Planning

With any new project, input is imperative to the success and acceptance of the proposal. ACC utilized a planning diligence process to compile information from students' opinions and perceptions regarding current accomodations, price points and the decision-making process.* Focus groups, student surveys and design summits were conducted to gain insight into what students are looking for with regards to student housing.

Focus Groups

The initial focus groups were administered in 2009 and have occurred since. ACC engaged first- and second-year students as well as high school students in the Albuquerque/Rio Rancho area. ACC used Turning Point technology to collect response data in real-time; this method allowed the particpants and ACC to discuss the findings with the respondents just minutes after they answered. Results varied from the high school group to the current student population, primarily because of the current living situations of the different groups:

• High School Students-
• The consensus was that private bedrooms would be the preferred unit, not shared bedrooms and anything with a full-size bed would be best. The students were interested in on-site amenities that focused on developing community and creating an academic environment. Generally, these students were less interested in gaming areas than in study/social lounges.*
• UNM Undergraduate Students-
• The overwhelming consensus was that it is important for freshman to live in resident halls and that once this happens, more students will stay on campus because beds will be available in suite and apartment style halls. Students reported believing that units that improved visual privacy and shared restrooms within the unit, not hall-style, would be more attractive to incoming students....Students felt the best design for new amenity packages would include building amenities for laundry, study space, lounge space with soft seating and outdoor green areas.*

Student Surveys

The student survey was administered through the UNM Student Voice program. In total, more than 880 students completed the survey. The results supported the idea of students moving off campus, or not living on campus at all, because on-campus housing does not provide a graduated product cycle.

Design Summits

Open forums were held over approximately a three month period in the SUB Atrium for ideal exposure to the UNM community. Visit the Lobo Development Website to access all of the presentations that were held along with other pdf documents pertaining to the campus housing project.


*For more information, refer to the Strategic Housing Plan, University of New Mexico, December 1, 2010

Strategic Housing Plan

The University of New Mexico, Lobo Development and American Campus Communities (ACC) have been working together for nearly three years now in an effort to modernize and enhance the UNM campus housing. The UNM Strategic Housing Plan is a working document that details the overall objectives, approaches and recommendations of ACC to the University with regards to student housing. ACC has identified four key objectives for the Student Housing Plan that will shape the main campus developments:

• Improve the quality of UNM's student housing communities through:
• Modernizing the product for current and future student needs
• Introducing a multi-tiered unit product cycle
• Incorporate living-learning features that facilitate academic achievement and improve graduation rates.
• Create phasing scenarios that bring new communities online with minimal disruption to UNM's existing housing capacity and revenue
• Increase UNM's on-campus undergraduate residency rates
• Incorporate recreation, dining and parking facilities that serve the residential communities and pragmatically connect to the larger campus.*

The development of new campus housing will provide UNM a modern product to help recruit and retain students. ACC is aligning all of their plans with the objectives outlined by the University; the four considerations that will shape the future communities include: Improving Housing Value, Academic Excellence, Campus Integration, and Student Life. These four objectives are crucial to the success of the housing program and furthermore the residents of such communities.

A good strategic housing plan is a living document that responds to a diverse student body at the various stages of higher education. The plan should be able to change in response to: campus development, enrollment trends and the market.

*For more information, refer to the Strategic Housing Plan, University of New Mexico, December 1, 2010

Vice President Eliseo "Cheo" Torres' letter to the Editor, Daily Lobo (date)

Welcome back Lobos! I hope you had a relaxing break and are ready for a great spring semester.   In an effort to keep students informed about what’s happening at UNM with regard to Student Housing on campus, my office has created a new blog entitled:  “UNM Housing:  Your Source for Up-to-the Minute Info!” which can be found at  http://unmhousingupdates.blogspot.com/.  I believe the blog will be the most comprehensive and successful means of communicating to UNM Students, Faculty, Staff and community about what’s happening in campus housing.   

The blog will serve as a means of communication between UNM administrators and the UNM community. It will provide an opportunity to engage in a meaningful conversation regarding current housing initiatives.  The blog will allow you to: track housing updates, view frequently asked questions, see photos, ask questions in an interactive forum and see project timeline (including where we started and where we plan to be). 

Please visit this blog frequently as I will continually be apprising students of any changes, developments and other pertinent information.

Cheo Torres

Vice President, UNM Student Affairs