St. Ambrose University (SAU) engaged The Scion Group to perform a Market and Demand Analysis and Financial Analysis to inform the University’s short- and long-term housing planning efforts. The University sought information about the current and future needs for on- and off-campus housing.
Scion used a variety of investigative and information-gathering tools. Specifically, Scion interviewed University stakeholders, toured the residential facilities, conducted student focus group and student intercept interviews, reviewed enrollment data, examined the off-campus rental housing market, reviewed student housing options at peer institutions, launched and analyzed a campus-wide survey, and examined financial operating information. With this information, Scion conducted a demand analysis and a gap analysis to determine which units were most preferred by students and where SAU had surpluses or deficits of each room type. Financial models were then developed to show the feasibility of different planning scenarios.
Based on the analysis and workshops with campus leadership, an implementation plan was developed demonstrating the impact of three different scenarios.