Residential Facility Assessments: Planning for the Future of Campus Housing

As residential life and housing continue to play a major role in the overall college experience, they remain a priority for campus facilities and real estate professionals. Understanding the impact residential life has on influencing student recruitment, retention, and success drives campus administration and subsequently facilities planners and managers to prioritize spending and optimize improvements to housing and campus student life centers. Furthermore, living on campus connects students to academic resources, campus activities, and peer networks that support engagement and persistence. All of which creates the best return on investment for students and parents. For these reasons, universities continue to invest in their residential facilities as an important part of their campus environment. 

At the same time, many residence halls across the country were built decades ago and are now facing issues with aging infrastructure. Mechanical, electrical, plumbing, and life safety systems that once met the needs of students are reaching the end of their useful life, prompting institutions to evaluate how best to maintain and modernize these buildings. Many colleges and universities are taking a closer look at their residence halls and asking an important question: What’s the best path forward for these buildings? 

Across campuses, student housing, built decades ago, is showing its age. While many of these facilities are still structurally sound, the building systems that support them; (HVAC, electrical, plumbing, technology, and life safety) may no longer perform the way today’s students, staff, and campus standards require. Deciding whether to repair, renovate, or replace these buildings isn’t always straightforward, but making the right choice early helps protect students, manage costs, and plan confidently for the future. 

What Is a Residential Study? 

A higher education residential study is a comprehensive evaluation of a building’s existing infrastructure and overall building performance. It looks beyond surface-level observations to assess the condition, performance, efficiency and remaining lifespan of mechanical, electrical, plumbing, and life safety systems as well as their ability to meet current requirements and operational needs of the campus environment. 

Studies often include detailed field investigations, review of original construction documents, system testing and balancing measurements, and engineering analysis to determine how existing equipment and distribution systems perform compared to current building code requirements and modern design standards. It also helps identify most practical solutions to support future renovation or expansion needs as well as where the systems no longer meet comfort, reliability, sustainability, or integration with modern building technologies and controls.

The evaluation considers factors such as remaining equipment service life, maintenance history, energy usage, code compliance, and the ability of existing systems to support future renovations or occupancy changes. This information is critical for universities to plan for targeted outages, prioritize system upgrades, evaluate necessary renovations, and determine when full replacement will provide the best long-term value while minimizing disruption to building occupants. 

Residential studies also help institutions plan for updating or integrating evolving technologies, including higher electrical loads, modern building controls, improved ventilation strategies, and more energy-efficient equipment. Understanding the limitations of existing infrastructure allows future improvements to be designed without overloading systems or creating costly rework. 

The goal of a residential study isn’t just to identify deficiencies; it’s to provide clear, data-driven guidance to guide decision making. Universities and colleges gain insight into whether targeted repairs, major renovations, or full replacement will deliver the best long-term value, while keeping student health and safety front and center. 

Why It Matters 

Residence halls are more than campus buildings; they’re home. Reliable ventilation, consistent heating and cooling, safe electrical systems, and up-to-date fire protection systems all directly affect students' health, well-being, and comfort. Aging systems or deferred maintenance have the potential to create safety risks, disrupt daily life with unplanned outages, have poor indoor air quality and drive-up long-term operating costs. 

Proactive residence hall studies help universities and colleges: 

• Identify safety and code compliance concerns before they become critical issues. 

• Improve building performance and reduce energy and maintenance costs.  

• Prioritize upgrades that enhance student comfort, health, and equipment reliability. 

• Support informed, long-term capital planning by identifying system priorities.

• Identify aging or undersized infrastructure that could limit future renovations or expansions. 

• Support phased renovations that allow residence halls to remain occupied during improvements.  

By focusing on both safety and system efficiency, universities can make smarter decisions that protect students and their investment. 

Supporting Higher Education Across Ohio 

Tec has partnered with many higher-education institutions, including The Ohio State University and Capital University, to assess and modernize existing residential hall facilities. 

At The Ohio State University, our team conducted several comprehensive infrastructure studies of the South Campus, including Lincoln and Morrill Towers, as well as North Campus, including (Taylor, Drackett, and Jones) Towers. These studies involved detailed field investigations, system capacity evaluations, code reviews, and lifecycle assessments to determine the condition of aging mechanical, electrical, plumbing, and fire protection systems.

The results of these studies were used to guide long-term capital planning and to support renovation and improvement projects. Our team has also supported improvements at Taylor Tower, implementing recommendations from the infrastructure assessments aligning with broader efforts to enhance students’ experience. 

Similarly, at Capital University, Tec performed a residential study of Saylor-Ackerman Hall to evaluate existing system conditions and renovation feasibility. The study provided a clear roadmap for modernization that  will help the University understand the scope of work required for improved building performance, increase operational efficiency, and most importantly, maintain student safety and well-being. 

During the pandemic, as part of a comprehensive residential study at The Ohio State University, Tec evaluated HVAC performance across eight student residential buildings to address underperforming cooling systems and improve student comfort. The study led to phased renovations that replaced outdated valance units with modern fan coil systems, significantly enhancing temperature control and overall living conditions for students. Images from this project are shown below:

A Strategic Approach to Decision-Making 

Every campus is different, and every building tells its own story. Tec’s approach and experience in residence hall studies combine detailed on-site investigations, systems evaluation, code review, and lifecycle analysis to develop objective, actionable recommendations. Our goal is not only to identify deficiencies, but to help universities understand the options available, the cost implications of each approach, and the long-term impact on safety, operations, and student experience. 

By partnering with Tec Inc., universities can make proactive, data-driven decisions that protect the safety of residents, extend the life of their buildings, and maximize long-term value. 

Don’t wait for systems to fail. Let Tec Inc. bring our extensive experience in residence hall assessments, feasibility studies, and infrastructure planning experience to your campus. We can help you evaluate your residence halls, prioritize upgrades, and develop practical solutions that keep your students safe and your campus future ready. 

Contact our team today to discuss your residential study needs and start planning with confidence.