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Student Perceptions of Residence Hall Environments: Living-Learning vs. Conventional Units

Author(s):
Centra, John A.
Publication Year:
1967
Report Number:
RM-67-13
Source:
ETS Research Memorandum
Document Type:
Report
Page Count:
16
Subject/Key Words:
College Environment, College Students, Dormitories, Student Attitudes

Abstract

Living-learning residence halls are a relatively new phenomenon on the American campus. At coeducational institutions these units usually consist of three parts: a wing for male students, a wing for female students, and a central area containing dining and recreation facilities, classrooms, science laboratories, faculty and administrative offices, an auditorium and, possibly, a library. To what extent do these elements contribute to a more intellectual and cohesive atmosphere? More exactly, to what extent do living-learning residence halls differ from conventional halls in selected dimensions of their environment? In the interest of shedding light on this question this study describes student perceptions of their residence halls at one university. These perceptions, inferred from student verbal reports, are of course subjective measures of the environment; however, it can be argued that this subjective interpretation is what influences student behavior. As a second phase of the study, student perceptions of the total university environment were obtained. These provided a basis for comparing views of the total university with views of residence halls.

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