Twenty years ago, mobile technology rarely made an appearance in university dormitories. Today, technology anchors both private and communal spaces in student housing. New developments depict the rapid advancements—and changing expectations–around mobile technology in the industry. Connectivity The 2017 NAA Student Housing Conference tackled the concept of wireless connectivity in university residences. Student housing should accommodate internet speeds of at least 25 MB per student per second, proposed Faith Hawks, AIA, LEED AP, Principal, at Marks Thomas Architects. That may seem excessive at first until you consider just how much bandwidth the average student consumes. Hawks explains that students are now using an average of 10 Wi-Fi devices—at once. In addition to the expected devices such as a smartphone and laptop, many students also use a tablet, smart TV, gaming consoles, smart DVD/blue ray player, and wireless speakers. Students even strap Wi-Fi ready devices to their bodies with wearables like activity monitors and smart watches. Pile those devices on top of smart home features such as Nest-style thermostats and virtual personal assistants, and it quickly becomes clear why 25 MB per student per second is not unrealistic. Even when not actively in use, many programs run in the background issuing updates and exchanging data between devices. But the biggest drains on bandwidth come from streaming videos and gaming. Neither is particularly educational, but both are an integral part of the student life experience. Shared Spaces Outside of their apartments, students’ technology expectations do not diminish. Tech rich communal spaces, including charging stations and smart boards, prove to be a strong selling point for properties. In Rethinking Student Housing Interiors, Rick Reid of HPA Design Group explains, “To be competitive in today’s market means attracting students by providing them with housing they can relate to;...