Thousands of university campuses have been remaining eerily empty following the COVID-19 outbreak. However, with or without a pandemic, summers tend to be the least hectic time of the year for university campuses around the world. While students are away, the campus administrators have a valuable opportunity to reflect on the unique needs and challenges of their campuses.
Given the role of universities when it comes to economic, social, and technological progress, campuses must keep evolving to provide the most optimal educational experience. While the routine repairs and maintenance projects are essential, innovative universities might opt for going the extra mile.
Here are some ways university campuses can add value to the learning process during summers, for when the students come back in autumn.
Upgrading Technological Infrastructure
Education is increasingly more dependent on a good internet connection and other technological tools. For university students, they mean faster learning, higher engagement, and opportunities. Hence, it’s imperative for universities to keep up to date with the latest technologies. However, the process of changing and upgrading the technological infrastructure of a university might cause temporary difficulties with the existing ones.
While a technological glitch might significantly hinder the learning process during term times, summers are an ideal time for universities to ensure they’re future-forward institutions.
From upgrading the internet connection to experimenting with new ed-tech tools, university campuses can add value to the quality of their education during summers.
Providing Ease of Access for Everyone, Every Moment
On most buildings, the doors and door hardware are among the most heavily used elements. Especially in a place like a high-traffic university campus, door components and operators will be subjected to thousands of open/close cycles a year — potentially millions throughout the life of the product.
Hence, establishing an appropriate and regular service and maintenance schedule is crucial. During summers, campus managers have an opportunity to get their staff fully trained or update their door security and access training.
Furthermore, installing smart technology on campuses such as an integrated access control system can steady and control the stream of traffic coming onto the university campus. This would allow the university to be open to the public and help the visitors make the most use of the facilities while students are away.
Making the Campus Greener and More Sustainable
Green campuses not only cut their carbon emissions, but enjoy a myriad of benefits like reduced costs, more engaged students, and a better reputation. However, the transformation that campus needs to go through to be more sustainable can be a complicated process. Hence, summer is often an ideal season for sustainability enhancements for a university.
While each campus will have unique needs and challenges with going green, administrators can consider campus solutions for the five R’s — refuse, reduce, reuse, re-purpose, then recycle. This might entail precautions to reduce the buildings’ energy use, or even mount solar power stations across. Other changes could include ensuring all the lights are LED and energy-efficient, as well as repairing any water pipes or taps to prevent waste.
