About the 21st Century Project

It was early in his presentation when futurist Glen Heimstra made a subtle – but important – distinction. As he spoke to more than 100 higher education professionals assembled for the 21^st Century Project Summit, he explained the event’s goal should not be to predict the future of college housing. Rather than look for a crystal ball solution, he said, the goal should be to look at trends, evaluate information, and then envision where the profession should be 25 to 30 years in the future. It was then that the profession could begin to examine the choices and decisions that must be made in order to reach that “future.”

For the next three days in Chicago in February 2006, the summit attendees did just that. Through carefully moderated small-group discussions the collected college presidents, provosts, financial officers, heads of student affairs and campus housing departments, academics, designers, vendors, and students proactively debated the needs and desires of future students and how college and university housing can better meet them. The overriding message to come out of the conversation was that it is no longer enough for college housing simply to provide students four walls and a bed. Current and future students are demanding more from their residential experience. And administrators have realized that unique, functional, and technologically advanced living experience can attract and retain students.

But what are the factors that will shape the future of college housing? Many of the Summit participants anticipated rapid changes in technology; less government funding and more corporate involvement in higher education; an around-the-clock global society; and new, more competitive, and volatile career modes. Attendees also identified an increased concern for sustainability in construction, maintenance, and practice as a defining trend that would be of high importance for students and campus administrators alike.

Finally, the attendees stressed the importance of ensuring all the individuals and campus departments that touch housing be a part of these conversations as they occur at colleges and universities around the world. That’s why organizers came to refer to the Summit as a chance to “begin a better dialogue.” And, when discussions are held in relation to the challenges that face college housing, there must be a willingness to look beyond the solutions of the past. There are not going to be uniform best practices or blanket solutions as each campus is unique, fitted with their own situations, own values, own missions, and own strategies.

Along with the amazing insight, one of the most valuable things to come from the 21^st Century Project Summit was the model used for discussion and debate. The 21^st Century Project is unique in that everyone who should be involved in discussions about college housing – housing officers, administrators, business officers, professional planners, academics, student affairs officers, students, and other experts – were all brought together at the same table and share their insights. As a result, a more full and lively discussion took place and more complete conclusions were reached.

Armed with that information, the 21^st Century Project launched the first of its design showcase competitions. These will be an ongoing experience, offering a number of opportunities for discovery and creation. When complete, the knowledge, creativity, and ingenuity of the 21^st Century Project participants will combine to create fully-functioning prototype residence halls that will be constructed on one or more college campuses. There it will serve not only as housing for students, but a teaching model for what the future of college housing must strive to achieve.