A census of housing at United States community colleges

Abstract

This research has multiple purposes. The first purpose is to strengthen an original argument offered by Dr. Pat Moeck in 2005 that community colleges do in fact provide housing at a significant level, and the benefits are produced through the administration of on-campus and institutionally controlled housing. Using an exhaustive search of both the Integrated Post-Secondary Educational Database (IPEDS) and a website search of all Public Associate's Colleges in the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching's 2010 Basic Classification of Institutions of Higher Education Two-Year Associates Institutions, an updated and expanded comprehensive listing on community colleges which provide housing was created. This is consistent with Moeck's recommendation that a complete, accurate census of housing at publicly controlled United States community colleges be conducted upon which to base future policy concerning financial support. This study includes an overview of how many institutions provide housing, geographic locations, year of establishment and data related to the corresponding survey that was sent to all 290 identified institutions. Data sets and tables are provided concerning the survey responses. The results of this research indicated that twenty-seven percent of all basic two-year public institutions provide housing. Over one-fourth of all public community colleges provide housing, over half of which are rural institutions, a significant number more than perhaps initially realized only five years ago. The study concludes with recommendations for both policy changes and further research concerning community colleges, calling for better reporting practices and research concerning community college student development, and best practices.