The ecosystem approach to environmental assessment of college residence halls asks students to identify issues they feel strongly about, and to recommend action the university might take to enhance or rectify a situation. This approach was used to examine life in the undergraduate residence halls at Indiana University. A forced-choice questionnaire assessing students' perceptions of residence hall programs, staff responsiveness to student needs, student government, printed matter and information, study conditions and order, and food service, was completed by 785 dormitory residents. Respondents had the opportunity to go back through the questionnaire and identify items they felt strongly about (positively or negatively) and indicate how these situations could be enhanced or changed. Residence hall programs and residence hall staff were evaluated very positively. Students approved of available services and felt they had an opportunity to participate in student government. They indicated they have adequate information and that publications meet their needs. They reported study conditions in the dormitories needed improvement. Responses to the new universal meal ticket program were positive. Comparison of results of previous studies of residence hall life from 1978-1983 indicate the residential experience is improving each year for students. The survey instrument is appended. (JAC)