Learning Resources

Responsive Design

Purposeful Planning Can Be Inclusive for Neurodiverse Students and Support the Well-Being of All

By: Shannon Dowling, MArch, AIA, LEEDAP, and James A. Baumann, MA

By incorporating student choice and voice into the planning and allowing autonomy in scale and adaptability, campuses can provide the environment where all students are most comfortable participating in any given activity.

From Volume 52 Number 1 | October–December 2023

Abstract: Research has shown that neurodivergent students report a lower sense of belonging and are less likely to feel welcomed, accepted, and like they belong on campus than their neurotypical peers. Considering this, a host of barriers to participation and belonging can be in effect across a college or university. While there are a few campus offices and departments that might address different aspects of these concerns independently, the most successful results occur when these groups—along with outside contractors such as design partners—work in strategic symphony.

This article is co-presented by the Association of College & University Housing Officers – International (ACUHO-I) and the Society for College and University Planning (SCUP) and is being published in publications for both organizations.

Institutions Mentioned: Colorado School of Mines, Denison University, Lewis & Clark College, Montana State University, Ohio State University-Main Campus, The State University of New York at Albany, University of Georgia, University of Oregon
Planning Types: Campus Planning
Tags: Facilities Design, Facilities Planning, Health and Wellness, Informal Learning Environments, Learning Environments, Placemaking, Student Housing

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Use Evidence to Plan Facilities That Drive Student Success

By: Elliot Felix

In this article, the author draws upon research from his book How to Get the Most Out of College to highlight the evidence that campus planners and designers can use to help drive student success.

Abstract: Colleges and universities are in the midst of a transition from an access mindset to a success mindset, and campus facilities can play a role in this shift. Institutions don’t have to guess at how—a large body of research can and should inform how we plan, design, and operate our campuses. In this article, the author draws upon research from his book How to Get the Most Out of College to highlight the evidence that campus planners and designers can use to help drive student success.

Institutions Mentioned: University of Rochester, Arizona State University-Tempe
Planning Types: Campus Planning
Tags: Diversity Equity and Inclusion (DEI), Facilities Design, Facilities Planning, Learning Commons, Learning Environments, Student Experience, Student Housing, Student Retention, Student Support Services

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Campus Historic Preservation and Adaptive Reuse

Leverage These Tools to Achieve Your Planning and Sustainability Goals

By: Meaghan Finney, MS, and Michael Patrick, M.Arch, AIA, NCARB, LEED AP

By integrating historic buildings into your campus planning, their continued reuse can help solve some of the specific challenges facing university planners today.

From Volume 50 Number 4 | July–September 2022

Abstract: Historic campus buildings are often perceived as a burden, but by integrating them into your campus planning, their continued reuse can help solve some of the specific challenges facing university planners today, specifically in the context of sustainability. There are numerous case studies that demonstrate the successful adaptive reuse of varied campus buildings as well as an undeniable body of evidence showing the benefits of such an approach in working toward carbon neutrality. As long-term stewards of their built environments, colleges and universities are uniquely positioned to realize enduring savings from investing in the energy performance of existing buildings.

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The Connected Campus

Building Long-Term Value and Agility by Connecting Offerings, Organizations and Operations

By: Elliot Felix, MArch

Campus environments play a vital role in student success. By making changes to their combination of spaces, institutions can respond to the shifts transforming higher education. Elliot Felix shares how colleges and universities can prepare for a more blended world by bringing together the digital and physical, enabling greater diversity and inclusion, and implementing flexible structures, staffing, space, and services. Sponsored Content: Knoll and brightspot strategy.

Abstract: Historic separations that defined higher education are dissolving: research is more interdisciplinary, online and on-campus learning are converging, wet and dry labs are blending, teaching and research overlap, and academia forges relationships with corporate partners. Institutions, by improving how they connect what they offer, how they are organized, and how they operate, can build value and agility to better assist their people on campus. Real-world examples in this white paper from Knoll and brightspot strategy discuss how campus spaces support student success, including how to fully use the campus; creating spaces that sustain diverse and flexible ways of working; thinking phygitally; and creating environments where today’s purpose-driven and entrepreneurial students (Gen Z) will thrive as they prepare to enter the workforce.

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Universal Design in the Age of COVID-19

Changes Are Demanding That Campuses Include All Learners

By: Greg Havens

Demographics on campuses have changed, expectations for accessibility have increased, and the COVID-19 pandemic has accelerated the need to provide inclusive experiences for all learners. Thirty years after the ADA was signed into law, much has been achieved; however, there is more to be accomplished at colleges and universities if we are to provide inclusive experiences for all learners. A renewed approach to campus planning and design, informed by the principles of Universal Design and Universal Design for Learning, and with a commitment to delivering hybridized online and in-person models of educational delivery, is needed now.

