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Student Housing at UDC Past. Present. Future.

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PAST:

History of Student Housing at UDC

The history of student Housing at the University of the District of Columbia began in the early

2000’s for student athletes. Student athletes were housed in apartment complexes in the

District of Columbia, Bethesda, Maryland, and beginning in 2008 upon the arrival of the current

Athletics Director, at the Enclave in in White Oaks, Maryland until 2010

when the program was moved back to DC at one of its current locations,

3003 Van Ness.

During those beginning years the University covered one hundred

percent of housing for student athletes. During the 2-year period at the

Enclave in White Oaks, Maryland, student athletes stayed in the

apartments during the academic year (August – May). However, as the

lease was for 12-months, during the summer (June and July) the apartments remained empty

with no summer revenue coming in.

Move back to DC

In 2010 the university moved its growing Housing program to the Archstone Van Ness

apartments, conveniently located across the street from the flagship campus. The university was

approached by Archstone Properties about the possibility of a relationship for housing UDC

students and explained a model they used with another university where they allowed them to

build walls in their larger one bedroom apartments turning them into two bedrooms. At this

time the university had two main reasons for accepting this proposition: One, it brought District

money back into the District (there was a concern about using District monies to pay for student

housing outside of the District). Secondly, it opened an opportunity for all university students

interested in campus housing to participate in the program, breaking away from athlete only

housing.

In June of 2010, the university signed an agreement with Archstone Properties. This agreement

allowed for the university to rent 22 one bedroom and 4 efficiency apartments at the following

conditions:

The university could build walls (rooms had to have ventilation and a door) turning the

one bedroom apartment into a two bedroom apartment.

The university would be responsible for removing built walls at end of UDC final lease

with property.

The university could house up to 4 students in each apartment as long as the university

adhered to DCRA Housing Code which stipulates the following: The DCRA Housing Code for

space usage: Space: At least 70 square feet is required for each room used for sleeping by one tenant over

1 year old. For rooms used by 2 or more tenants for sleeping, there must be at least 50 square feet for

each tenant. Under the DC Human Rights Act (not the Housing Code), it may be considered unlawful

discrimination if a landlord tries to evict a family with children in order to limit the number of tenants

http://www.udc.edu/


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living in the apartment: For purposes of the Human Rights Act, in general up to 2 persons are allowed in

an efficiency, 3 persons in a one bedroom, 5 persons in a two bedroom, and 7 persons in a three bedroom.

During the 2010 negotiations it was agreed that UDC would pay the following prices for the

units:

1 bedroom apartment -- $2050 per month

Efficiency -- $1775 per month

Apartment Number of Units

Monthly price for all units

12 month lease

price for all units

1 Bedroom 22 $45,100 $541,200 Efficiency 4 $7,100 $85,200 Total 26 $52,200 $626,400

Also included in the lease agreement were 4 staff parking spaces and use of the social room for

quarterly meetings at no cost.

As the program was taking shape, it was decided by all invested parties that cable and wifi would

be included in the student housing package presented to students, as well as a fully furnished

apartment. Furniture was rented from Brook Furniture and cable/internet were procured

through RCN.

Service *Monthly cost for all units

*Annual cost for all units

Brook Furniture Rental

$6,750 $81,000

RCN $1,690 $20,280 Total $8,210 $101,280 *Numbers not 100% accurate. Based on 2012 documents from previous Director of Residence Life

Housing Start Up Monthly Cost **Annual Cost

1 bedroom rent for 22 units $45,100 $541,200 Efficiency rent for 4 units $7,100 $85,200 RCN for 26 units $1,690 $20,280 Brook Furniture rental for 26 units

$6,750 $81,000

Total 60,640 $727,680 **Not included in charts are additional base startup costs, costs of building of walls in apartments,

insurance costs, down payments, turnover costs, misc.**

http://www.udc.edu/


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Projected Revenue from

Rentals

Estimated Numbers

Price per student

Total Projected Revenue

22 Apartments at 4 people per unit

88 Students $4200 per semester (2)

$739,200

Deposits 88 Students $75 per semester (2)

13,200

Total 752,400

Archstone Van Ness 2010-2013

During the years of 2010-2013, due to an increased interest in student housing the university

procured additional units at Archstone Van Ness. The final number of units procured by the

university was 31, this number included: 27, 1-bedroom student apartments, 3 efficiency

apartments, and 1, 2-bedroom apartment for the new Director of Residence Life.

As the years progressed and UDCs presence at Archstone Van Ness became more “permanent”

tensions began to rise between the building association and the UDC residents. Archstone Van

Ness was primarily a residence for families, elderly, and diplomats. Per the June 27, 2011 Order

of Zoning Commission of The District of Columbia; in addition to many conditions, the

university was ordered to not exceed it’s 31 apartments at Archstone Van Ness. The university

could however house students in other apartments within the Van Ness community.

Consulate at Avalon Bay

As the popularity of student housing grew there was a need for additional housing. Because the

Zoning Order prohibited expansion at Archstone Van Ness, the university began looking into

other options. There were several ideas and properties presented to the invested parties,

including purchasing an old monastery and renting at apartments further from campus. After

thought and consideration, it was decided that the Consulate at Avalon Bay, an apartment

complex directly across from 3003 Van Ness would be the best option.

