The Council of University Halls of Residence in Spain, a state association that represents 125 colleges from all over Spain and 17,000 university students from 24 universities, has prepared a survey of its members to find out the situation in the sector for the course of 2021- 2022.
The occupancy level for this school year is 98.9%, close to 100% and slightly higher than the previous year, when an occupancy of 97.3% was recorded at the beginning of September. During the first weeks of this month, the majority of centers usually reach that 100%, once the enrollment of the extraordinary calls of the different Universities is finished.
In addition, in general terms, applications have increased by 12.5% on average , except in some centers, which have remained with respect to the previous year or decreased slightly. “Our reading of these figures is that both schoolboys and schoolgirls and their families continue to trust the model we offer and that it is not limited to providing accommodation,” commented Juan Muñoz, president of the association.
“Every year we work so that their university experience is full and that, apart from obtaining a degree, they develop as individuals, obtain comprehensive training and prepare in the best possible conditions for their incorporation into the labor market. In addition, our group has demonstrated their ability to adapt and respond to any eventuality “, he concludes.
Occupation by geographical areas
Among the geographical areas with the highest number of university residence halls, in the Community of Madrid, the more than 40 centers associated with the Council of University Residence Halls of Spain are at 100% occupancy , having registered an increase in the application for a place 20.6% compared to the 2021-2022 academic year.
This is the case of the university major colleges of Santiago de Compostela and Seville, also at 100% occupancy and with an increase of 10% in both cases with respect to the number of university students who have applied for a place.
Other communities that confirm 100% occupancy of their university halls of residence are Zaragoza, Navarra, the Basque Country and Salamanca, experiencing in the first two cases an increase of 35% and 15% respectively in the number of applications. The centers of the Basque Country associated with the Council of University Residence Halls registered a slight increase in demand, while in Salamanca it was maintained compared to the previous year.
In Granada, Barcelona and Valencia they are waiting for the last weeks of formalization of the registrations to hang the full poster : in the case of Granada, the centers are 95% occupied and the number of applications for a place has increased by 5%; Barcelona is at 90% occupancy and the number of applications for a place remains stable compared to previous periods; Valencia is at 96% with an increase in demand of 11%.
Covid-19 protocols for the 2021-2022 academic year
In May 2020, the Council of Residence Halls prepared a Covid 19 Recommendations Guide together with Quirón Prevention with the aim of establishing specific protocols for the sector. Although prevention measures within the centers have not changed significantly – especially with regard to interior spaces – the new situation means that some issues must be modified.
Thus, for example, among the changes that have been made in the Covid 19 Recommendations Guide, and as indicated by the health authorities, a person who presents symptoms compatible with the coronavirus is considered a suspected case even if they have received the guideline. complete vaccine. Therefore, isolation and tracking protocols are applied to this new casuistry. Other examples are found in the relaxation of protection measures (use of masks) in open spaces that allow an interpersonal distance of two meters and also in the expansion of capacity.
The expectation is that the protocol will be made more flexible in future reviews as the course progresses , as long as the health and university authorities so decide. In addition, the university major colleges are in contact with these institutions, adapting their protocols to the specific measures of each autonomous community.
