Dive Brief:
- While housing contracts often explicitly forbid students from renting out their dorm rooms, the promise of quick cash from Airbnb is causing problems on some campuses.
- The Chronicle of Higher Education reports that the Association of College and University Housing Officers - International has noticed growing concern among student affairs administrators over the safety risks of such short-term rentals.
- Emerson College sophomore Jack Worth is facing possible disciplinary action for renting out his room, and other colleges are reviewing housing contracts to make sure they ban the practice — but higher education institutions are finding the service helpful to advertise rental opportunities of their own.
Dive Insight:
Policing Airbnb for listings may sound tedious to student affairs staff members, but the danger is real when travelers are helped into college dorm rooms for short-term stays. Violent hosts and renters have made it into the news amid a range of Airbnb horror stories. Making sure housing contracts specifically prohibit sublets is a good start, and administrators might consider stressing the point during orientation activities. The digital-age service may have its downsides for colleges and universities, but Airbnb does offer an opportunity for campuses looking to turn empty dorms into revenue sources when classes are not in session.