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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Voices from the Field: Episode #8

Normal Business Doesn’t Stop: Maintaining Operations while Expanding Services

By: Rick Miranda, Provost and Executive Vice President, Colorado State University

Colorado State University Provost and Executive Vice President Rick Miranda shares what his team learned during their COVID-19 response: upgrading their teams’ ability to communicate regularly was what kept things moving forward, allowing critical everyday elements to proceed without interruption.

Abstract: In response to COVID-19, Colorado State University beefed up its online systems, created specialized pandemic teams, and built a robust website with information for teachers, students, workers, and researchers. Learn from Provost and Executive Vice President Rick Miranda what they also discovered: upgrading their teams’ ability to communicate regularly was what kept things moving forward, allowing critical everyday elements to proceed without interruption.

Institutions Mentioned: Colorado State University-Fort Collins
Planning Types: Continuity Planning
Tags: Communication, COVID-19, Online Learning, Response Planning

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Conference Presentations

Published
October 28, 2019

2019 North Central Regional Conference | October 2019

Go Fast, Go Slow

Planning Early for Zero Net Energy

By: Amanda Bogner, Daniel Overbey

This session outlines a process for leveraging energy modeling early to gauge and clarify zero net energy (ZNE) feasibility and articulating the value proposition of high-performance design leadership. Come learn how to set meaningful energy targets, identify crucial design decisions, and demonstrate to stakeholders that setting ZNE goals is vital during procurement.

Abstract: Zero net energy (ZNE) is a formidable goal and one that is not easily grafted onto a project once the design is in progress. We will explain why it is necessary to evaluate ZNE opportunities before the request for proposal. This session outlines a process for leveraging energy modeling early to gauge and clarify ZNE feasibility and articulating the value proposition of high-performance design leadership. Come learn how to set meaningful energy targets, identify crucial design decisions, and demonstrate to stakeholders that setting ZNE goals is vital during procurement.

Institutions Mentioned: Indiana University-Bloomington, Grand Valley State University, Colorado State University-Fort Collins
Planning Types: Campus Planning
Tags: Facilities Planning, Sustainability (Environmental), Zero Net Energy (ZNE)

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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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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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