Abstract
Student halls and their convenient facilities have been a focal point for various student activities at university campus. It has been for most of the student a place of unique memories and of attachment often associated with those good and bad school days. However, it is questionable whether these facilities are supportive and accessible for all of the students and other users including the handicapped. Therefore, based on the concept of UD(universal design) which was widely applied to U.S. institutions, this study intended to evaluate student hall facilities in U.S. and to provide an improvement direction for Korean UD application. For that purpose, four universities were selected for an in-depth analysis and 76 survey indices were utilized based on previous research. It was found that (1) design consideration without braille sign for VIP(visually impaired person) in student buildings can be differently approached with electronic devices; (2) the best demonstration of UD in student buildings can be seen in spacious flat pathway, easy access through ramp and wide entry area, necessary for people in wheel-chairs, but used by all, implying an increase of the ratio of public space; (3) one of the good UD features is an attractive physical environment rather than institutional appearance, in which they ultimately will support and completely adaptable at optimal levels by everyone; (4) consistent maintenance and management maximize the potential of UD principles and minimize physical limitations.