Home » Insights » Facilities management that puts student life first
In higher education, facilities management isn’t just about buildings. It shapes how safe, supported and comfortable students feel every day.
That means putting student life first – planning maintenance around term dates, supporting move-in day and keeping campus spaces safe, welcoming and fully operational.
On one of our university residential contracts, we introduced a dedicated Resident Experience Officer role to bring a more student-focused approach to service delivery. The role is designed to improve communication, reduce disruption and ensure services flex around the rhythms of campus life.
Andrew Hewitt fulfils that role and sees every day how closely the student living experience is linked to wellbeing and academic success. Here, he shares how he helps create a better day-to-day experience for students living on campus:
Facilities management in a university setting is not just about buildings; it is about the students learning and living in them. Many are away from home for the first time, so my role is to make sure the environment supports them, reduces disruption and helps them settle in, study well and enjoy university life.
I act as a bridge between the client, accommodation teams and service delivery partners, helping facilities services work around students’ lives. Whether it is coordinating maintenance around term dates, supporting move-in day, communicating upcoming works or responding to concerns, the goal is always the same: create a positive, supportive experience.
With a background in public service, construction and education, I understand the challenges students can face while living away from home. Every interaction is a chance to improve the resident experience. That means spotting issues early, working closely with engineering teams and preventing problems before they disrupt students, so spaces stay safe, reliable and ready for campus life.
Being visible, approachable and empathetic on-site matters. Students want to feel heard and informed, especially when work might affect their routine. By building trust, keeping communication open and making engineers familiar faces on campus, facilities management becomes a service that supports student wellbeing rather than simply operating in the background.
As universities place greater emphasis on student satisfaction and welfare, facilities management must evolve with them. Creating environments where students can thrive takes more than efficient buildings: it takes people-focused services built around community, comfort and care.”
