The University of Puget Sound (UPS) retained Scion Advisory Services to conduct a Strategic Housing Plan to develop a housing strategy for the next 10 years, based on recommendations from a 2024 Campus Master Plan completed by NAC Architecture. Scion’s engagement began with a facilitated interactive workshop with University leadership to establish objectives for the plan. UPS identified the following objectives: 1) student housing must support student success, 2) the financial impact on UPS must be minimal, and 3) improved housing will improve retention and increase on-campus occupancy.
In order to understand the unique challenges UPS faced, Scion conducted a comprehensive analysis to understand students’ on-campus housing experiences and their ideas for the future of housing. Utilizing qualitative and quantitative data collection, Scion identified unit types and amenities desired by first- and second-year students as well as upper-division students. The analysis also showed that first-year students are willing to share a bedroom with another student for a reduced housing rate, and upper-division students prefer a single bedroom in a multi-bedroom suite. After comparing the current housing stock with student preferences, Scion’s recommendation will help UPS “right size” the housing system and incorporate more active and attractive community spaces in the halls.
Scion is currently developing a short- and long-term plan for UPS. The plan will consider student preferences as well as the University’s desire to offer unit types that are appropriate for each year of study, i.e., traditional double-occupancy bedrooms for first-year students, single bedrooms and suites for sophomores and juniors, and suites and houses for seniors and graduate students. The plan will also make accommodations for anticipated enrollment growth.