Master Plans Benefit Future Operations

Housing

On residential campuses, student housing will comprise approximately 50 percent of the total building area. Will all resident students be housed on campus and will the percentage of resident students increase or decrease in.the future? Will the resident student population have a significant international component whose life style may be quite different from the traditional dormitory student? Will a larger number of resident students be married or older than the traditional student? What sort of living style does

The "front porch" at California Baptist College

the school want for its students and what will appeal to the students? The number of students per room, how toilet facilities will be shared, co- educational dormitories, and other types of amenities to be provided should be discussed.

Parking

An average automobile requires approximately 350 square feet of ground space to park. An average parking garage costs from $5,525 to $10,600 per space (in 1990 dollars). Parking questions are closely related to other functions on campus. How many commuting students will drive to school and when will they be coming? Will all resident students be permitted to bring cars to campus? If so, what percentage of them is likely to do so? What functions will bring people from off-campus? When will they occur? How many outsiders will attend? How many faculty, staff and school-owned vehicles will require around-the-clock spaces and how many may share spaces with others?

Funding

Assuming that the answers to the questions raised indicate the need for construction, where will the funds come from? Fundraising is a difficult and drawn-out process. It is important that the planner understand logical funding increments.

Interview fundraising consultants and perform a market study to determine the sources and magnitude of funds that may be expected. For public institutions, begin the lobbying process with the appropriate legislators and agencies to pave the way for future bond issues or appropriations.

Rethinking the process

Planning is a process of re-education on the part of the institution and education on the part of the planner. The school that recognizes the value of self-analysis and takes the time to address a question list similar to that described herein will be able to present a clear set of goals to its planner. The school, including administration, faculty, students and trustees, must define the vision to ensure that the response of the planner reflects that vision. The resulting plan and its architecture can inject excitement and renewed commitment into campus life while providing a living framework for the improvement of the physical environment.

This article originally appeared in American School & University magazine, February 1991.