ABSTRACT
University campus academic facilities layout is an important but usually ignored variable determining the
academic environment. This study investigated undergraduate on-campus students’ perception of the locations of the University of Calabar’s lecture halls and the academic implications. A descriptive study entailed the administration of a closed-ended questionnaire to 318 on-campus undergraduate students. Using the Yamane formula, sample size was calculated, and random sampling used to distribute the questionnaire. The response data collected included various elements, such as participants’ demographics, their distance perceptions to the lecture rooms, their transportation modes, economic consequences of their transportation, as well as their concerns regarding the level of noises around the lecture areas. Statistical analysis, in the case of study, was carried out by the use of ANOVA in order to evaluate the differences in the perceived distance between the lecture venues and the students’ residential areas, while Chi-Square tests were carried out in order to examine the connection between the lecture rooms’ sites and students’ academic performance. The results indicated that there was a highly significant difference in the distance to the lecture by various sites of the hostel, with the statistical findings indicating (F (5, 312) = 5.476, p < .05), reflecting an uneven distribution in the
distance. In addition, a remarkable 77% of the participants showed that the current location of the lecture rooms has an adverse impact both in their academic performance and in their punctuality, an aspect that was supported by the ChiSquare test findings (χ²(1) = 93.031, p < .001). The elements that were the main source of concern for the participants were the long distance they have to walk in order to attend the lecture rooms, the economic consequences related to the transportation fees, as well as high noises around the lecture areas, resulting from the traffic (44.4%) and commercial activity (35.2%). The study finds that the layout of lecture halls at the University of Calabar violates optimal service distribution and negatively affects students’
academic experience. It calls for a reevaluation of campus planning to enhance accessibility and reduce environmental issues.
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