Literature Related to College Housing for Adult Undergraduate Students.

This paper examines the literature on residential life and adult education as it applies to undergraduate housing for non-traditional (adult) students. The literature reviewed focuses on the demographics of the adult student population, adult students as learners, and the student affairs needs of adult students. Although the literature related to adult students on campus has grown substantially during the past decade, research on the adult student from a student affairs viewpoint is limited at best. Professionals dealing with campus activities and student life have begun to respond to the needs of adult student, but research in this area is spartan. Of particular note in the literature is the lack of attention to the lifestyles of adult students, including housing needs, campus involvement, and family relationships. (Contains 32 references.) (MDM) ******************************************************************************** * Reproductions supplied by EDRS are the best that can be made * * from the original document. * ******************************************************************************** Literature Related to College Housing for Adult Undergraduate Students Thomas E. Ware, Jr., Ed.D. Resident Director Mallet Men's Honors Residence Program Research Associate Institute for Higher Education Research and Service University of Alabama Tuscaloosa, AL 35487 (205) 348-6022 Michael T. Miller, Ed.D. Associate Professor Higher Education Administration Program Box 870302 University of Alabama Tuscaloosa, AL 35487 (205) 348-1170 U.S. DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION Deice of Educational Research and Improvement EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES INFORMATION CENTER (ERIC) Vihrs document has been reproduced as received from the person or organization originating it 0 Minor changes have been made to improve reproduction quality. Points of wee or opinions stated in this document do not necessarily represent official OE RI position or policy. PERMISSION TO REPRODUCE AND DISSEMINATE THIS MATERIAL HAS BEEN GRANTED BY Thomas E. Ware, Jr. TO THE EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES 0 INFORMATION CENTER (ERIC) 4.4 _ MST COPY AVAILABLE Abstract The number of adult students on college campuses has increased dramatically during the past 15 years. As a result of this growth, institutions have been forced to respond by modifying and adapting services they provide to students. One area which has rarely been addressed in practice, and in the literature base, is residential life. Housing and residential life programs play key roles in the recruitment and retention of students, and have the potential to create more meaningful and educational experiences for adult undergraduate students. This literature review traces the dominant works on residential life and adult education as related adult undergraduate housing.The number of adult students on college campuses has increased dramatically during the past 15 years. As a result of this growth, institutions have been forced to respond by modifying and adapting services they provide to students. One area which has rarely been addressed in practice, and in the literature base, is residential life. Housing and residential life programs play key roles in the recruitment and retention of students, and have the potential to create more meaningful and educational experiences for adult undergraduate students. This literature review traces the dominant works on residential life and adult education as related adult undergraduate housing.