ACUHO-I Award Submissions

Each year, we enjoy giving our residents a move-in gift. While brainstorming ideas for this year's giveaway, one of our professional staff members suggested an IKEA-style bag. We loved the concept and decided to expand it beyond residents by providing one to every incoming first-year student through Bearcats Bound Orientation this summer.

The bag design was inspired by the CINCY mural recently installed in one of our residence halls, making it a natural fit. Knowing many students would likely use the bag for packing and move-in, we incorporated our Pack on Wheels message on one side and included a space for students to write their name on the other. The back features a fun list of items students might carry in the bag, while the iconic ribbon handles showcase our Bearcats for Life branding.

The bags have been an instant hit. Nearly everyone who sees one asks how they can get our exclusive bag. To help manage inventory, students receive a claim ticket in their orientation materials that can be exchanged for their bag.

We begin our contract renewal campaign in the fall with a postcard mailed to residents' families over the Thanksgiving holiday weekend, to spark early conversations on "what to do next year." The content is curated for a high-level overview and a catchy headline Just before the holiday, we place a similarly designed poster on each res hall bulletin board. 

Over winter break, a four-panel mailer is designed to continue the conversation with more details, including the timeline for each stage of the renewal process. The message reminds students why they chose University Housing in the first place. The winter poster was posted over the break with the clarifying Fear of Missing Out call to action. 

The handout was available for tabling and the off-campus housing fair for one last touchpoint before the processes began in early February.

The campaign yielded great results, and we soon had a long waitlist. 

With a highly-ranked design college with a talented pool of student interior designers, University Housing has hired interior design majors who have spearheaded a number of projects to enhance residents' (and staff) experiences with impactful visuals.

Three Greek sororities collaborated with our design co-ops to create door wraps for their suites. The designers collected branding and philosophical information for the marketing graphic design team (also students) to create exterior door wraps for identity and safety messages.