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Hello, I’m Kyle Jones, and welcome to Join the Conversation, a podcast from COCM. Today, I’m very excited to have Dr. Dane Foust with us. Dr. Foust is the Vice President of Student Affairs at Salisbury University, where he’s been leading transformative efforts since 2001 with deep expertise in student support, housing, enrollment management, and strategic planning. Dane has significantly shaped Salisbury’s campus experience, including overseeing major projects like Seagull Square, comprehensive wellness initiatives, and innovative enrollment strategies. We’re thrilled to dive into his insights today.

Our conversation is about successful partnerships in student housing management, particularly emphasizing how Salisbury University’s collaboration with COCM has positively impacted student life, strategic planning, and long-term university goals. So, welcome to the show, Dr. Dane Foust.

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Early Impressions: Choosing the Right Partner

Dr. Dane Foust: Kyle, thank you for the invitation. I really appreciate the opportunity to share a little bit of my experience and my relationship with COCM. It’s been very positive over the years, and I’m delighted to explore the things that have gone really well for us.

Kyle Jones:. On the show, I like to keep things short, sweet, and simple, and dive right into the conversation at hand. Let’s get started. I wanted to ask you first: in your partnership with COCM at Salisbury University, was there a particular moment early on when you knew you had made the right decision?

Dr. Dane Foust: Yeah, I appreciate it. I think there really is. We were in a bid process, looking at a number of different vendors. COCM certainly has a strong brand reputation across the country and within the University System of Maryland and our region. They’re very well known for being good partners, being student-centered, and frankly, being an organization that you’re proud to associate your name with.

What Sets COCM Apart

Kyle Jones: Based on your experience, what set COCM apart from other housing management providers you’ve worked with? What strengths stood out to you, and why were they important for your university?

Dr. Dane Foust: I think that COCM takes a long-term view, which is really important. We’ve had other vendors before that let deferred maintenance go for a while. While we were making good revenues at the beginning of the project term, by the end, our property wasn’t showing well, which created real issues in a competitive market. COCM recognizes the importance not only of good customer service and being student-centered but also of planning and ensuring resources are in place to maintain quality throughout the partnership.

Shaping Long-Term Goals

Kyle Jones: Over the years, how has your collaboration with COCM shaped the overall journey and goals for what you’re trying to accomplish?

Dr. Dane Foust: One of the things really important to Salisbury University—and to me as Vice President—is strong local and regional representation. We have that. Our current manager at University Park is very seasoned, experienced, and knows Salisbury inside and out, which has been very beneficial. Regional management stays in touch with me and the university, leading to a very successful partnership. They’ve maintained close to 100% occupancy, even during COVID. The partnership between our on-campus experience and COCM’s management has been seamless for students, benefiting both financially and in terms of student satisfaction.

Impact of the Sophomore Residency Requirement

Kyle Jones: You mentioned the second-year living requirement. Can you break down the philosophy behind implementing that initiative?

Dr. Dane Foust: When I approached the university president, I shared national data showing that students who live on campus their second year tend to have higher grades, complete more credits, and retain at higher rates, leading to quicker degree completion. We felt comfortable with our residence hall experience and decided to implement the sophomore experience program, assessing it over a five-year period. We hit every benchmark. We had to include University Park because we didn’t have enough space otherwise. We worked closely with COCM on programming, student conduct, and ensuring a seamless student experience. It’s worked really well over time.

Student Feedback

Kyle Jones: What kind of feedback have you received from students living in COCM-managed housing?

Dr. Dane Foust: The sophomore residency requirement and our relationship with COCM have been very positive. The manager at University Park knows every policy and procedure, creating a seamless environment. Students participate in activities like the Gall Games alongside other residence halls, and we’ve collaborated to increase attendance at football and lacrosse games. On social media, students tend to speak candidly, and generally, the feedback has been very positive—especially regarding maintenance, safety, and the overall quality of the experience compared to other private properties.

Advice for Other Universities

Kyle Jones: What advice would you give to a university leader feeling hesitant about making a change but knowing something needs to improve?

Dr. Dane Foust: Be a thoughtful shopper. Do your due diligence, do reference checks, and think long-term—especially regarding maintenance. When COCM took over, they conducted a robust review and gave us a multi-year plan to address deferred maintenance. It cost money upfront but saved us from larger issues later. Having a partner that understands this is critical.

Final Thoughts

Kyle Jones: You’ve been a fantastic guest, Dr. Foust. I’d like to give you the last word. Is there anything else you’d like to share with our listeners?

Dr. Dane Foust: I appreciate the opportunity. I’ve had experience with multiple public-private partnerships, and COCM has been a pleasure to work with. From my conversations with colleagues across the University System of Maryland, it seems they feel the same way.

Thank you again, Dr. Foust, for joining us. For myself and everyone here at COCM, we truly appreciate your time. We hope to have you back on the podcast soon for another insightful conversation!

Stay tuned for more episodes of Join the Conversation!