New Sodexo Student Living Offer for Universities Delivers a Suite of Services that Drive Student Recruitment and Retention

With 20 percent of campus revenue being driven by student housing, new Student Living offer introduces nearly 70 distinct services to address the most pressing needs of students and universities
Sep 27, 2016 9:45 AM ET

GAITHERSBURG, Md., September 27, 2016 /3BL Media/ -- Recognizing that 40 percent of students rank living accommodations as an important selection factor in choosing a college, Sodexo, the world leader in Quality of Life Services, today announced the global launch of Student Living by Sodexo, a suite of services addressing critical issues related to student recruitment and retention on college and university campuses. The new student housing offer, which is currently deployed in the UK and Canada, formally launches in the U.S. today.

According to the National Center for Education Statistics, in fall 2016, some 20.5 million students are expected to attend American colleges and universities, constituting an increase of about 5.2 million since fall 2000. Leaving the familiarity of home and transitioning to campus life can be a challenging adjustment for students. Satisfaction with housing accommodations significantly impacts student retention, with nearly one-third of students dropping out of college or transferring to another institution after their first year.

“Social connectivity and physical environment are  key factors in making housing decisions for 47 percent of our students who say connections to students and campus services is critical,” said Paul Anstey, CEO, Sodexo Universities in UK & Ireland, Nordics & Benelux Regions. ”Student Living looks at the entire student journey from pre-arrival through graduation, delivering a suite of services that enhance student performance on campus while also attending to key business concerns for college and university administration.”

Sodexo’s dynamic approach to fulfilling a reimagined university lifestyle delivers a myriad of benefits for the entire campus community to include:

  • Higher occupancy rate
  • Enhanced student satisfaction and well-being
  • Increases sense of student safety
  • Improved retention rates
  • Efficient, streamlined management of student life services
  • Improved academic performance
  • Consistent revenue stream

Globally, Sodexo partners with nearly 1,600 colleges and universities providing integrated facilities management and food service operations. Its new student housing offer allows Sodexo to provide unparalleled ability to work collaboratively with University Life, Student Affairs and Housing departments. Included among the more than 70 services are:

  • Leasing and allocation
  • HVAC
  • Building Operations and Management
  • Concierge
  • Transportation and bike rental
  • End of semester storage
  • Bookstores
  • Fitness centers
  • Retail dining, cafes and national food brands, resident dining
  • Loyalty programs
  • Roommate matching
  • Rooming essentials
  • Diversity awareness
  • Safety and Security

Sodexo delivers more than 100 services across North America that enhance organizational performance, contribute to local communities and improve quality of life. The Fortune Global 500 company is a leader in delivering sustainable, integrated facilities management and foodservice operations.

Learn more about Sodexo at its corporate blog, Sodexo Insights.