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The Underutilization of University Resources
By Jacob Roibal and Mallory Coffman.
TUITION..........................................$16,000
HOUSING..........................................$9,000
FOOD................................................$5,000
FEES.................................................$6,000
TOTAL................................$36,000

TABLE
OF
CONTENTS.

1
2
4
6
8
10
12-25
INTRODUCTION
USE OF UNIVERSITY RESOURCES
STUDENT MENTAL HEALTH CRISIS
IMPACT ON STUDENT SUCCESS
SOLUTIONS
DESIGN SOLUTIONS
BUILDING DESIGN

INTRODUCTION.

Students pay obscene amounts of money attached to
their tuition to support resources and programs they
will never use if they even hear about them all. The
average student pays fees of $6,000 annually.
You pay for it, why not use it?
Often students find themselves afraid to seek help
when they require it for mental health and/or academic
support.
This happens when a stigma surrounds a resource
which deters students from its benefit. For example,
many students fear counseling services because they
may seem weak by their peers. Another is when
someone struggling academically may refuse resources
as to not look unintelligent.
The only one who loses out is the one who does not
seek help.
1

USE OF UNIVERSITY RESOURCES
Although student resources are available, they
are extremely under-utilized when looking at the
number of struggling students where available
resources would keep them from dropping out,
committing suicide, or performing poorly in school.
75% 86%
of students in the
mental illness
category did not seek
counseling through
available college
resources.
of students who
died from suicide
did not seek any
help from school
counselling
resources.
2

STUDENTS PER YEAR
2.34 MILLION
RECIEVE TUTORING
28.9%
DROPOUTS
40%
GRADUATE
60%
Each year in the US, 2.34 million new students
embark on their college journey. Out of that
massive pool, only 28.9% attempt tutoring and less
than 20% of undergraduate students reach out to
career centers. Because of this and various other
reasons, 40% of students drop out of college, and
only 1.4 million students reach graduation.
3

Suicide is the #2 leading cause of death in college students.
STUDENT MENTAL HEALTH CRISIS
2 in 3 students have a mental health
problem
In a 2019 study consisting of over 90,000 students on over 133 college campuses,
60% of students fit the criteria for one or more mental health problems. Rates of
mental health problems are steady over all races, however, students of color are less
likely to seek help. Counseling centers are overwhelmed, have long waiting lists,
and have burned out counselors.
Suicidal Thoughts
15%
Depression
44%
Anxiety
38%
4

Less than 25% of students who have a mental illness seek help
PERCENTAGE OF STUDENTS THAT REACHED OUT BY RACE
WHY?
Stigmas surrounding mental health come in different forms but all percieve
people with a mental illness in a negative light. Some of these perceptions refer
to stereotypes that they are weak, dangerous, unpredictable, or even just attention
seeking. A study has found that racial minorities are especially held against these
mental health stigmas, leading to their relectance in reaching out for help.
72% of counselors are white. Racial minorites may feel a disconnect with a white
counselor. Minority students may feel more validated or comforted by someone
with the same ethnic background as them and able to provide help for their unique
cultural experiences. It is important for students to feel like they can trust a therapist
with their problems.
Cultural norms, similar to stigmas, deal with values or perceptions that people with
mental illnesses are weak. Many individuals from racial minority backgrounds fear
that seeking mental health treatment will reinforce negative stereotypes or lead to
further discrimination, so they may avoid seeking help altogether.
Academic pressure is higher for minority students that are combating racial
stereotypes. Whether this is imposed by themselves, their family or community, it
may lead to minority students prioritizing their academic success over mental health.
5

IMPACT ON STUDENT SUCCESS
Of undergraduate students reported that they had considered dropping out
of college in their first year due to emotional stress.
Students with depression are 2x as likely to have discontionous
enrollment
The transition from high school to college can be overwhelming, students begin
dealing with seperation anxiety and a new set of responsibilities. The pressure
to succeed academically, coupled with uncertainty about their chosen major or
career path, can intensify stress and anxiety. Additionally, students may face social
pressures, including the desire to fit in and make new friends, which can exacerbate
feelings of loneliness and isolation. The combination of these factors, along with the
absence of established support networks, can strain students’ mental health and make
the first year of college particularly challenging.
6

