A recent survey conducted by student housing developer, Core Spaces, of nearly 2,500 college students throughout the United States, reveals how Covid-19 has impacted them – including their mental state, sentiment about remote learning, personal and parents' finances and more. Core Spaces emailed the survey to student residents at 19 Core Spaces properties across 12 cities in 11 states. Responses were collected from June 2 to June 9.
“These important survey results speak to a wide range of ways the pandemic has impacted our young people,” explained Marc Lifshin, founder and chief executive officer of Core Spaces. “Their responses provide valuable insight into how college students are hurting and what they want. More than ever, it's crucial we do our best to make sure their housing is a welcoming and safe place.”
KEY FINDINGS:
Living preferences
Nearly 90% of respondents said they want to come back to campus when classes begin this fall.
72.5% of respondents would like to get back to their universities even if the schools continue online instruction in the fall.
Economic impact / confidence
More than three out of five (63.3%) respondents said the pandemic resulted in economic difficulties for themselves and their families in the following ways:
- Their summer job was canceled (57%)
- Their summer job hours or pay were reduced (32%)
- One of their parents lost his or her job (21%)
- One of their parents had hours or pay reduced (55%)
When it came to how students felt about their future job prospects due to the pandemic, nearly 20% were much less confident, and more than 40% were somewhat less confident. And 40% felt their job prospects were the same as before the pandemic.
Remote learning & studying
Nearly 60% of respondents said online classes had been a negative experience for them.
Nearly eight out of 10 said they feel they'd be more successful studying remotely in their apartments vs. their family’s homes.
Confidence with being safe back at school
90% of respondents were either "very confident" (46.6%) or "somewhat confident" (43.4%) that their universities would take appropriate and available measures to help protect them and other students from spreading the virus.
More than 85% of respondents were either "very confident" (41.6%) or "somewhat confident" (43.7%) that their student housing provider (Core Spaces) would take appropriate and available measures to help protect them and other student residents from spreading the virus.
Psychological impact
Since Covid-19’s onset, students said they had experienced the following:
- Sleep pattern has changed (76%)
- Feel more anxious or stressed (75%)
- Feel more depressed or worried (55.5%)
- Seen a professional for physical or mental health (12%)
Desire for vaccine
When asked how likely they are to want a vaccine if/when it is made available, 63% said very likely, 25.6% said somewhat likely, and 11.3% said not likely.
In total, there were 2,490 respondents from 19 Core Spaces properties in 12 cities and 11 states. The universities/cities, in order of the highest number of respondents, include University of South Carolina, Columbia (324); Penn State, University City, Penn. (304); *University of Florida, Gainesville (273); Michigan State University, East Lansing (231); University of Central Florida, Orlando (225); Purdue University, West Lafayette, Ind. (205); University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa (199 – three Core properties); *University of Arizona, Tucson (192); West Virginia University, Morgantown (144); University of Oklahoma, Norman (143); *University of Kentucky, Lexington (133); University of Mississippi, Oxford (116).
[*Represents two Core properties in the same city/campus.]
“There are so many unknowns around Covid-19," added Lifshin. “We, along with other student housing providers, need to do all we can to reduce the stress that students are feeling and increase their sense of comfort. We plan on offering a mindfulness and meditation program to our 15,000 residents starting late August – this same program had a positive impact on our own staff. We're also rolling out a wide variety of measures to consistently sanitize our buildings and continue to protect our residents.”
Related Stories
Market Data | May 22, 2018
Vacancies stable, rents rising, and pipeline receding, according to Transwestern’s 1Q US Office Market report
The Big Apple still leads the new construction charge.
Market Data | May 18, 2018
Construction employment rises in 38 states and D.C. from April 2017 to April 2018
California & West Virginia have biggest annual job gains, North Dakota has largest decline; California & Louisiana have largest monthly pickup, Indiana & North Dakota lead monthly drops.
High-rise Construction | May 18, 2018
The 100 tallest buildings ever conventionally demolished
The list comes from a recent CTBUH study.
Resiliency | May 17, 2018
Architects brief lawmakers and policy-makers on disaster recovery as hurricane season approaches
Urge senate passage of disaster recovery reform act; Relationship-building with local communities.
Market Data | May 17, 2018
These 25 cities have the highest urban infill development potential
The results stem from a COMMERCIALCafé study.
Market Data | May 10, 2018
Construction costs surge in April as new tariffs and other trade measures lead to significant increases in materials prices
Association officials warn that the new tariffs and resulting price spikes have the potential to undermine benefits of tax and regulatory reform, urge administration to reconsider.
Market Data | May 7, 2018
Construction employers add 17,000 jobs in April and 257,000 for the year
Unemployment rate for construction increases slightly compared to year earlier as higher pay levels appears to be attracting people with recent construction experience back into the workforce.
Market Data | May 2, 2018
Construction employment increases in 245 metro areas between March 2017 & 2018, as trade fights & infrastructure funding shortfalls loom
Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land, Texas and Weirton-Steubenville, W.Va.-Ohio experience largest year-over-year gains; Baton Rouge, La. and Auburn-Opelika, Ala. have biggest annual declines.
Market Data | May 2, 2018
Nonresidential Construction down in March, private sector falters, public sector unchanged
February’s spending estimate was revised roughly $10 billion higher.
Market Data | Apr 30, 2018
Outlook mixed for renewable energy installations in Middle East and Africa region
Several major MEA countries are actively supporting the growth of renewable energy.