Strategic Enrollment Management Plan: 2025-2026 - Focus 3
Focus Area Three: Enhancing Campus Environment and Infrastructure
Create a welcoming, inclusive, and accessible campus environment by improving physical spaces, technology, and student services. Invest in infrastructure upgrades that support modern learning, research, and community engagement while advancing UH Hilo’s sustainability and resiliency goals.
Insights
- Campus Perception: Feedback from students, faculty, and staff highlights outdated facilities and a lack of inclusive communal spaces, which negatively impact student satisfaction and engagement. This is especially true in student housing, athletic facilities, and academic buildings.
- Declining Yield from Out-of-State Students: Perceptions of the campus infrastructure may be contributing to declining yield rates, particularly from secondary markets.
Action Plan
- Prioritize Campus Upgrades: Conduct a comprehensive audit of campus facilities, focusing on areas that foster collaboration, inclusivity, and cultural relevance. Make necessary upgrades to academic buildings, student lounges, and residence halls to reflect UH Hilo’s values. (Goal 5 Action 4)
- Incorporate Hawaiian Culture: Revitalize high-traffic areas by incorporating Hawaiian cultural elements, such as native plants, art, and language, to create spaces that foster student interaction and wellness. (Goal 1 Action 1-3; Goal 5 Action 4)
- Enhance Digital Infrastructure: Improve campus Wi-Fi and technology resources to support remote learning and hybrid course offerings, ensuring students have access to modern tools and technology. (SP Goal 5 Action 4)
- Improve Accessibility: Ensure all infrastructure upgrades address accessibility needs, particularly for students with disabilities, and provide relevant staff and faculty training. (Goal 2 Action 3; Goal 5 Action 4)
Measures
- Positive feedback from students regarding campus aesthetic and functionality improvements.
- Increased student engagement in communal spaces and student life activities.
- Improved student satisfaction regarding the availability and quality of campus technology and facilities.