At the Consulate at Avalon Bay the university procured 10

apartments that included, 8, 2-bedroom/2-bath for students

and 2, 1-bedroom/1 bathroom apartments for staff. It was

decided and written in the 2013 Housing Fiscal Impact

Statement that housing 5 students in these apartments

would cover the cost of the apartments and utilities

(Consulate did not have all included utilities as Archstone

Van Ness did).

Lease conditions included the following:

Initial one-year lease term with four consecutive option years.

Ten units – 2 staff one bedroom units and 8 student 2 bedroom units.

Fixed base rental rate for each two-bedroom unit at $2,975 per month.


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After year one, base rent will escalate at 2% per lease year with each option year so

exercised.

Base rental rates exclude all utilities, cable/internet and furniture rental costs

The total base cost for the first year lease is $357,000.

A security deposit advance payment in the amount of $60,100.

Detailed projected numbers can be found on the 2013 FIS for Consulate at Avalon Bay. A brief

description of costs versus revenue is as follows:

*Annual Projected Cost Annual Amount 10 Apartments $330,600 Furniture Rental $36,000 Utilities, Cable/Internet/Fees/Insurance

$41,400

Total $408,000 *Not included in projected costs is the $60,100 security deposit.

**Annual Projected Revenue

Rate Counts Amount

Student Housing $8400 40 $336,000 Housing Deposits

$150 40 $6,000

Summer Programs

$68,000

Total Revenue $410,000 **All numbers, including summer revenue were projected.

Student Housing Challenges and Costs: 2013-2015

Many changes took place during the 2013-2015 academic years. Housing had grown from 88

students in one apartment complex to 148 students in 2. The staff grew from one Director of

Residence Life, one Coordinator of Residence Life, and two Resident Advisors to one Director,

no Coordinator (the Coordinator position was lost during the rightsizing), and 5 Resident

Advisors (per the Zoning Order). In its five years of operation, the department also saw three (3)

Directors of Residence Life.

Since its inception in 2010 at Archstone Van Ness, the Residence Life program and its students

have faced many challenges with the building association. Though efforts were made to ensure

the residential students understood and adhered to all building, residence life, and university

policies, the building association had made it very clear that they did not want UDC students

residing in “their” building.


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In addition to the building association wanting UDC out of Archstone Van Ness and the quality

of life for the students under these conditions, the total cost of the program was showing that the

actual numbers were not matching the projected numbers in the original FIS. The numbers for

2013-2015 broke down as follows:

FY2013

FY2014

FY2015

Actual Actual Actual

Revenues

Apartment Rental - Archstone

798,000

852,600

873,600

Apartment Rental - Consulate

268,800

294,000

319,200

Summer Rental Revenue

80,000

199,183

209,865

Deposit Revenues

19,500

25,800

22,200

Total Revenues

1,166,300

1,371,583

1,424,865

Expenditures & Lease Agreements

Salary & Wages

142,000

137,894

138,700

Staff Benefits

23,044

23,044

23,044

Total Compensation

$165,044

$160,938

$161,744

Utilities

54,800

54,715

55,000

Repairs & Turnover

10,000

50,879

46,580

Furniture Rental/Buy out

126,000

101,008

56,347

Programming

-

3,167

5,000

Total Expenditures

190,800

209,769

162,927

Lease Agreement - Archstone

913,807

914,532

886,176

Lease Agreement - Consulate

340,600

331,421

337,200

Total Lease Expenditure

$1,254,407

$1,245,953

$1,223,376

Total Expenditures

$1,610,251

$1,616,660

$1,548,047

Net Operating Profit/(Loss)

$443,391

$245,077

$123,182

Apartment Bed Occupancy

130

132

142

Apartment Bed Capacity

146

146

148

Percent of Capacity 89% 90% 96%


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Housing 2014 - 2015 Year in Review

Fall 2014

- Started the fall semester with 148 students (100% occupancy)

- Waitlist of 49 students

- Resident Advisors had 50 programs

o 10 Community Meetings

o 10 Academic

o 10 Personal/Education

o 20 Social

- Lost 12 students by December for various reasons including:

o Purged for non-payment

o Suspended

o Graduation

o Lost Scholarships

o Left University

*Students who were suspended were still responsible for their housing payments.

Students who were financially purged were responsible for their costs up until they day

they moved out.

Fall 2014 GPA (Cumulative)

Housing Students (not including grad/law) Non-Residential

2.770 2.752

Housing Students (including law/grad)

2.804 2.752

Spring 2015

- Started the spring semester with 146 students (99% occupancy)

o Waitlisted student list had diminished due to various reasons, mostly because

student decided not to attend UDC or had found housing for the academic year.

- Resident Advisors had 50 programs

o 10 Community Meetings

o 10 Academic

o 10 Personal/Education

o 20 Social

o Director of Residence Life held Housing “Town Hall Meeting”

- Lost 4 students who were all suspended

Spring 2015 GPA (Cumulative)

Housing Students (not including grad/law) Non-Residential Students

2.851 2.759


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Housing Students (including law/grad)

2.950 2.759

GPAs of students residing in student housing have shown a steady increase every semester and

are higher than those UDC students who do not reside in student housing.

There are of course varying factors as to why students who reside in campus housing have

higher GPAs than non-residential students. However, the programs provided by Residence Life

staff, proximity to campus and campus resources, and 24 hour support from Residence Life staff

does play a significant part in student success academically and their overall university

experience.

