On-Campus Housing Facilities: The Perceptions of Ghanaian University Students
On-Campus Housing Facilities: The Perceptions of Ghanaian University Students
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Date
2018
Authors
Fredrick, Simpeh
Prof Winston, Shakantu
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Publisher
Research Gate
Abstract
This paper explores the perceptions that Ghanaian university students have about their on-campus student
housing facilities (SHFs) with the aim of providing empirical information that can help hostel managers to
appropriately manage and mitigate the gaps in the provision of the services and spaces in SHFs. A
phenomenological research strategy was adopted for this study. Data was qualitatively collected by means of
focus group discussions. A total of ten focus group discussions were carried out in five universities in the
southern part of Ghana. The data was thematically analysed. The study found that students had both positive
(commendation) and negative (challenges) perceptions about the SHFs. On the one hand, students commended
the stable supply of electricity, the proximity of the SHFs to the lecture theatres, the washrooms provided inside
the bedrooms, the provision of mini mart and the religious nature of the SHFs. On the other hand,
discontentment was expressed with: the infrequent water supply; the poor condition of bathrooms and toilet
facilities; the lack of study areas as well as the inadequacy and unavailability of chairs and tables in the study
areas; the slow response of maintenance departments; the poor standard of cleaning; the lack of adequate
kitchens and the lack of stable internet connectivity. With this information, the hostel managers will be well
positioned to appropriately manage the provision of the services and spaces in the SHFs to meet students’ needs
and expectations. The study recommends that university estate and hostel managers take prompt steps to
improve on the provision and management of the services and spaces that students are discontent with,
particularly, those that have health implications as well as those that affect the well-being of the students.
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Citation
Shakantu, W., & Simpeh, F. (2018). On-campus housing facilities: the perceptions of Ghanaian university students. Journal of Emerging Trends in Economics and Management Sciences, 9(6), 318-324.