The development, initial standardization and substantive data of the University Residence Environment Scale (URES) is presented. The URES is a true-false perceived environment scale composed of 10 subscales (e.g., affiliation, innovation) which discriminates among the 74 student residences in the current norm group. The URES has high internal consistency, test-retest and overall profile reliability. Comparisons between dormitories and fraternities and men's, women's and co-ed dormitories are presented. The uses of the URES in the areas of program evaluation, change processes, and architectural-behavior research are discussed. (Author)