Cumulative GPAs of Housing Students from fall 2013 – spring 2015

Data provided by Office of Institutional Research, Assessment & Planning

Data does NOT include graduate and law students residing in student housing

Term

CGPA

Housing

(Residential) Non-Residential All Students

Fall 2013 2.706 2.759 2.758

Fall 2014 2.770 2.752 2.752

Spring 2014 2.777 2.773 2.773

Spring 2015 2.851 2.759 2.762


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PRESENT:

FY 2016

Today Residence Life has started its sixth year housing student athletes and non-student

athletes. The Archstone Van Ness apartment complex was purchased by EQUITY and has since

changed its name to “3003 Van Ness. The Consulate at Avalon Bay has also gone through a

name change as well, though are still owned by the same company. They are currently named

AVA Van Ness.

Neighbor relations have gone up and down throughout the past year. Though staff presence and

interactions have increased and students overall behavior have been generally good, the building

association has not ceased in their attempt to get UDC students out of 3003 Van Ness. During

the summer of 2015, Residence Life had to put a halt to their summer intern program due to the

building association’s claims that UDC was violating the 2011 Zoning Order by renting units to

non UDC students. No resolutions have been made by the Zoning Commission; however the

advice from the University General Counsel has been that all plans for future housing (rentals)

in Zone three should not include projected revenue from summer rentals.

Estimate numbers for the 2016 academic year are as follows:

FY2016

FY2016

Estimate Estimate

Revenues

Apartment Rental - Archstone

890,400

890,400

Apartment Rental - Consulate

319,200

319,200

Summer Rental Revenue

W/O

210,000

Deposit Revenues

22,200

22,200

Total Revenues

1,231,800

1,441,800

Expenditures & Lease Agreements

Salary & Wages

138,700

138,700

Staff Benefits

23,044

23,044

Total Compensation

161,744

161,744

Utilities

55,000

55,000

Repairs & Turnover

45,000

45,000

Furniture Replacement

10,000

10,000

Programming

5,000

5,000

Total Expenditures

115,000

115,000

Lease Agreement - Archstone

907,830

907,830


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Lease Agreement - Consulate

343,944

343,944

Total Lease Expenditure

1,251,774

1,251,774

Total Expenditures

1,528,518

1,528,518

Net Operating Profit/(Loss)

$296,718

86,718

Apartment Bed Occupancy

146

146

Apartment Bed Capacity

148

148

Percent of Capacity 99% 99%

Student Satisfaction and Housing Need

During Residence Life Opening, students were surveyed and asked the following questions:

Why did you choose UDC?

Why did you choose to live in student housing?

If UDC did not have student housing would you be able to attend the university?

What is the best part about living in UDC student housing?

The overall consensus from the students surveyed was that they chose UDC because it was a

small school in the district and an HBCU. They chose to live in campus housing because it was

convenient located across from campus and cheaper than finding somewhere in the city to live.

The best part of living in UDC student housing for most surveyed was the proximity to campus

and the programs the Res. Life staff put on. And if there was no student housing at UDC, most

surveyed responded that they probably would not have attended UDC.

**A video of student interviews has been provided with this report**


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FUTURE:

The University of the District of Columbia has started a new chapter with the start of its new

President and his new cabinet. With the re-vamping of Vision 2020, the university is looking at

many areas, including Residence Life, and there are many questions:

Fundamentally, does the university need housing?

Where does Housing fit in Vision 2020?

What does housing look like at UDC?

Will housing continue in its current location?

Will housing move to a new location?

Will the university invest in building housing on campus?

If the university does build, do we continue to house students and rent?

Do we go up on housing fees to meet current housing costs?

How much would that be and what impact will it have on students?

What options do we have that meet the students’ needs for low cost housing but does not

cost the university additional monies?

Does the university cut the Housing program?

What does cutting the Housing program look like for Athletics and their recruiting of

student athletes statewide and internationally?

Where would student athletes be housed if there were no Housing program?

How many first-time in college students would the university lose?

How many returning students would the university lose?

What exactly is the benefit of Student Housing anyway???

Why Student Housing Matters

There are hundreds of Student Affairs and Student Housing articles written over the years that

attest to the importance of “living on” campus. This research has shown that not only do

students who live on campus have higher GPAs and graduation rates; they have an overall more

well rounded, holistic, college experience. Student housing plays a huge role in a students

transition into college life, “the typical full-time residential undergraduate spends approximately

15 hours per week in a classroom. The remaining 153 hours of the week in one form or another

constitute residential life (and undergraduates do not sleep a lot)” (Levine, 1994, p. 94). For our

residential student athletes here at UDC, 15-20 of those leftover 153 hours is spent in practice or

at games; that still however leaves 138-133 hours left in their student apartments, participating

in activities, studying, socializing, and being a part of Residence Life. This is why programming

is extremely important and why the Residence Life staff provides so many programs, activities,

and events.

