In just a few turbulent weeks, the entire U.S. higher education system changed. Campuses are empty and students have been thrust into digital substitutes of the college campus experience. So, what kind of lasting change will this have?

As part of HMC’s ongoing research effort to better understand the longterm effects of COVID-19 and develop solutions for these institutions, we spoke with higher education clients, students, contractors, and consultants to gain insight and understanding of short-and long-term impacts of COVID-19 on facility design and operation for college campuses and universities.

HMC is committed to sharing our findings with the industry in a series of white papers that focus on five main areas of Technology, Adaptability and Flexibility, Regulatory/Budgetary/Institutional Impacts, Space Needs Restructuring, and Impact to Wellness/Mental Health. In this paper, we cover our findings on the regulatory, budgetary, and institutional impacts this pandemic is having on the higher education sector.