large majority of students were vaccinated and back on campus.

A Multi-Criteria Analysis of University Housing Options using Weighted Sum Model

This study presents a novel application of the Multi-Criteria Decision-Making (MCDM) Weighted Sum Model (WSM) technique to assist students in selecting suitable university housing options. We identified five key criteria—location, affordability, amenities, room type, and social environment—based on a survey of prospective students' preferences. Using the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP), we calculated the weights for each criterion, reflecting the priorities of the surveyed students. We then applied the MCDM-WSM methodology to rank the housing options by calculating the weighted scores for each criterion. Our findings reveal a ranked list of university housing options that can guide students in making well-informed decisions based on their needs and preferences. The study demonstrates the significance of using advanced decision-making techniques in transforming complex decision-making processes into more structured, transparent, and reliable approaches. Furthermore, it highlights potential research gaps and future research directions to enhance the quality of choices and cater to the diverse needs of students in selecting university housing.

DOSE-DEPENDENT ANTI-DEPRESSANT EFFECT OF CITRUS PARADISI IN REHABILITATION OF PSYCHOLOGICAL DISORDERS

With advancement in the modern world, psychological issues, including anxiety and depression has become the leading cause of mental illness. Herbal products have been explored to observe their effects in helping such conditions and citrus fruits are found to be among these helping tools. To study this, current research was designed to explore the antidepressant effects of Citrus paradisi in various doses on rodents. Swiss Albino mice were used and fresh extract of Citrus paradisi was prepared. Imipramine was used as the standard drug. Ethical approval was taken from the Board of Advanced Studies, University of Karachi. The animals were divided into controlled, standard and test groups. All the animals were recruited from the animal house of University of Karachi. Forced Swimming Test was used to analyses the efficacy. It is a standard test, which is commonly used to evaluate the behavioral response in animals using a cylinder at room temperature. After the completion of dosing and monitoring the animals for 30 days, it was observed that marked improvement in the test animal’s behavior with significant p-values indicating that the extract has improved the animal’s psychological response towards the external stress and animals showed noteworthy improvement in the mobile phase as compared to the immobile phase. It can be concluded from the experimental results that protocol established in this study can be used as an alternative for patients suffering with depression as an herbal option, keeping in mind the other co morbidities of patient and drug interactions of Citrus paradisi.

Revisiting Organizational Socialization: Testing A Model & Gaining A Competitive Advantage with People

The purpose of this publication was to test an organizational socialization model devised by Dr. Denise Gates, which was published in 2009 by the Publishing House of South China University of Technology, to determine if the model was still relevant. This work encompassed an examination of the lived experiences of professionals as those encounters related to organizational socialization. The author presented the salient themes which emerged from interview, questionnaire, and focus group data collected from 135 professionals residing in the United States. This research supported an existing framework on organizational socialization and revealed the prominence of workplace betrayals. Implications for human resources were discussed.

PHILOSOPHY OF SPIRITUAL DEVELOPMENT OF HUMAN AS A PERSONALITY (Review of the Philosophy of Critical Thinking and Decision Making textbook by Professor Volodymyr Oleksiiovych Sabadukha, Doctor of Philosophy. Ivano-Frankivsk: Publishing House of Ivano-Frankivsk National Technical University of Oil and Gas, 2023. 484 p.)

PHILOSOPHY OF SPIRITUAL DEVELOPMENT OF HUMAN AS A PERSONALITY (Review of the Philosophy of Critical Thinking and Decision Making textbook by Professor Volodymyr Oleksiiovych Sabadukha, Doctor of Philosophy. Ivano-Frankivsk: Publishing House of Ivano-Frankivsk National Technical University of Oil and Gas, 2023. 484 p.)

OCR identifies concerns with college's housing rates

Case name: Letter re: Wake Forest University, No. 11‐17‐2111 (OCR 11/18/21).

A Platform for Sustainable Scale: The Challenge Initiative's Innovative Approach to Scaling Proven Interventions.

The global health community continues to face barriers in scaling up evidence-based interventions for widespread adoption. Although many effective interventions have been developed over the years, expanding their reach to benefit broader populations has happened slowly or not at all. The Challenge Initiative (TCI) is a nontraditional development platform that supports local urban governments to rapidly scale up proven family planning (FP) and adolescent and youth sexual and reproductive health (AYSRH) interventions for the urban poor. TCI prioritizes sustainability and local ownership and uses a health systems approach when planning for and managing scale. TCI strengthens urban health systems with seed funding, coaching, and technical assistance (TA), and TCI University houses "how-to" guidance and tools for implementing the interventions. In turn, local governments commit political will and financial and human resources while using TCI coaching to integrate interventions into routine practice and systems to achieve widespread and sustained impact at scale. As of June 2021, TCI has supported 104 local governments across 11 countries in scaling up effective FP and AYSRH interventions, while also mobilizing about US$28 million from those local governments to facilitate their implementation. TCI has increased capacity and bolstered urban health systems, with 39 local governments "graduating" from TCI support and 2.02 million additional FP clients across 4 regional TA hubs. TCI aims to change how local governments coordinate, finance, and implement proven interventions to improve access to quality FP information and services. With built-in incentives for local governments, partners, and donors to participate, TCI is generating significant learning on how local governments can realize sustainable scale and demonstrating how organizations like TCI that facilitate governments to scale up effective interventions can accelerate the scale-up of these interventions across multiple geographies.