According to Levine, “the principle teachers of students are students” (1994, p. 101). Students

living in campus housing instinctively obtain an all-encompassing orientation about college and


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the universities expectations of them and about steering through the college experience from

their peers (Levine, 1994). Students living in our student apartment at UDC have a common

goal, to obtain a degree. With peer engagement and 24 hour Residence Life staff available to

assist, encourage, and support, students residing in student housing are more likely to return to

UDC the next academic year, thereby supporting institutional retention. And are more likely to

complete their course work in 4-5 years and graduating. Community College students residing

in student housing are more likely to transition to the flagship or graduate with their associate’s

degree and seek full time employment.

Demographics and trends in Residence Life are changing. Residence Hall Capacity as defined by The National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) is “the maximum number of students that the institution can provide residential facilities for, whether on or off campus” (Residence Hall Capacity, 2004). Data has found that if all postsecondary institutions of higher education in the United States that have living units (on or off campus) filled to capacity, there would be approximately 2.6 million college students (undergraduate and graduate) living in residence halls (Residence Hall Capacity, 2004). Residence Hall Capacity in postsecondary institutions in the United States

Number of Institutions

Total dormitory capacity (sum)

Estimates

Total: 2,129 2,598,006

Control of Institution

Public 755

1,414,965

Private not-for-profit 1,278

1,161,653 Private for-profit 96 20,388

Source: Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS), 2004 (Residence Hall Capacity, 2004) During the past 30 years between 70 to 80 percent of entering first year/freshman students at four-year institutions both male and female, have consistently indicated that they planned to live in college dormitories or other on-campus student housing (Astin, Osequera, Sax, Korn, 2002). At both private universities and private black universities, over 90% of incoming freshman indicated plans to live on campus (Pryor, Hurtado, Saenz, Lindholm, Korn, Mahoney, 2005). The 2014 Cooperative Institutional Research Program: The American Freshman National Norms report for Fall 2014 indicated that 75.8% of incoming college freshman/first year students indicated that they planned to live college residence halls. At HBCUs specifically, for “All HBCU”, 86.9% indicated that they would be staying in residence halls and for public HBCUs 89.1% indicated they would be staying in residence halls.


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Source: Cooperative Institutional Research Program: The American Freshman National Norms Fall 2014 For the fall 2015 there are roughly 200 first-time-in college students enrolled at UDC. Of that 200, 44 are living in student housing, that’s 22% of the incoming class. Though not a large number, almost 25% of the freshman class lives in student housing. If there were no student housing, would the university have retained or even attracted that 25%? Detailed demographics of the fall 2015 Housing roster are as follows: Fall 2015 UDC Housing Students’ Demographics

Student Population

Students: 141

Student Staff: 5

Total: 146

Gender:

Female: 76 (including 3 female staff members)

Male: 70 (including 2 male staff members)

New/Returning Students:

Returning: 71 (including 5 student staff)

New: 75

Residency:

DMV/In-District: 61

2014CIRPFreshmanSurveyWeightedNaationalNorms-AllRespondants

AllBacc

Institutions

Baccalaureate

Institutions 4-yearColleges Universities

BlackCollegesand

Universities4-yearCollUniversity PublicPrivate PublicPrivate AllHBCUPublicPrivate

Wheredoyouplantoliveduringthefallterm?

Withmyfamilyorotherrelatives 18.6 24.3 12.6 34 11.1 13.39.7 7.85.9 11.3

Otherprivatehome,apartment,orroom 2.1 1.9 2.3 2.8 0.8 2.60.9 2.52.6 2.3Collegeresidencehall 75.8 70 82.1 58 86.4 80.687.9 86.989.1 82.8

Fraternityorsororityhouse 0.6 0.2 1.1 0.1 0.4 1.30.0 0.10.1 0.1

Othercampusstudenthousing 2.5 3.2 1.8 4.7 1.1 2.01.4 2.32.0 2.8Other 0.3 0.3 0.2 0.4 0.2 0.20.2 0.50.4 0.6

http://www.udc.edu/


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Out of State: 54

International: 31

Class:

Freshman/*FTIC: 44 (including 10 at community college)

Sophomore: 29 (including 3 at community college)

Junior: 23

Senior: 28

Graduate: 3 (including one student staff member)

Law School: 8 (including 3 student staff members)

Transfer: 11

Top 10 Reasons Students Choose Student Housing 1 Campus Connection: Students feel connected to campus and feel like they “belong” 2 Total College Experience: Living in campus housing is essential to the overall college

experience 3 Builds Community: Students make life long friends 4 Convenience: No fighting traffic, no Metro fares, steps away from class and events 5 Better Grades: The library is close, tutoring is close, and students are more likely to go to

office hours as campus is across the street 6 Money Savings: Living in DC is EXPENSIVE 7 Supportive Staff: Resident Advisors and the Director of Residence Life live on site and are

available 24 hours a day 8 Student Involvement: Students residing in campus housing are some of the most involved

students on campus 9 Smooth Transition: Living on campus, and getting plugged into activities, makes it easier

for students to transition from one grade level to the next 10 Fun: Staying in campus housing, going to programs/events, meeting people is fun

Where Do We Go From Here? The current administration has a very huge decision to make; do they keep housing here at UDC? If so, what does that look like? If not, what impact will that have on the overall university and student success driven programs the administration is in the midst of creating? Those questions and decisions can only be made by that group of individuals, however, to assist in the decision making process, options have been pulled together and laid out for review, thought, consideration, conversation, and hopefully, a catalyst to final decisions on the future of Student Housing and Residence Life here at UDC.


