The Student Housing Matters blog explores ideas with leaders in higher education and the student housing profession. This is the place to find stories from those who have worked in the field for many years, podcast interviews, and videos about relevant topics in the student housing world.

It’s about matters relating to on-campus student housing, as well as why quality on-campus student housing really matters. We want this blog to serve as a forum for sharing ideas and insights about how your on-campus student housing can do things beyond simply housing students. How it can be used as a more powerful tool to recruit and retain students on your campus. We look forward to you joining us in the conversation.

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Posts by: Alton Irwin

Podcast

Podcast | Interview with Dr. Lisa Guion Jones – ACE Fellow

May 10, 2018

 Dr. Lisa Guion Jones has an incredible back-story that makes her passionate about higher education and ensuring that students from all backgrounds have the opportunity to pursue their dreams. Dr. Jones has nearly 23 years of experience in the field of education. She has a unique blend of direct experience in leadership, teaching, research, and extension/engagement…

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Figuring Out How Many Beds You Need Keeping You Awake at Night?

November 13, 2017

We’ve got an App for that!   Introducing the Student Housing Calculator.  About 10 years ago, COCM developed a proprietary tool called the Student Housing Calculator, to help take the mystery and confusion out of the planning process for a campus housing program.  It is a tool we have used to assist numerous institutions with their…

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Gens X, Y, & Z and the “Academic Workplace”

September 25, 2017

  The Chronicle of Higher Education recently featured an article entitled “How Generations X, Y, and Z May Change the Academic Workplace.” College campuses are home to a variety of generations of students, faculty, and staff.  More senior faculty and staff may be a part of the Baby Boomer generation, characterized by hard work and grittiness.  Many…

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Blog

Student Housing Coming to Terra State Community College

September 21, 2017

COCM is pleased to announce that it will become the management partner for Terra State Community College’s first on-campus housing, The Landings at Terra Village. Opening in Fall 2018, Terra State, located in Fremont, is one of the only community colleges in the state of Ohio to offer on-campus housing for students. Click here to read…

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10-story Hamilton tower breaks ground at the Community College of Philadelphia

September 13, 2017

As housing on community college campuses continues become more and more frequent, The Radnor Group and the Community College of Philadelphia are continuing that trend.  Congratulations to the David Yeager and The Radnor Group on the ground-breaking for this project.  All the best for a successful project! Read more about the project here: 10-story Hamilton…

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Grand Opening For New Student Housing At Glen Oaks Community College

August 25, 2017

So honored to serve Glen Oaks Community College as manager of this new, first-time housing for their students.  Excited to see how this new housing is going to enhance student success on the campus! Click here to read more! Grand Opening for GOCC Student Housing

Profile of American College Presidents

June 21, 2017

Every five years, the American Council on Education (ACE) conducts a survey among college presidents from all walks of life in higher ed: public/ private and two-year/ four-year institutions. According to ACE, the study “contains data on presidential demographics, search and selection processes, career trajectories, and the duties and responsibilities of college and university chief executive officers.…

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Perspectives on Strong Campus Housing Partnerships From Both Sides of the Table

June 15, 2017

In the most recent copy of the NACAS College Services magazine, we did an article highlighting differing perspectives on public-private partnerships for on-campus student housing.  It’s a panel discussion where we assembled  four student housing professionals, all of whom have worked for COCM and a university, to interview them about their experiences with campus housing…

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COCM Student Housing Professional – Shelby Riddle

June 9, 2017

Earlier this month, COCM’s Merchant Card Services Coordinator, Shelby Riddle, was invited by Regions Bank to participate in a panel for their Commercial Card User Forum in Nashville, TN. Shelby discussed topics such as: Card management tips for organizations Best practices for misuse/fraud COCM’s overall commercial card program Efficient expense reporting and reconciliation processes COCM custom reporting…

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Making the Most of a Summer Internship

June 8, 2017

As summer begins, so do thousands of internships across the country. Students who are eager and committed to gaining experience and strengthening their resumes, embark on jobs – some with compensation, some without – that will hopefully get them one step closer to a job or grad school upon completing their degree. An article in Fast…

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Blog

“Can the middle class afford college?”

May 23, 2017

Jeff Selingo’s recent article in the Washington Post entitled “Can the middle class afford college?” brought to light, very sobering and disheartening facts for middle Americans striving to earn a higher education degree and balance the crucial financial component. An excerpt from the article, raises the point of the discussion by My. Selingo “as college prices continue…

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