Data-driven urban regeneration: university housing in the ex-Corradini factory in Naples

This paper develops a decision-making methodology for urban regeneration projects based on the use of data-driven procedures and technologies for the conversion of former industrial areas to residential use. The proposed approach is aimed at the elaboration of an information management protocol for the generation of design scenarios, starting from the assessment of the regulatory and technical compatibility of the possible transformations with the existing constraints. This paper describes the application of the methodology to several buildings in the ex-Corradini complex in Naples to be used for different types of residential functions, in a framework of high uncertainty and complexity, also due to the inaccessibility and abandonment of the site.

Review of the book of Svetoslav P. Velchev “Public prosecutor’s supervision: Origin, development, functions”

The book review examines shortly the history of the public prosecutor’s supervision. The book is issued in а new format in 2021 by the Publishing House of the New Bulgarian University. The first edition of the book was in 1928 and its author was one of the most famous Bulgarian lawyers in the period before 1944 – Svetoslav Petrov Velchev (1870–1943). He held the position of Prosecutor General in the Supreme Court of Cassation (1920–1932) and was the first chairman of Supreme Administrative Court (1932–1938). Prof. Veselin Vuchkov is author of the biographical essay at the beginning of this new edition.

Nowhere to go: Housing pathways of college students with foster care and homelessness experience

AbstractThis study builds on previous research to understand longer term housing experiences in late adolescence and early adulthood for vulnerable college students. Using a biographical, qualitative method, we study high school and college housing and family circumstances for 27 students with homelessness or foster care experience enrolled in 4‐year colleges in Georgia. We identified three different housing pathway types in high school—family homelessness, unaccompanied youth and foster care. Housing instability and frequent moves were common in high school among all housing pathway types. In college, students who were able to find low or no‐cost housing and those who identified a foster care pathway in high school achieved greater housing stability. Others students experienced a continuation of housing instability that began in high school. Additional funding to cover the cost of on‐campus housing would likely contribute to increased stability. Additional strategies, such as rental assistance programmes tailored for college students, may be needed to address housing instability for vulnerable college students. More research on the unmet housing needs and the consequences of housing instability during college for homeless and foster youth is needed to further a housing policy agenda that focuses on practical solutions.

Omega-3 and Vitamin E Supplementation Effect on Reactive Oxygen Species and Placental Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor: Pre-eclampsia Model

BACKGROUND: Pre-eclampsia (PE) has been associated with oxidative stress and inflammation. Omega-3 fatty acids and vitamin E have beneficial function to maintain cell membrane, prevent oxidative stress, and inhibit the production of proinflammatory cytokines. The purpose of the study was to determine the effect of omega-3 and vitamin E supplement to Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS) and placental Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (VEGF) on PE rats model. AIM: This study aimed to investigate the effect of omega-3 and vitamin E supplementation on ROS and placental VEGF. METHODS: This research has been carried out at animal house and Biomedical Laboratory of the Medical Faculty Andalas University. The design of this research was experimental study with post-test only control group design. Thirty pregnant rats were divided into five groups. Group K-without treatment, group K+ was given L-NAME, group P1 was given L-NAME + omega-3, group P2 was given L-NAME + vitamin E, and group P3 was given L-NAME + omega-3 + vitamin E. The L-NAME dose was 50 mg/kg/day. At the 19th day of gestation, the pregnancy was terminated and the blood serum was used for examination of ROS and placental tissue was collected for examination of VEGF using ELISA kit. The data were analyzed by one-way ANOVA and post hoc test Bonferoni. RESULTS: The analysis results found that there were significant differences between omega-3 and vitamin E supplements on ROS levels and placental VEGF levels. Administration of omega-3 only or combination with vitamin E can effectively improve endothelial function by increasing the level of VEGF. CONCLUSION: Omega-3 (DHA 120 mg, EPA 180 mg) and vitamin E (α-tocopherol 300 iu) supplement decreased ROS and increased placental VEGF on pre-eclampsia rats model.

OCR identifies concerns with college's housing rates

Case name: Letter re: Wake Forest University, No. 11‐17‐2111 (OCR 11/18/21).