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Recommendation 1: Building on Campus On campus housing offers a multitude of advantages. With a student body that ranges from traditional college age students, to non-traditional and law students, building campus housing from the ground up allows the university to take a close look at the housing needs of its entire student population and build according to those needs. Undergraduates, graduate and law students all currently reside in student housing. But many of those students have indicated that they would prefer single room accommodations, particularly graduate and law students. On campus housing will also cost the university less money in the long run and after 10-15 years, pay for itself and become true revenue generating auxiliary service. Pros:

Student housing that meets the needs of all university “system” students University owned, operated, and maintained

Moves students out of commercially rented apartments

Better neighbor relations Summer conference and intern housing for

additional revenue

Learning communities

Possibility for “Faculty-in-Residence” program: a program combining Academic and Student Affairs in collaboration of the student success model

Marketing tool for greater enrollment and retention

Offers opportunity to strengthen summer orientation, giving students and families a place to stay during those days and a great way to introduce students to campus life

Year round housing to meet the needs of all university students

Create and implement a “Summer Bridge” program for incoming students

Opportunity for stronger “Upward Bound” program

Possibility of making housing mandatory for all incoming first year students thereby securing revenue

Initiating “mandatory” meal plans for first year residential students. This affords the university a better position when soliciting and attracting potential “dining” vendors for the student center and possibly adding a dining hall component in the newly built building

Offering students more connectedness to campus life Challenges:

Building funding: With the building of the first new construction in 40 years and the second LEED Platinum Student Center in the country; are the University and the District ready and financially able to start another construction project? If so, when?

Neighboring Consulates: Where can the university build on campus that will not impede on the security of adjacent embassies?

On-campus housing is a large undertaking that requires a great deal of staff and resources to run smoothly and effectively. Will the university be able to add additional FTE staff to run and maintain building (housing staff, maintenance staff, janitorial, etc.).

http://www.udc.edu/


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Will the university be ready and able to present to the Mayor and City Council a justification for on campus housing and the need to increase the FTE staff number that will be needed to service and maintain this new construction?

If the administration and Board of Trustees decides to build, does the university continue to house students in their current locations or cease current housing until completion of building opening? What does that mean for current residential students? What does that mean for student athletes? What does that mean for non-student athletes who depend on student housing to aid in the continuation of their degree completion?

The Zoning Commission and Neighborhood Associations

Recommendation 2: Move Housing program to The Berkshire: A Gables Residential, Student Friendly property Student Affairs and Facilities and Real Estate have been working closely to identify different housing options that meet the needs of students, are financially feasible, and will bring a better quality of life for students residing in student housing. Berkshire Residential, located at 4201 Massachusetts Ave, is a residential community located across from American University that has over 700 units, 75% of which house college students. In addition to the many college students who rent individually at the Berkshire, American University currently leases 80 apartments with the company, housing 160 of their upper class students. Though further from the flagship, law school, and community college, the Berkshire is student friendly and offers amenities that will appeal to UDC students. Pros:

Student friendly: The Berkshire caters to college students. Over 75% of their total population of 700 units houses college students.

Willing to negotiate an agreeable price for UDC.

On site “Grill”. Students who are not used to cooking on their own or need to grab a quick meal before class can stop by the “in house” grill and order all of their favorites.

Offers UDC students an opportunity to meet and engage with American University students, allowing an opportunity to engage in collegial relationships and shared learning.

Less “crowding”. Only 4 students can be housed in 2 bedroom apartments and 2 students in 1 bedrooms or efficiencies.

Large apartments.

Newly renovated social rooms, lounges, and gym.

Utilities included except for cable/internet

Lounge space for programming.

Requires only 3 staff members (one Director and 2 Resident Advisors). However, does fewer staff produce the type of program that the university envisions? Is it a “Housing Only” program with staff there to deal with issues and the administration of the program or is it a “Residential Program” where staff program, talk with students regularly, and provide a true (or as close as possible) “Residence Life” experience?

http://www.udc.edu/


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American University offers a free shuttle that can be used by anyone which will take UDC students to the Tenleytown Metro Station where students can then take the train or walk the ¾ miles to the main campus and law school.

Allows “summer conference”, summer intern housing: The Berkshire allows American University and all other “business” rentals to utilize the apartments however they choose to. They do not stipulate that use of apartments can only be for full time students

Free front of building parking (limited on a first come basis).

No building associations.

Not in Zone 3. Challenges:

Location: The property, though close to UDC’s main campus, does require travel by shuttle (not owned or operated by UDC) and the metro or a ¾ mile walk from Tenleytown. Will student housing away from campus appeal to students seeking “campus” housing?

Not conveniently located: Though in a bustling neighborhood, The Berkshire is wonderful for American University students commute but does not bring the “campus culture” or “on-campus” feel for UDC students.

Price: The Berkshire has minimal 2 bedroom apartments that start at $3300 per month. Most units are 1 bedroom or efficiencies that limit occupancy to 2 persons (1-bedro and efficiencies) and 4 persons (2-bedroom apartments). In order to break even and/or reduce the amount the university subsidizes (not including student athlete grant-in-aid, housing fees will have to be raised.

Student Athlete Travel: Student athletes have early practices and late night games (some requiring travel) that will get them back to campus late at night and sometimes in the early morning. Getting from the main campus back to the Berkshire will require additional cab fare or shuttle service at the Athletic Departments expense.