Mild to severe depression leads to an average -0.2 change in GPA
This number increases to -0.4 when the depression lasts for over six months.
Students dealing with depression have a harder time maintaining enough motivation
to get good grades. The pervasive feelings of sadness, hopelessness, and fatigue
associated with depression can hinder a student’s ability to concentrate, attend
classes regularly, complete assignments, and prepare for exams.
Of students reported with mental illness, those who received treatment
were 51% less likely to drop out
Research proves that students who were treated for their mental health felt more
capable to their school work and learn. College campuses offer a range of support
services, including counseling and therapy, that are readily accessible to students.
By seeking help, students can gain the necessary tools and support to navigate the
challenges they face, ultimately promoting not only their mental health but also their
educational and personal growth during their college years.
7

1 in 3 students in college fall into at least on mental illness category.
Compared to 20% of high school students, over 60% of college
students have reported to feel depressed, have anxiety, or thoughts of
suicide.
Solution ?
Re Imagine education methods
Knowledge retention vs.
knowledge application:
Abolish exams
The method of testing students through
exams has been proven to negatively
effect their self esteem, motivation for
learning and sleep habits. These factors all
contribute to depression and anxiety rates.
Not only are these outdated methods of
testing knowledge decreasing students
mental health, exams are not the best way
to check their knowledge. Memorizing
information for an exam is not a true
understanding of what is being taught.
It would be more beneficial to students
mental health and learning success if they
were to practice knowledge application in
a real world sense instead of memorizing
8

GPA prioritized over
learning
Studies have found that students with a lower GPA are more
likely to have depression and anxiety. However, stressing about
grades is also a cause of depression and anxiety. This cycle
overall negatively impacts students mental health. When students
are focused on getting good grades, learning goals are no longer
a priority. GPA competition among students has also been found
to have the opposite effect, rather than being an incentive for
students, it can actually lower their motivation.
Lectures are a low level of learning
“Students in classes
with traditional
stand-and-deliver
lectures are 1.5
times more likely
to fail than students
in classes that use
more stimulating, socalled
active learning
methods.”
A study was done in Harvard to compare a lecture based class and an active
learning class, results found that students scored 10 percentage points lower on
tests compared to their peers in active learning classrooms. The active learning
class was student-centered and involved problem solving situations. When students
feel better about their ability to learn and retain knowledge, their mental health
increases.
Eradicate the lecture hall
A lecture hall holds a hierarchy where the professor stands in the front and presents
information without any discussion or collaboration. Classrooms should be a place
where students come to learn and collaborate together. Student centered learning is
a newer way to check in and make sure that course content is being retained and can
even work together in a real world scenario.
9

Design Solutions
Harkness Method Approach
Developed by Edward Harkness, the Harkness teaching method removes the hierachy of old
lecture style classrooms. It encourages open, student-led discussions around a communal
table, fostering a sense of collaboration and intellectual exploration. This method promotes
active engagement, critical thinking, and communication skills as students learn to express
their ideas, listen to their peers, and construct knowledge collectively. By empowering
students to take ownership of their education, it helps reduce anxiety and stress often
associated with more traditional, teacher-centered methods. It builds self-confidence, as
students learn to express themselves and develop a deeper understanding of the material
through dialogue and debate. Additionally, the method emphasizes active listening, empathy,
and social interaction, fostering a sense of community and emotional well-being. In this way,
the Harkness Method not only enhances academic growth but also nurtures students’ overall
mental health and well-rounded development.
10

Natural Light
It has been proven that increased hours of
sunlight can help with levels of depression
because it releases serotonin into the
brain. Natural light in a student used space
can be especially helpful because it can
also increase brain productivity. Seasonal
depression is found to be common among
college students, natural sunlight can
combat this during the winter months.
Benefits
1. Improves sleep
2. Increase Vitamin D
3. Happier mood
4. Avoid seasonal
depression
5. Reduces stress and
Student Centered
Classrooms
By getting rid of a lecture based
education method, lecture halls
will be eradicated from design.
New, smaller breakout classrooms
will allow students to be actively
involved in their learning and
collaborate with each other.
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