Abstract:

It has been observed that one significant problem facing the higher institutions in Nigeria is the declination in the performance of the students. Studies have been carried out by several researchers to ascertain the cause of the declining performance and drop outs that is gradually becoming a norm. The phenomenon has been identified as low level of students’ retention. In order for higher institutions to improve the students’ retention, the act of rethinking the environment can enhance and improve the students learning. If higher institutions campus experience by creating environments for speedy integration coupled with the provision of academic advisors. This study brings to focus affordable student center as a medium for student campus integration which would present a creative environment for improving student enthusiasm about schooling, simultaneously improving performance. Therefore, the core of this study is to investigating the decline of students’ performance and drop out in order to establish a sustainable and cost effective higher education environment. The findings show that students’ retention can be improved upon, through the provision of affordable and sustainable student centers in the higher institutions. This paper concludes that if the capacity of an institution is to improve a student’s enthusiasm, then a sustainable and affordable environment would contribute and determine the rate of student retention.

Keywords:

Rethinking, environment, affordable, sustainable, higher education.