Area Residents Express Interest in Campus Community Project
(Posted February 12, 2007)
HUNTINGDON, PA & NEWTON, MASS. -- An impressive 54 percent of more than 700 Baby Boomers responding to a recent survey indicate interest in living in a new-concept residential \'community of active lifelong learners\' at Juniata College in Huntingdon, Pennsylvania. Juniata is an independent, 1400-student co-educational liberal arts college in central Pennsylvania.
Dr. Thomas R. Kepple, Juniata\'s President says, \"Our Board of Trustees is now reviewing the survey findings. I\'m optimistic about proceeding to the next step -- selecting a builder/developer.\"
Campus Continuum is collaborating with Juniata as part of its effort to develop a network of 55-plus Active Adult Communities tightly integrated with academic host institutions across the country. Gerard Badler, Managing Director of Campus Continuum notes, \"Based on strong consumer interest, we are enthusiastic about bringing Campus Continuum at Juniata College to fruition.\"
Highlights of the Juniata survey:
--17 percent (119) of the 700 respondents are \"very interested\" in residing at Campus Continuum at Juniata College; 37 percent (259) say they are \"mildly interested.\"
--The project is equally attractive to alumni and non-alumni of the College.
--Unlike typical retirement communities, which draw primarily from their immediate area, 60 percent of the \"very interested\" prospects for Campus Continuum at Juniata College live 100 - 500 miles from the College. 18 percent live more than 500 miles away.
--86 percent of the interested prospects are now 51 - 70 years old.
--Looking at the differences between those who express interest in living at the community versus those who do not, the main factor is whether they value the lifestyle (for example, access to courses and facilities, volunteer opportunities) that affiliation with the College offers.
--The planned community is attractive to a very diverse group in terms of education and income levels.
(To participate in the online survey: www.campuscontinuum.com/juniata).
Campus Continuum at Juniata College residents will have access to College programs and facilities, as well as seminars and programs they organize themselves. They will be encouraged to engage in volunteer opportunities on and off campus. Depending on their interests and backgrounds, some might act as tutors, mentors, or career advisors. Residents will be welcome at campus music, theater and sports events.
A Dean of Programs will coordinate events and concerns between the College and residents, develop seminars and special programs, assist in matching people with their interests, and coordinate social, volunteer, travel and educational opportunities.
The new community will offer an attractive variety of residential options with condominium or co-op ownership, plus a clubhouse with social areas and a cafe/bistro. Residents will be able to rent office space and share business services at the Juniata College Center for Entrepreneurial Leadership. (See www.jcel.biz ).
Dr. Kepple says Juniata students would benefit from the additional diversity provided by having older adults as role models on campus: \"What better way to demonstrate the value of life-long learning to our younger students than to have a living example right here on our campus?.\"
Campus Continuum is conducting a similar market assessment for a project at University of Massachusetts Dartmouth (Dartmouth, Mass.). To learn more about that community and to participate in that survey please visit www.campuscontinuum.com/umassd.
Contact April Feagley at feaglea@juniata.edu or (814) 641-3131 for more information.