Very poor “Yelp” reviews, including an infestation of roaches (during the tour the property management insisted they have taken care of this particular problem with a complete “sweep” of the building.

Renting more apartments but housing the same number of students.

No swimming pool.

Sample rental pricing at The Berkshire:

Apartment Size # of

units # of students Price per unit

Total Price for all units of that size

Studio Large 6

12 1579 18,948 Studio med. 22

44 1479 32,538

Studio small 3

6 1399 4197

1 bedroom small 19

38 1,770 33,630

1 bedroom med 28

50 + 3 staff 1950 54,600

Grand Total 78

153 (including 3 143,913


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staff)

1,726,956

(12 months)

* These prices do not include initial start up costs, moving costs, and additional furniture purchasing costs, insurance, or misc. fees.

Financial impact for students: The projected cost (not including start up costs, insurance, moving, etc.) for students can be looked at in several different ways. Students can be charged by size of apartment, number of students living in apartment, or students can be charged a “general fee” for all students. Included in the cost of housing should be the cost for cable/internet service and apartment turnover (cleaning). Programming monies will continue to come from deposit funds. Current housing costs for residential students is $4200. This price was the original price deemed appropriate when the program officially started at Archstone Van Ness in 2010. The price of apartments has increased for university rental but the price for students has not, thus leading to the university subsidizing the program more. In order for there to be no university subsidy, projected cost for the program (i.e. cost per student at current market rate) equals $12,180 for the academic year as compared to the current $8400. This total price is a 45% increase in current housing charges.

Semester per student

Academic Year total

Current Houisng Charges per student $4,200

$8,400

Revenue of current 148 Students $621,600 $1,243,200

Projected Housing Charges at 45% increase $6,090 $12,180

Revenue for 150 students w/ 45% increase $909,300 $1,818,600


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Recommendation 3: Stay at current locations: 3003 Van Ness/AVA Van Ness Since 2010 the university has had a rental relationship with 3003 Van Ness. The university took 1-bedroom apartments, constructed walls and turned them into two bedroom apartments to house 4 university students per unit. We currently have 31 apartments in this building. In 2013 the university added to the housing program by renting apartments in AVA Van Ness, thus creating another rental relationship. We currently have 10 apartments in this building. Total we house 148 students. Pros:

The university has an established relationship with both properties

Location: The buildings are located directly across from campus making it an easy commute for students. They are also close to the metro, grocery stores, restaurants and shops.

Price: By turning 1-bedroom apartments into 2-bedrooms, the university saves money by paying lease amounts on apartments that are technically 1-bedroom. Renting two bedroom apartments is much more expensive. Additionally, finding apartments that are cheaper will require moving the program out of the NW side of DC.

Size: The apartments in both 3003 Van Ness and AVA Van Ness are very large. Though 5 students are housed in AVA Van Ness they do not feel cramped and many returning students prefer living in AVA over 3003 Van Ness.

Students like both apartment complexes and feel comfortable (overall) in both places.

Housing students across from the student center allows students to utilize the space more often creating a steady flow of foot traffic and use in the building.

The property management has a very good working relationship with the university and works very well with Residence Life staff.

Challenges:

The building association does not want UDC students living at 3003 Van Ness

The university has continuously been reported to the ANC 3F and he Zoning Commission for perceived violations by the building association president in an attempt to get students out of 3003 Van Ness.

Apartments are scattered between the two buildings on many different floors making it a challenge to create a true living/learning environment.

No intern/conference housing for additional revenues.

Costs for students: In order to maintain the current program without university subsidy the price will have to go up for students.

No room for expansion at 3003 Van Ness per the zoning agreement. There is however the possibility of adding 3 additional apartments at AVA Van Ness.

Financial impact for students: In order for the university to continue housing students at their current locations an not subsidize the program student housing fees must increase by 27%. The cost breakdown is as follows:


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CurrentRate Including10%Increase Including20%Increase Including27%Increase

FY2017 FY2017 FY2017 FY2017 FY2017 FY2017 FY2017

Estimate Estimate Estimate Estimate

Revenues

ApartmentRental-3003VanNess 890,400 890,400 979,440 979,440 1,068,480 1,068,480 1,130,808 1,130,808

ApartmentRental-AVAVanNess 319,200 319,200 351,120 351,120 383,040 383,040 405,384 405,384

SummerRentalRevenue W/O 210,000 W/O 210,000 W/O 210,000 W/O 210,000

DepositRevenues 22,200 22,200 22,200 22,200 22,200 22,200 22,200 22,200

TotalRevenues 1,231,800 1,441,800 1,352,760 1,562,760 1,473,720 1,683,720 1,558,392 1,768,392

Expenditures&LeaseAgreements

Salary&Wages 138,700 138,700 138,700 138,700 138,700 138,700 138,700 138,700

StaffBenefits 23,044 23,044 23,044 23,044 23,044 23,044 23,044 23,044

TotalCompensation 161,744 161,744 161,744 161,744 161,744 161,744 161,744 161,744

