According to recent stats, 60% of full-time students enrolled in private nonprofit four-year degree programs and 36% of those enrolled in equivalent programs offered by public schools live on campus. For these students, living here is an integral part of their higher education experience.
On-campus living opens opportunities for academic and social engagement, ensuring students get the best out of their college experience. Living on campus allows students to benefit from immediate access to various educational activities such as lectures, seminars, library services, and clubs. Furthermore, it allows them to form meaningful relationships with professors, faculty, and peers to expand their social life.
In recent years, technological advancements have enabled universities to take advantage of cutting-edge solutions that make on-campus dorms more comfortable and efficient. Let's dig into some of these evolutions and how they are contributing to the evolution of on-campus dorms.
#1 Keyless Entry
With keyless school security door locks, students no longer need to carry physical keys or cards around all the time. Instead, they can unlock their dorms using a smartphone app or a biometric scan. This doesn't only protect the property but also reduces the need for regular lock changes, which often require a significant investment in time and money for colleges and universities. It also eliminates the risk of misplaced or stolen keys that could be used to access unauthorized places within the residence hall.
Keyless systems also provide numerous other benefits, such as increased transparency into who is entering the premises, improved customer experience with modern self-check-in options, and reduced waiting times due to automated access control processes.
#2 Intelligent Video Security
By incorporating artificial intelligence (AI), video security systems for schools are able to monitor the premises in real time and quickly identify suspicious activity. This higher level of supervision helps create a safer and more comfortable student living environment. Intelligent video security also allows campus managers to gain insights into dorms’ usage patterns and occupancy. This information can enable administrators to manage campus resources (such as electricity and water consumption) more efficiently.
Intelligent video security systems also provide features such as facial recognition, which can be used in conjunction with access control systems for higher levels of protection. With automated notifications from these systems, residence hall managers can take quick action if any suspicious activity is detected or unauthorized individuals attempt to access the premises.
#3 Smart Building Features
Smart buildings use technologies such as Internet of Things (IoT) sensors, artificial intelligence (AI), and machine learning (ML) algorithms to collect and analyze data in real time. These technological solutions allow dorm administrators to manage the property better and provide improved services to students. For instance, smart buildings can track occupancy levels, energy consumption data, and access control information. Through this data collection process, administrators can optimize operations such as heating or cooling systems and adjust service offerings based on changing demand patterns. Additionally, these smart platforms can be used in conjunction with access control systems to provide higher levels of security.
Other benefits of smart buildings include increased transparency into who is entering the premises, improved customer experience with modern self-check-in options, automated energy-saving lighting controls, and reduced waiting times due to automated access control processes.
#4 Faster and More Reliable Communication Services
Students living in on-campus dorms often face the challenge of limited Wi-Fi connection and poor cellphone signal. This can be a major inconvenience as it limits their internet access, staying connected with friends and family, and even completing their coursework. Thankfully, there are several ways that campus dorms can overcome these obstacles. One way is by boosting the power of existing networks and router systems. With network boosters installed throughout residence halls, students will receive stronger signals, significantly improving their connections' quality.
Another approach is using mesh technology, where a series of routers are strung together to create a more extensive single network. Such an arrangement allows for greater coverage over the entire area, increasing the strength of Wi-Fi networks and cell phone signals. By using these techniques, campus dorms can provide better Wi-Fi connection and cellphone signal to students while minimizing installation and maintenance costs. Additionally, with improved connections comes greater convenience for students allowing them to further engage with the world around them.
These technological advancements have significantly improved the quality of life in on-campus residence halls and are helping to create a secure and enjoyable learning environment for students. As a result, students can better focus on their studies while also enjoying the social benefits of living in a residence hall.
