Initiative to Boost Collaboration with College and University Housing Departments
National owner/operator of student housing communities strives to strengthen ties between providers of on-campus and off-campus housing
The Scion Group, the largest privately held owner and operator of student housing communities in the U.S., has launched Scion Campus Connections, a new strategic initiative to improve collaboration between higher education housing departments and Scion’s off-campus housing teams.
“The COVID-19 pandemic has changed the way we think about student housing density, dramatically illustrating the fact that it takes both on-campus and off-campus housing sources to meet the needs of the students that we collectively support,” said Rob Bronstein, president and co-founder of The Scion Group, which serves more than 58,000 residents in 86 high-quality communities at 54 campuses nationwide. “Scion Campus Connections is a unique collaboration initiative that will promote open communication, robust dialogue and mutual respect for both on-campus and off-campus housing professionals.”
The new program is a reflection of Scion’s commitment to align with the overall missions of higher education institutions in the U.S. and the residential life professionals that are central to those missions. The initiative aims to help Scion engage in conversations about how the company can further support academic outcomes, student development and community cohesiveness for all students.
“The pandemic has served as a catalyst for us to formalize this new program, but the reality is that our advisory services team has been working alongside student housing departments for years, to break down the barriers between on-campus and off-campus teams and build a wider community,” said Jay Pearlman, senior vice president of Scion Advisory Services. “We are redoubling those efforts to connect with campus housing leaders at all institutions we serve, to discuss their reopening plans, housing challenges created by the need to reduce density, and the financial implications of the decisions they are being forced to make this year. This is not a zero-sum game; we can work together to provide housing options and create experiences that support all students.”
According to Pearlman, practical examples of action items resulting from the Scion Campus Connections program may include:
- Joint student programming that aligns with the academic calendar
- Open forums to identify new student success initiatives
- Participation in preferred housing programs for students
- Master lease agreements to provide flexibility for fluctuating on-campus housing needs
“On-campus housing departments and off-campus housing providers serve the same community: America’s brightest young minds who are tomorrow’s leaders,” said Bronstein. “By working together more collaboratively, we can better support those students and the overall needs of the schools as well.”
For more information about Scion Campus Connections, please contact advisory@thesciongroup.com or click below to “Ask Scion.”
