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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3 ways to make campus feel safer and more connected

October 23, 2025

The first week sets the tone. If we were walking your halls together, here’s what I’d suggest—simple steps students will feel right away. 1) Light the paths and make routes obvious Well-lit, easy routes invite students to use your spaces—especially after dark. What to try Take a 60–90 minute night walk with a notepad. Look…

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5 Design Hacks to Make Study Lounges Irresistible

October 7, 2025

Move-in hype fades fast. What keeps students on campus—and coming back to the same space night after night—is a study lounge that works. Here are five field-tested design strategies you can roll out quickly (with fast, low-cost options) to turn “meh” rooms into magnets for focus and collaboration. 1) Zone the room (and say it…

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7 Hacks for Streamlining Move-In—Boost Satisfaction from Day One

September 29, 2025

Move-in day sets the tone for the entire year. A smooth first hour builds trust with students (and their families); a bumpy one is hard to shake. Here’s a simple, field-tested playbook you can run next term to keep lines short, elevators moving, and smiles up. 1) Lock the date before the date (pre-arrival flow) Why…

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Maximizing Occupancy: Amenity Upgrades That Pay Back

September 3, 2025

In student housing, amenities are more than a checklist of features — they’re strategic assets. From quiet study lounges to modern fitness centers and vibrant outdoor spaces, the amenities you invest in can directly influence student satisfaction, lease renewals, and long-term occupancy trends. But which upgrades deliver the greatest return? And how can you ensure…

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Unveiling the Potential of Campus Housing

August 25, 2025

An Introduction to Fresh Eyes Consulting (aka: the three-day campus tune-up your students will feel) Let’s be honest: campus housing never sits still. Enrollment shifts, programs evolve, and what students expect from “home on campus” changes every term. That’s why we built Fresh Eyes Consulting—a focused, on-site engagement that helps you see your housing through…

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Challenges and Opportunities in the Student Housing Market

August 20, 2025

Student housing is evolving quickly. Enrollment patterns, student expectations, and aging facilities are reshaping how campuses plan and operate residence communities. Here’s how COCM sees the market—and where universities can win with the right strategy and partnerships. Challenge: Evolving Demand & Expectations Enrollment continues to grow at many institutions, and with it, student expectations for…

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The Benefits of Third-Party Management in Student Housing

August 13, 2025

Discover how partnering with a specialized operator like COCM drives efficiency, resident satisfaction, compliance, scalability, and data-driven improvements—backed by real COCM insights. Managing student housing on U.S. campuses today demands balancing tight budgets, evolving student expectations, regulatory compliance, and the rapid turnover of a 24/7 residential community. That’s where a specialized third-party management partner excels.…

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Brian Kraft talks growing trends with Student Housing Business Magazine

February 28, 2024

View the full article in Student Housing Business Magazine’s latest issue. Operating On-Campus A look at some of the growing trends and best practices for third-party management on-campus. By Katie Sloan Enrollment is continuing to rise at many universities across the country — a fact which, alone, would be likely to substantiate a rise in…

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Focus on Gratitude: Caring & Improving

November 27, 2023

I have been privileged to work with COCM for quite a few years.  When I reflect on my career and on discussions with peer, I am grateful that COCM truly values its’ employees. COCM is hands down, in my opinion, the best when it comes to caring about employees and putting programs in place to…

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Focus on Gratitude: Blessed with Talent

November 20, 2023

I recently celebrated my 15th year with COCM.  When I came to work for COCM, I had a plan of working for 3-5 years with a private company and then returning to a university, but that never happened. I found my professional home. I am grateful to have found a place where I have been able to grow, continue…

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Focus on Gratitude: Friendships Made

November 15, 2023

As I think back over the years I have worked at COCM, I am grateful in many ways for God’s blessings on my life and work here.   I am grateful that while I was still working with Capstone Development, Doug Brown got me involved in Fresh Eyes Consulting, which was not only an opportunity for professional development, but also a chance…

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