Assess the social climate of university student living groups
Rudolf H. Moos & Marvin S. Gerst
The University Residence Environment Scale (URES) focuses on student-student and student-staff relationships and the organizational structure of a living group. The URES has been used widely in student living groups and in program evaluation and counseling. The Scale can also be completed by observers and other nonresidents, such as parents and student visitors. It provides accurate information about student living groups and encourages staff to become involved in program planning and design.
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| Bundle of 200 ($0.75 each) | |
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| Bundle of 300 ($0.70 each) | |
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| Bundle of 400 ($0.65 each) | |
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Translations of this instrument are available. For a complete list of translations, along with more details on our translation policy, please visit our translations index page.
About the URESS
As one of the Social Climate Scales, the University Residence Environment Scale (URES) assesses the social climate of university student living groups, such as residence halls, fraternities, sororities, & cooperative residence units. It focuses on student-student & student-staff relationships and the organizational structure of a living group. It measures: involvement, emotional support, independence, traditional social orientation, competition, academic achievement, intellectuality, order & organization, student influence and innovation.
Uses
- Assess the social climate of university student living groups, such as residence halls, fraternities, sororities, and cooperative residence units
- Compares student and staff perceptions
Applications in Program Evaluation and Clinical Contexts
- To conduct formative evaluations
- To monitor the influence of program changes
- To compare the views of different groups of individuals, such as students, resident assistants, and housing administrators
Scales
The items of the URES are grouped into ten subscales with three dimensions.
Relationship
These subscales assess the level of student involvement in the living group, the feeling of friendship and support among students in the group, and how much staff support is given to students
- Involvement
- Emotional Support
Personal Growth or Goal Orientation
- Independence and Traditional Social Orientation: These assess the emphasis on personal and social maturation
- Competition, Academic Achievement, and Intellectuality: These assess the emphasis on different aspects of academic growth
System Maintenance and Change
These subscales assess the extent to which the living group functions in a well-organized manner, the influence students have in running it, and the level of openness to change
- Order and Organization
- Innovation
- Student Influence
Research Applications and Evidence
- Describing and Comparing Living Groups
- A Typology of Student Living Groups
- The Determinants of Living Group Climate
- Impact of Student Living Groups
Inventory Booklets
Three types of forms include one hundred items to measure ten subscales.
Real Form
The items are worded as if the respondent is currently in the university residence environment.
| A. | People around here hardly ever seem to be studying. | T | F |
| B. | In this house people tend not to compete with each other. | T | F |
Ideal and Expectations Forms
Items are worded to elicit an ideal or an expected university residence environment they are about to enter.
| A. | People will hardly ever seem to be studying. | T | F |
| B. | Students will tend not to compete with each other. | T | F |
Norm Tables
- Comparing of Single Sex residences and the Coed residences
- Comparing of students and staff norms
Group Environment Scale
Correctional Institutions Environment Scale
Community Oriented Programs Environment Scale
Ward Atmosphere Scale
Classroom Environment Scale