Utilities 55,000 55,000 55,000 55,000 55,000 55,000 55,000 55,000

Repairs&Turnover 45,000 45,000 45,000 45,000 45,000 45,000 45,000 45,000

FurnitureRental/Buyout 10,000 10,000 10,000 10,000 10,000 10,000 10,000 10,000

Insurance 4,100 4,100 4,100 4,100 4,100 4,100 4,100 4,100

Programming 5,000 5,000 5,000 5,000 5,000 5,000 5,000 5,000

TotalExpenditures 119,100 119,100 119,100 119,100 119,100 119,100 119,100 119,100

LeaseAgreement-Archstone 915,840 915,840 915,840 915,840 915,840 915,840 915,840 915,840

LeaseAgreement-Consulate 343,944 343,944 343,944 343,944 343,944 343,944 343,944 343,944

TotalLeaseExpenditure 1,259,784 1,259,784 1,259,784 1,259,784 1,259,784 1,259,784 1,259,784 1,259,784

TotalExpenditures 1,540,628 1,540,628 1,540,628 1,540,628 1,540,628 1,540,628 1,540,628 1,540,628

NetOperatingProfit/(Loss) $308,828 98,828 $187,868 22,132 66,908 143,092 17,764 227,764

http://www.udc.edu/


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FLAGSHIP – DC Resident -FY17

Resident - CurrentResident - Proposed 10% ($840/$420

difference)

Resident - Proposed 20% ($1,680/$840

difference)

Resident - Proposed 27%

($2,268/$1,134 difference)

Tuition $6,800/$3,400 per semester $6,800/$3,400 per semester $6,800/$3,400 per semester $6,800/$3,400 per semester

Fees $620/ $310 per semester $620/$310 per semester $620/$310 per semester $620/$310 per semester

Housing* $8,400/$4,200 per semester $9,240/$4,620 per semester $10,080/$5,040 per semester $10,668/$5,334 per semester

TOTAL$15,820 per academic year $7,910 per

semester

$16,660 per academic year $8,330 per

semester


semester

$18,088 per academic year

$9,044 per semester

COMMUNITY COLLEGE – DC Resident AY17


difference)


difference)


($1,680/$840 difference)


Fees $600/$300 per semester $600/$300 per semester $600/$300 per semester $600/$300 per semester



semester


semester


semester


$6,864 per semester

LAW SCHOOL – DC Resident AY17


difference)


difference)


($1,680/$840 difference)


Fees $630/$315 per semester $630/$315 per semester $630/$315 per semester $630/$315 per semester



semester


semester


semester


$11,092 per semester

http://www.udc.edu/


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FlagshipNon-Residentialstudents

Proposed 10% ($840/$420 difference) Proposed 20% ($1,680/$840 difference) Proposed 27% ($2,268/$1,134 difference)

$14,634/$7,317 per semester $14,264/$7,132 per semester $14,264/$7,132 per semester

$620/$310 per semester $620/$310 per semester $620/$310 per semester



semester


semester


semester

Community College

Proposed 10% ($840/$420 difference) Proposed 20% ($1,680/$840 difference) Proposed 27% ($2,268/$1,134 difference)





semester


semester


semester

Law School

Resident - Proposed 10% ($840/$420 difference) Resident - Proposed 20% ($1,680/$840 difference)Resident - Proposed 27% ($2,268/$1,134

difference)





semester


semester


semester

http://www.udc.edu/


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Contributing to Student Success

Whether the university decides to build on campus, continues to house students in its current locations or moves the program to the Berkshire, the Office of Residence Life is looking at ways to strengthen it’s program and create a close working relationship with Academic Affairs in support of student success. Residence Life will be reaching out to the community college and department Deans to look at ways they can partner together and create summer programs that could potentially bring in summer revenue and be in compliance with the zoning order and in the creation of “Living/Learning” communities.

What is a living/learning community?

A living/learning community is a tailored community option that allows students to explore a major or majors within the same college, or interest areas in common and live with people who share these interests. Learning happens in all areas of campus, including our student apartments. Living/learning communities are one of many ways we look to build connections to the academic side of the university and support the personal development and academic success of our student residents.

Each living/learning community is unique and gives students the opportunity to meet and interact with other students, as well as faculty and staff. Students may engage with faculty or staff during community programs, college presentations, and through tutoring and mentoring. Participation in living/learning communities has been linked to higher GPAs, increased student satisfaction, and engagement, and improved persistence to and graduation rates.

Goals of living/learning communities at UDC

In keeping with the Division of Student Affairs Goals in “Vision 2020”, the goals of living/learning communities in UDC student apartments are:

1. To offer a tailored community where students with similar majors or interests can live and learn together.

2. To offer a greater sense of “community” not only in the student apartments but in each specific college and the entire university community.

3. To work collaboratively with Academic Affairs in ensuring by in and participation from the College of Business and CAUSES and with the Counseling and University Health Centers, Career and Professional Development Center, and various student groups and organizations

4. To increase retention rates, GPAs, and graduation rates of participating students. 5. To build a student centered learning environment that focuses on the “whole” student

(academic, personal, social, and civic responsibility).

Learning Outcomes

Students who participate in living learning communities will:

1. Live, study, interact, and dialogue with other students who share same or similar

major(s) and areas of interests.


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2. Identify their role as a member of their living/learning community as well as the

student apartment, university, neighborhood, and overall global community.

3. Receive mentoring, tutoring, guidance, and tailored programming from faculty and

staff from their specific college and from various departments and student

organizations on campus (SOAR, Campaign 9:30, Men of Strength, etc.) in their

apartment community and on campus.

