TRS Research Seminar by Dr. Kiana Basiri

Title: On-Campus Living's Impact on Academic Performance and Student Satisfaction: Evidence from Toronto University Students

Description: Many urban universities provide on-campus housing, but the amount of student housing available is limited and is usually unaffordable for the majority of the students living in the city, leading most students to live off-campus with long commutes. This study, based on 700,000 student records covering eleven years in a metropolitan city, examines on-campus housing benefits. This analysis is complemented by single-year, self-reported data on student satisfaction, off-campus living situations, and commuting time. The results from a fixed-effects panel data model show positive effects on GPA, particularly for first-year students. This effect is more pronounced for students with lower grades. Off-campus living and commuting significantly affect students’ satisfaction. We argue that the unaffordability of on-campus housing creates housing stress, disengaging students from university activities and impacting their overall satisfaction. The study emphasizes the need for universities to address housing challenges to enhance student experiences and bridge the disparities between on- and off-campus living conditions.

Bio: Dr. Kiana Basiri is an Assistant Professor in the Real Estate Management program at the Ted Rogers School of Management. Her research focuses on the use of econometrics tools to understand the relationship between housing and credit markets. Her research centers around Real Estate Economics, Housing Policy, Household Finance, Consumer Bankruptcies, and Default. She received her Ph.D. in Applied Economics from HEC Montreal.