Students' perceptions of service quality levels of students housing at the large metropolitan university

The increasing attention to the provision of accessible, decent, safe and academically appropriate student housing in South Africa has led to a closer investigation of the nature and levels of quality in both on-campus and off-campus student accommodation. Nationwide, student housing management recognises that quality student housing is of great importance to both the quality of the higher education system and the success of students. In recent years, many studies in the field of service quality have been conducted within higher education. However, fewer studies have focused specifically on service quality in student housing. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the perceptions of students with regard to service quality levels in on-campus and off-campus student housing at NMMU, and to identify those service quality dimensions that need attention. A literature review was conducted to explore the meaning and nature of service and quality in student housing. It was concluded that from the different facets of service that quality, customer expectations, customer perception and customer satisfaction are important constructs in evaluating fully the levels of service quality. An amended SERVQUAL instrument comprising 41 items was used for students, in order to evaluate the service quality at on-campus and accredited off-campus student housing at NMMU. The results showed that there are significant differences in the service quality dimensions of on-campus student housing and off-campus student housing. Oncampus student housing gleaned a positive assessment for the dimensions of reliability, responsiveness, empathy and assurance. However, negative perceptions prevail with regard to on-campus infrastructural/tangible issues. The off-campus student housing fell short in a number of service-quality dimensions, including reliability, empathy, responsiveness and infrastructural/tangible issues. The assurance dimension received positive assessments for both on-campus and off-campus student housing. The study proposes that the NMMU student housing management pay attention to the shortcomings and make the desired improvements. The findings of this treatise have practical implications for student-housing managers, as they could direct their resources to improving poor service dimensions, and similarly refine marketing strategies, so that students’ needs are met in an exceptional and satisfactory manner