New research finds campus safety extends beyond security, as Americans link well-maintained facilities, emergency readiness and real-time information to safer campuses

Company Website: https://www.accruent.com/
AUSTIN, Texas -- (Business Wire)

As colleges and universities face mounting pressure to balance aging infrastructure, limited budgets and evolving safety expectations, new research from Accruent, the leading provider of intelligent technology solutions for the built environment and an operating company of Fortive (NYSE: FTV), finds that the condition and operation of campus facilities may have implications far beyond maintenance.

According to Accruent’s new Campus Safety Confidence Gap survey, 58% of Americans say they would be less likely to attend or recommend a college or university if they learned the institution had a significant backlog of building repairs or frequently experienced facility-related disruptions. At the same time, 76% say campus safety would be extremely or very important when choosing a college for themselves or a loved one.

“For colleges and universities, safety isn’t just about the physical security of the campus — it’s about how well the institution understands what’s happening across its physical environment, prioritizes maintenance and risk, prepares for disruptions, and gives people the right information when something happens,” said Kristi Flores, CMO and CRO, International Sales, Accruent. “In a time where aging infrastructure and budget constraints plague higher-ed organizations, and their safety reputation cannot be compromised, investing in the right technology is key to connected data, informed decision making, and protection their most important assets — the campus community.”

Campus Operations Tied to Campus Safety Impression

When asked what contributes to making a college campus feel safe, respondents pointed to factors spanning facilities, security, communications and technology. Nearly all Americans (94%) say well-lit walkways, parking areas and outdoor spaces contribute at least somewhat to campus safety, while 92% say the same of clean, well-maintained buildings, and 89% cite visible security personnel.

Technology Can Underpin Campus Safety

Only 20% of respondents say they are very confident that most U.S. colleges and universities are prepared to respond effectively to emergencies such as severe weather, power outages, fires, security threats or campus lockdowns. When asked what would make them most confident that a college takes safety seriously, 43% selected well-trained staff who know how to respond during an emergency.

“Emergency preparedness can’t exist in silos,” added Flores. “It requires facilities, campus safety, IT, housing and other teams to have access to reliable information and understand both what is happening across the physical environment and how to respond. Technology can strengthen that visibility, but it has to be paired with trained people, clear processes and connected operations.”

Deferred Maintenance is a Safety Concern

Six in 10 Americans are extremely or very concerned about colleges delaying repairs to critical building systems, including heating, cooling, electrical and life-safety equipment.

When budgets are constrained, respondents also show a preference for investing in existing campuses and emergency preparedness over expansion. Thirty-two percent say colleges should prioritize emergency preparedness and communications, while 28% prioritize maintaining and modernizing existing buildings.

Real-Time Visibility Is Becoming Part of the Safety Expectation

Americans expect institutions to communicate quickly when something goes wrong. Seventy-eight percent say it is extremely or very important for colleges to provide students, employees and visitors with real-time updates during emergencies or major facility disruptions. Further, 88% would support a college using technology that monitors building conditions or occupancy to understand where people may need assistance during an emergency.

“People increasingly expect institutions to know what is happening across their campuses and communicate as situations unfold,” said Flores. “For higher education leaders, the opportunity is to connect facility data, maintenance operations and real-time visibility so they can move from reacting to disruptions to operating campuses with greater resilience and confidence.”

Survey Methodology

This research is based on a survey of 1,000 U.S. consumers aged 18 and older conducted by Dynata on behalf of Accruent in August 2026.

ABOUT ACCRUENT

Accruent is a leading provider of intelligent technology solutions that unify the built environment to connect real estate, facilities, assets and the integrated systems that power them. Accruent’s cloud-based software helps organizations simplify complexity, gain clarity and operate more productively by leveraging AI to transform data into confident decisions that improve how workplaces, workforces and assets perform. Headquartered in Austin, Texas, Accruent serves more than 5,000 customers in over 100 countries.

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Contacts:

Press Contact
Meredith Duhaime
Senior Director, Digital Experience and Global Communications
Meredith.duhaime@accruent.com

Source: Accruent