From Volume 48 Number 4 | July–September 2020

Abstract: In context of COVID-19, institutions are developing new approaches to online learning at an unprecedented pace. Looking ahead, this great experiment may offer lessons for broadening the definition of accessibility. Three decades after the Americans with Disabilities Act established minimum accessibility standards for the built environment, this moment of accelerated change presents a unique opportunity to utilize hybrid delivery models and universal design principles to rethink accessibility. Sasaki principal Greg Havens examines how continued emphasis on improvements to the physical environment, when combined with hybrid learning and services, could transform the way we plan the human-centered, accessible campuses of tomorrow.

Institutions Mentioned: Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Lincoln University of Pennsylvania
Planning Types: Campus Planning, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Planning
Tags: Accessibility, Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), COVID-19, Facilities Planning, Learning Environments, Online Learning, Underserved Students

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Permeability by Design

Fostering flow, creating connectivity, promoting creative solutions.

By: Jeanne L. Narum, Thomas Hickerson, Barbara J Speziale, and Jorge A Vanegas

Permeable spaces invite people in, encourage use, are flexible and memorable, and allow coming and going. You can infuse permeability into almost any learning space. Read how three campuses (Texas A&M University Campus, Clemson University, and University of Calgary) are using permeability in their emerging design elements.

Institutions Mentioned: Texas A & M University-College Station, Clemson University, University of Calgary
Planning Types: Campus Planning
Tags: Facilities Design, Facilities Planning, Learning Environments

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Conference Presentations

Published
March 20, 2019

2019 Mid-Atlantic Regional Conference | March 2019

Beyond Boundaries

How Living-Learning Fuses Creativity, Innovation, and the Arts

By: Joe Atkins, Greg Havens, Zebulon V. Coble, David A. Keith, Dade Van Der Werf

In this session, we will share explicit, purposeful strategies for how to administer shared academic arts and campus life programs that foster interdisciplinary inquiry.

Abstract: Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University's (Virginia Tech) Creativity and Innovation District (CID) is a trans-disciplinary nexus drawing together students, faculty, and external partners while aligning collaborative facilities, resources, tools, and technologies that will enable it to thrive as a living-learning environment. In this session, we will share explicit, purposeful strategies for how to administer shared academic arts and campus life programs that foster interdisciplinary inquiry.

Institutions Mentioned: Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University
Planning Types: Campus Planning
Tags: Facilities Planning, Innovation Center, Learning Environments, Student Housing

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Planning for Higher Education Journal

Published
January 1, 2019

Land-Grant Campuses for the 21st Century

Moving Beyond Rural and Semi-Rural Sites

By: Greg Havens

To address new population groups and respond to today’s challenges, these institutions plan spaces that also welcome urban, suburban, and remote students.

From Volume 47 Number 2 | January–March 2019

Abstract: Over their 150-year history, land-grant universities have played a tremendous and vital role in the development of the United States and the education of its people. Most of these institutions were established as the result of the Morrill Land-Grant Act of 1862. How has this mission, drafted in a much different time, held up over the years? As we move toward the third decade of the twenty-first century, many universities are evolving to better embrace changing student demographics; build industry partnerships; and reframe campus legacies to ensure that the land-grant mission still supports the needs of our times.

Institutions Mentioned: Auburn University, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Clemson University, University of Kentucky, Rutgers University-New Brunswick, University of Maine at Orono
Planning Types: Campus Planning

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Planning for Higher Education Journal

Published
October 1, 2018

Welcome to Campus

Planning for Diversity, Inclusion, and Equity

By: Caitlyn Clauson, John McKnight

Creating and sustaining a more welcoming and inclusive campus environment positions both institutions and students to succeed in a more diverse world.

From Volume 47 Number 1 | October–December 2018

Abstract: Higher education institutions, across nearly all socio-cultural cross-sections, are more diverse today than ever before. This evolution in campus demographics also coincides with the changing values, priorities, and needs of students. The bottom line for many of today’s students is clear: now more than ever, values matter when selecting a school. This article explores the programmatic and administrative responses as well as the physical planning and design opportunities associated with creating and sustaining more diverse and inclusive campus environments.

Institutions Mentioned: Connecticut College, Lewis & Clark College, University of Florida, University of Calgary
Planning Types: Campus Planning, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Planning
Tags: Diversity Equity and Inclusion (DEI), Facilities Planning, Student Demographics

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Planning for Higher Education Journal

Published
July 1, 2018

Using Positive Turbulence for Planning and Change

By: Robert Brodnick, Stan Gryskiewicz

As higher education leaders, we must take charge of our destinies and shape our industry by harnessing the forces of positive change using innovative, intentional approaches.

From Volume 46 Number 4 | July–September 2018

Abstract: Today we find our institutions barraged by the forces of change, and dutifully we respond. Over time, however, we end up molding our institutions to these forces to our own peril, and now U.S. higher education is on the ropes, so to speak. We believe education leaders should take hold of our destinies and shape our industry not by the forces of lackluster government policy, self-serving press and media, and for-profit mega corporations, but to serve true learning and personal growth. There are many tools we can use to lead change. This article introduces the concept of Positive Turbulence, an intentional, disruptive approach for positive change, to the education industry.

Institutions Mentioned: University of California-Los Angeles, Capital University, The State University of New York at Albany, Resurrection University
Planning Types: Strategic Planning
Tags: Organizational Change, Theory

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