4. Increase their GPAs, have a more satisfying overall university experience, will return

to the university and graduate.

5. Identify as having a greater since of belonging and responsibility to the university

and community.

Assessment

Assessment of learning communities will be done by three methods:

1. Student Satisfaction Surveys: Utilizing EBI or a similar housing assessment tool,

students will rate their satisfaction of their specific learning community and the entire

Residence Life program.

2. GPA and Graduation Comparative Analysis: Students residing in our learning

communities will have their GPAs and graduation rates compared to other residence life

students who are not participating in a learning community and the overall campus

community.

3. Pre/Post Student Personal Inventory: Students will do a pre and post assessment

on their knowledge and skills before and after participating in the learning communities

and give their personal opinions on the success of the program.

UDC Student Housing Learning Communities (Examples)

Business

The Business living/learning community is a great opportunity for College of Business and Public Administration students to live and learn with like-minded peers, engage with faculty and staff, and get involved with the college.

In addition to tailored programming, students will have mentoring and tutoring opportunities, and will be offered an opportunity to engage with faculty and staff on a more “informal” basis.

Students will be paired (as best as possible) with new students who are navigating the first years of college together and returning students who can offer additional mentoring.

Eligibility:

Any College of Business student can live in the Business Learning Community.


24

CAUSES

In keeping with the goals of CAUSES, this learning community will embrace the colleges

“…land-grant tradition of UDC, offering innovative academic and community education

programs…”

The CAUSES learning community will immerse themselves in the sustainability efforts of the

college and the university. Programs will be tailored around using the “community as our

classroom”. Not only will efforts be made to enhance the quality of life of students in our campus

community, but our neighbors in our student apartments and the overall Van Ness community.

Eligibility:

Any CAUSES student can live in the CAUSES Learning Community.

Wellness

The Wellness Learning Community will focus on the mind and body of students. Students who

participate in this learning community are those who are interested in incorporating specific

dimensions of wellness in their college experience to have a more balanced lifestyle. Those

wellness areas include but are not limited to: Physical, social spiritual, intellectual, and

occupational.

Students in this learning community will work with The Counseling Center, University Health

Services, Career and Professional Development, and various student groups and organizations

to practice and maintain their bodies and minds in a holistic manner.

Eligibility:

Any student who is interested in living a more balanced lifestyle, which includes abstaining from alcohol, tobacco, and drug use and practicing safe sexual relationships and healthy personal relationships.

Recommendation 4: Discontinue Housing program The University of the District of Columbia has always been a commuter campus. The Housing program initially began to house student athletes. Though the program has grown, it’s also cost the university hundreds of thousands of dollars. Has the program been worth the cost? The residential students would say “yes” but those voices are few as the program is so small. If the university didn’t have housing, those monies could be used for campus areas in need of additional funds. Housing students cost money. The Board of Trustees has spoken very clearly that Housing is an auxiliary and should pay for itself. In order for the Housing department to be fully self-sustain ing fees must go up for residential students. The Board is also not comfortable with this. Unfortunately as neither university subsidy nor student fee increases are actions the Board wants to take, the only other option would be to discontinue the program.


25

Pros:

The university ceases in subsidizing housing for students.

Monies not used for housing can be used in other areas.

The university no longer has to deal with building association, the Zoning Commission, or the ANC 3F for Housing related issues.

The campus will go back to being a true commuter only campus

Challenges:

Current residential students not graduating in spring 2016 will have to find other housing arrangements for the next academic year

Future students may not attend UDC because of a lack of student housing.

Student athletes who receive housing as part of their grant-in-aid will have to find housing close to campus on their $8,400 stipend ($8,400 is the current cost of housing) or the university will have to increase their stipend amount.

As residential students are some of the most active students on campus, the university may see a decrease in campus activity.

Nation wide and international recruitment for Athletics and the university as a whole may decrease if campus housing is not part of the package. Finding housing in DC is difficult for locals, it is overwhelmingly difficult for those from out of the District or country.

Attendance at athletic events may decrease, as residential students are the primary students who attend sporting events on campus.

The campus will go back to being a true commuter only campus. Conclusion Student housing is important. It’s important for our residential students, student athletes, and the overall campus environment. Having student housing is a great marketing tool and helps sell the university to many incoming students. Surveys show that 89% of students entering HBCUs for the first time plan to live in student housing. Student housing is costly. Whether it’s on campus, university run buildings or commercial renting; housing students costs money. But for those who need campus housing in order to pursue higher education in a safe, student success focused environment, it’s worth the costs. References: Astin, A.W., Oseguera, L., Sax, L.J., Korn, W.S. (2002). The American Freshman Thirty-Five Year. Trenes, 1966-2001. Higher Education Research Institute. Graduate School of Education & Information Studies. University of California, Los Angeles. Levine, A. (1994). Guerilla education in residential life. Realizing the Educational Potential of Residence Halls. Schroeder, C.C., Mable, P. & Associates. San Francisco: Jossey-Bass. Pryor, J.H., Hurtado, S., Saenz, V.B., Lindholm, J.A., Korn, W.S., Mahoney, K.M. (2005). The American Freshman National Norms. Higher Education Research Institute. Graduate School of Education & Information Studies. University of California, Los Angeles

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