Good post. I was going to make a snarky comment about how the collapse in higher education enrollment would force some places to re-assess their zoning regulations in the face of population losses. Turns out that the statistical impact in dropping enrollment probably won't move the needle that much in terms of housing availability---except in some very remote communities where a school closure wipes out the local economy.
I'm inclined to agree with the linkage between wealthy progressives blocking housing construction. Many colleges and universities, particularly highly ranked ones, have practiced a "steady-state" model of enrollment for decades. This stasis has been partly offset by hiring bloat in staff, attendants, and part-time faculty, but the zeitgeist of a college town is one of limited change to the overall population. This creates a political environment that would oppose any type housing construction, because locals---most of who depend on the college for their jobs in a direct or indirect fashion---will associate new inhabitants with undesirables. "You can't let Orcs settle in our Shire!" cry the Hobbits at the town meeting.
The consequence of this stasis is inflated housing costs which creates price pressure for lower paid staff and part-time faculty. Off campus housing for some students can be often be maintained in a state of squalor by landlords because they have a captive market. Occasionally, college leaders will build housing for non-student groups that are critical to the functioning of the institution, but this type of investment is usually regarded as less important than a new football stadium or science building.
Love a good College Town analysis.
Good post. I was going to make a snarky comment about how the collapse in higher education enrollment would force some places to re-assess their zoning regulations in the face of population losses. Turns out that the statistical impact in dropping enrollment probably won't move the needle that much in terms of housing availability---except in some very remote communities where a school closure wipes out the local economy.
I'm inclined to agree with the linkage between wealthy progressives blocking housing construction. Many colleges and universities, particularly highly ranked ones, have practiced a "steady-state" model of enrollment for decades. This stasis has been partly offset by hiring bloat in staff, attendants, and part-time faculty, but the zeitgeist of a college town is one of limited change to the overall population. This creates a political environment that would oppose any type housing construction, because locals---most of who depend on the college for their jobs in a direct or indirect fashion---will associate new inhabitants with undesirables. "You can't let Orcs settle in our Shire!" cry the Hobbits at the town meeting.
The consequence of this stasis is inflated housing costs which creates price pressure for lower paid staff and part-time faculty. Off campus housing for some students can be often be maintained in a state of squalor by landlords because they have a captive market. Occasionally, college leaders will build housing for non-student groups that are critical to the functioning of the institution, but this type of investment is usually regarded as less important than a new football stadium or science building.