Journal of College & University Student Housing Volume 48, No. 1 - 31

A Content Analysis of College
Student-Proposed Definitions of Sense
of Belonging to a Residential Community
THOUGH COLLEGE STUDENTS' SENSE OF BELONGING has been a
frequent subject of research, what it means in terms of a residential community
remains unclear, specifically what it means from a student perspective. We sought to
fill this gap by providing a clear definition of the sense of belonging in connection to
a residential community. We followed an interpretive research paradigm and solicited
2,400 on-campus residents at a 4-year university within the southern United States.
We received survey responses from 38% (N = 920) of them, of which 581 respondents
supplied a definition. The responses produced three emergent themes: space and
place, strengthening connections, and outcomes of belonging. Based on these themes,
we posit a student-grounded definition of residential sense of belonging. Additionally,
we discuss the importance of including physical space as a component within
this definition. Our proposed definition and findings are written with university
housing and residence life professionals, campus planners, architects, and student
affairs professionals in mind. This definition further details what it means from a
student perspective to belong to a residential community, which may inform these
professionals on how to best enhance the student experience in college. This study
adds to the growing understanding of sense of belonging in higher education.
W
ithin higher education, studies
have examined students' sense
of belonging in many contexts,
and researchers have prescribed their own
vernacular for and definitions of the student
experience. As studies have shown, enhancing
a student's sense of belonging leads to
a more positive collegiate experience and
greater success (Brazzell, 2001; Gopalan
& Brady, 2020; Holloway-Friesen, 2018;
Pittman & Richmond, 2007). Residential
communities were designed to create similar
positive effects to enhance student success
and well-being (Beamer, 2020; Samura,
2016), but little has been published about
how students in residential communities
experience belonging rather than merely
acknowledging its presence. To positively affect
a student's sense of belonging, we argue
that it first takes a more intimate understanding
of what belonging means within the student
context. Therefore, we aim to answer the
Volume 48, No. 1 * 2021
31

Journal of College & University Student Housing Volume 48, No. 1

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Journal of College & University Student Housing Volume 48, No. 1

Journal of College & University Student Housing Volume 48, No. 1 - Intro
Journal of College & University Student Housing Volume 48, No. 1 - Cover1
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Journal of College & University Student Housing Volume 48, No. 1 - Cover4
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