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 | Oct 31, 2016
Nonresidential fixed investment expands again during solid third quarter
The acceleration in real GDP growth was driven by a combination of factors, including an upturn in exports, a smaller decrease in state and local government spending and an upturn in federal government spending, says ABC Chief Economist Anirban Basu.
Market Data | Oct 28, 2016
U.S. construction solid and stable in Q3 of 2016; Presidential election seen as influence on industry for 2017
Rider Levett Bucknall’s Third Quarter 2016 USA Construction Cost Report puts the complete spectrum of construction sectors and markets in perspective as it assesses the current state of the industry.
Industry Research | Oct 25, 2016
New HOK/CoreNet Global report explores impact of coworking on corporate real rstate
“Although coworking space makes up less than one percent of the world’s office space, it represents an important workforce trend and highlights the strong desire of today’s employees to have workplace choices, community and flexibility,” says Kay Sargent, Director of WorkPlace at HOK.
Market Data | Oct 24, 2016
New construction starts in 2017 to increase 5% to $713 billion
Dodge Outlook Report predicts moderate growth for most project types – single family housing, commercial and institutional building, and public works, while multifamily housing levels off and electric utilities/gas plants decline.
High-rise Construction | Oct 21, 2016
The world’s 100 tallest buildings: Which architects have designed the most?
Two firms stand well above the others when it comes to the number of tall buildings they have designed.
Market Data | Oct 19, 2016
Architecture Billings Index slips consecutive months for first time since 2012
“This recent backslide should act as a warning signal,” said AIA Chief Economist, Kermit Baker.
Market Data | Oct 11, 2016
Building design revenue topped $28 billion in 2015
Growing profitability at architecture firms has led to reinvestment and expansion
Market Data | Oct 4, 2016
Nonresidential spending slips in August
Public sector spending is declining faster than the private sector.
Industry Research | Oct 3, 2016
Structure Tone survey shows cost is still a major barrier to building green
Climate change, resilience and wellness are also growing concerns.
Industry Research | Sep 27, 2016
Sterling Risk Sentiment Index indicates risk exposure perception remains stable in construction industry
Nearly half (45%) of those polled say election year uncertainty has a negative effect on risk perception in the construction market.