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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Podcast

What Higher Ed Can Learn from Global Customer Experience Leaders: Insights from Philipp Hahn

November 21, 2025

In this episode of the Student Housing Matters podcast, host Kyle Finn sits down with global transformation pioneer Philipp Hahn—an advisor to companies like Airbus, BMW, and Mercedes-Benz—to explore what “customer thinking” really means on campus. Hahn argues that students judge every experience against their last best experience anywhere, not just against peer institutions. Together,…

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Blog

Preparing your property for winter weather — top maintenance tips

November 19, 2025

Cold snaps punish buildings. In student housing, that means heat calls, burst pipes, icy entries, and late-night alarms. The goal is simple: keep heat on, water in the pipes, lights on, and walkways safe. Here’s a practical checklist that works on residence halls and apartments. 1) Keep the heat steady 2) Protect pipes from freezing…

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Blog

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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Blog

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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Blog

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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Blog

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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Blog

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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Blog

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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Blog

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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Join the Conversation – Dr. Artie Travis Transcript

March 27, 2025

Host: Kyle Jones, Director of MarketingGuest: Dr. Artie L. Travis, Vice President for Student Affairs, Frostburg State University Kyle Jones:Hello, I’m Kyle Jones. Welcome to Join the Conversation, a podcast from COCM. Today’s guest is Dr. Artie L. Travis. He brings over four decades of experience in higher education leadership. As Vice President for Student…

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Podcast

Dr. Travis Talks Strong Campus Partners and Winning Relationships

February 21, 2025

From COCM and Student Housing Matters, this is Join the Conversation, a show that explores topics and ideas with leaders and influencers in higher education and the student housing profession. In today’s episode, we’re chatting with Dr. Artie L. Travis. Dr. Travis brings over four decades of experience in higher education leadership to our conversation…

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