flexiblefullpage -
billboard - default
interstitial1 - interstitial
catfish1 - bottom
Currently Reading

SCUP and University of Pennsylvania School of Nursing release study results on lactation policy and facilities in U.S. higher education

University Buildings

SCUP and University of Pennsylvania School of Nursing release study results on lactation policy and facilities in U.S. higher education

There is a wide variability between how campuses accommodate the needs of breastfeeding mothers.


By SCUP | December 17, 2018
University Building
University Building

The Society for College and University Planning (SCUP) and the University of Pennsylvania School of Nursing announced survey results from 114 US colleges and universities that help document the levels, quality, and availability of lactation spaces and supports across campus for breastfeeding faculty, staff, students, and campus visitors.

The survey was a collaboration between the University of Pennsylvania School of Nursing and SCUP. “To our knowledge, this is the first research that documents which stakeholders are involved in the planning of lactation spaces, and the amount of variation in the features these spaces have,” said Dare Henry-Moss, one of the research leads. “We hope it will help colleges and universities evaluate the accommodations they provide to breastfeeding mothers, including faculty, staff, students, and visitors.”

Study observations include:

— 90% of respondents reported that their institution had dedicated lactation spaces, but the study suggests that awareness of their locations should be improved.

— 68% of respondents reported a process or guideline for creating lactation spaces on campus with wide variation in approaches.

— collaborations are common; there are commonly between two and six different campus entities involved in the planning for lactation spaces.

The study also provides detail on the most frequent amenities designed into lactation spaces, including furniture, fixtures, and portable supports.“Through the excellent work of our research cohorts, this study will help higher education move toward a best planning practice for lactation spaces,” said Michael D. Moss, SCUP President.The research team was Dare Henry-Moss, MPH; Joyce Lee, FAIA, LEED Fellow; Diane L. Spatz, Ph.D., RN-BC, FAAN, and Principal Investigator; and SCUP.

For survey results: www.scup.org/wellness

Related Stories

University Buildings | Jan 18, 2024

Houston’s Rice University opens the largest research facility on its core campus

Designed by Skidmore, Owings & Merrill (SOM), the 251,400-sf building provides students and researchers with state-of-the-art laboratories, classrooms, offices, and a cafe, in addition to multiple gathering spaces.

Sponsored | BD+C University Course | Jan 17, 2024

Waterproofing deep foundations for new construction

This continuing education course, by Walter P Moore's Amos Chan, P.E., BECxP, CxA+BE, covers design considerations for below-grade waterproofing for new construction, the types of below-grade systems available, and specific concerns associated with waterproofing deep foundations.

University Buildings | Jan 15, 2024

The death of single-use university buildings

As institutions aim to improve the lives of their students and the spaces they inhabit, flexible university buildings may provide an all-in-one solution.

University Buildings | Dec 8, 2023

Yale University breaks ground on nation's largest Living Building student housing complex

A groundbreaking on Oct. 11 kicked off a project aiming to construct the largest Living Building Challenge-certified residence on a university campus. The Living Village, a 45,000 sf home for Yale University Divinity School graduate students, “will make an ecological statement about the need to build in harmony with the natural world while training students to become ‘apostles of the environment’,” according to Bruner/Cott, which is leading the design team that includes Höweler + Yoon Architecture and Andropogon Associates.

University Buildings | Dec 5, 2023

The University of Cincinnati builds its largest classroom building to serve its largest college

The University of Cincinnati’s recently completed Clifton Court Hall unifies the school’s social science programs into a multidisciplinary research and education facility. The 185,400-sf structure is the university’s largest classroom building, serving its largest college, the College of Arts and Sciences.

Products and Materials | Nov 30, 2023

Top building products for November 2023

BD+C Editors break down 15 of the top building products this month, from horizontal sliding windows to discreet indoor air infusers.

Higher Education | Nov 21, 2023

UPitt at Bradford opens new Engineering & Information Technologies Building

The University of Pittsburgh at Bradford recently opened a new engineering and information technology building that adds urgently needed lab and instructional space to the campus. 

Esports Arenas | Oct 10, 2023

Modular esports arena attracts more than gamers

As the esports market continues to grow to unprecedented numbers, more facilities are being developed by universities and real estate firms each year.

Higher Education | Oct 10, 2023

Tracking the carbon footprint of higher education campuses in the era of online learning

With more effective use of their facilities, streamlining of administration, and thoughtful adoption of high-quality online learning, colleges and universities can raise enrollment by at least 30%, reducing their carbon footprint per student by 11% and lowering their cost per student by 15% with the same level of instruction and better student support.

Giants 400 | Sep 28, 2023

Top 80 University Building Engineering Firms for 2023

AECOM, Jacobs, BR+A, and Salas O'Brien head BD+C's ranking of the nation's largest university sector engineering and engineering/architecture (EA) firms for 2023, as reported in Building Design+Construction's 2023 Giants 400 Report. Note: This ranking includes revenue for all university/college-related buildings except student residence halls, sports/recreation facilities, laboratories, S+T-related buildings, parking facilities, and performing arts centers (revenue for those buildings are reported in their respective Giants 400 ranking).  

boombox1 - default
boombox2 -
native1 -

More In Category



Mass Timber

Bjarke Ingels Group designs a mass timber cube structure for the University of Kansas

Bjarke Ingels Group (BIG) and executive architect BNIM have unveiled their design for a new mass timber cube structure called the Makers’ KUbe for the University of Kansas School of Architecture & Design. A six-story, 50,000-sf building for learning and collaboration, the light-filled KUbe will house studio and teaching space, 3D-printing and robotic labs, and a ground-level cafe, all organized around a central core.


halfpage1 -

Most Popular Content

  1. 2021 Giants 400 Report
  2. Top 150 Architecture Firms for 2019
  3. 13 projects that represent the future of affordable housing
  4. Sagrada Familia completion date pushed back due to coronavirus
  5. Top 160 Architecture Firms 2021