Learning Resources

Supporting Neurodiversity in Higher Education

When Every Space Counts

By: Kathleen Kelly, MBA, AIA, LEED A+P

By integrating several unique campus voices, we can realize that unassignable space is highly valuable to the neurodivergent campus occupant.

From Volume 51 Number 4 | July–September 2023

Abstract: While universities have long been bastions of intellectual diversity, they are now embracing a broader understanding of diversity that extends beyond race, gender, and socioeconomic background. Neurodiversity, a concept celebrating the natural variations in human neurological functioning, is gaining prominence as an essential aspect of fostering a truly inclusive educational environment.

Institutions Mentioned: University of Cincinnati-Main Campus, University of Southern Denmark, Syracuse University, University of California-Berkeley, University of Washington-Seattle Campus, University of Toronto-Downtown Toronto (St. George), Rutgers University-New Brunswick
Planning Types: Campus Planning
Tags: Accessibility, Diversity Equity and Inclusion (DEI), Facilities Design, Facilities Planning, Health and Wellness, Informal Learning Environments, Space Assessment

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Conference Recordings

Published
May 14, 2021

2021 Pacific Regional Conference | April–June 2021

Student Success

Define It, Support it

By: Linsey Graff, DLR Group | Meaghan Smith, California State University Office of the Chancellor | Piya Bose, CSU Long Beach | Melissa Soto, California State University - Long Beach | Kelley Ross, The Miller Hull Partnership, LLP | Walt Kanzler, University of California San Diego | Michelle Mckelvey, Thrive and Transfer Center, University of Arizona

In this session, we'll share how institutions have made changes in their metrics, planning and design strategies, and campus facilities that contribute to recruitment, academic growth, and graduation rates.

Abstract: The pandemic has exposed and added to the vulnerabilities that students face. It has also impacted how institutions serving underrepresented students are working to redefine student support in an evolving campus environment. In this session, we'll share how institutions have made changes in their metrics, planning and design strategies, and campus facilities that contribute to recruitment, academic growth, and graduation rates. Join us for an interactive discussion about student success strategies and learn new approaches for meeting returning students' needs, including hybrid learning, flexible learning spaces, and the importance of representation, inclusivity, safety, and wellness.

Institutions Mentioned: California State University-Chancellors Office, California State University-Long Beach, University of California-San Diego, San Diego Community College District, University of Arizona
Planning Types: Campus Planning
Tags: Facilities Design, Facilities Planning, Flexible Learning Spaces, Health and Wellness, Learning Environments, SCUP 2021 Pacific Regional Conference

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Conference Recordings

Published
September 25, 2020

2020 Pacific Regional Conference | August–October 2020

Adapting the Campus

Thoughtful Planning + Re-Shaping Physical Space in Real-Time

By: Lakshmi Chilukuri, University of California, San Diego | Walt Kanzler, University of California, San Diego | Robert Clossin, University of California, San Diego | Thom Greving, HKS | Upali Nanda, HKS

We will share how The University of California, San Diego (UCSD) is navigating the fall semester and its overall vision for the campus, including opening a living and learning neighborhood to enhance student life and success in the midst of the pandemic.

Abstract: The University of California, San Diego (UCSD) is implementing its Long Range Development Plan (LRDP) to transform the physical environment into a premier destination for students, patients, faculty, staff, and the community. While this vision remains intact, the pandemic has tested campus resiliency. We will share how UCSD is navigating the fall semester and its overall vision for the campus, including opening a living and learning neighborhood to enhance student life and success in the midst of the pandemic. Come learn about this project’s guiding principles, research-based design, lessons learned, and best practices for adapting to a changing environment.

Institutions Mentioned: University of California-San Diego
Planning Types: Campus Planning
Tags: COVID-19, Facilities Design, Facilities Planning, Learning Environments, Response Planning, SCUP 2020 Pacific Regional Conference

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Webinar Recordings

Published
September 17, 2020

Out of the Fire and Into the Future

Insights on Essential Planning Strategies Post COVID

By: Pete Zuraw, Vice President, Market Strategy and Development, Gordian (Moderator) | Michael McCormick, Associate Vice President Asset Management and University Architect, University of Washington | Mina Amundsen, Assistant Vice President, Facilities and Capital Planning, Colby College

The integrative process of short-term planning during the pandemic effectively brought together academic, financial, and physical planning, and presents a unique opportunity to continue work across traditional planning silos. Explore new planning modes being used during this crisis and their long-term application.

Abstract: Higher education has been responding in crisis mode since spring and racing toward an entirely new kind of academic year this fall. How can we turn this experience into productive new strategies for planning and leadership?

Existing siloed decision making would not have allowed for a successful response to the rapidly changing conditions brought on by the pandemic. The integrative process of short-term planning effectively brought together academic, financial, and physical planning, and presents a unique opportunity to continue work across traditional planning silos and modes of learning and living.

Institutions Mentioned: University of Washington-Seattle Campus, Colby College
Planning Types: Campus Planning
Tags: COVID-19, Response Planning

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Webinar Recordings

Published
June 8, 2020

Campuses Learning From Each Other

By: Co-Host and Moderator: Rena Cheskis-Gold, Principal and Founder, Demographic Perspectives | Co-Host and Panelist: Laura Pirie, Principal and Founder, Pirie Associates | Panelists: Michael Perez, Associate Vice Chancellor, Vanderbilt University; Jennifer Stone, Partner, Robert A.M. Stern Architects; Pam Schreiber, Assistant Vice President for Student Life and Executive Director, Housing & Food Services, University of Washington

COVID-19 has left universities overwhelmed and struggling to rapidly shift to new ways of operating Focusing on the interactions between people, policy, facilities, and technology is more important than ever on campuses. Colleagues from Demographic Perspectives and Pirie Associates, in affiliation with SCUP, discussed the challenges, priorities, solutions, and opportunities to change the way campuses operate for the future.

Abstract: COVID-19 has left universities overwhelmed and struggling to rapidly shift to new ways of operating effectively. Focusing on the interactions between people, policy, facilities, and technology is more important than ever on higher education campuses. The short-term solutions colleges are now implementing need to be embraced as lessons for the long-term. What can we learn from others working in and with higher education? What are the challenges, priorities, and solutions and, where are the opportunities to change the way campuses operate for the future?

Institutions Mentioned: Vanderbilt University, University of Washington-Seattle Campus
Planning Types: Campus Planning
Tags: COVID-19, Response Planning

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Conference Presentations

Published
July 14, 2019

2019 Annual Conference | July 2019

Planning Pathways to Carbon Reduction

By: Neal Matsuno, Chris Rhie, R. Umashankar, David Weil

Abstract: Nationally, many campuses are finding innovative pathways to achieving carbon neutrality that are feasible enough for others to build on. We will share how two universities charted paths to carbon neutrality and have become living laboratories where new ideas can be tested, refined, and prototyped. This session will provide tools and techniques to comprehend a campus's carbon profile, set carbon reductions goals, and explore alternative solutions to carbon-intensive practices in campus and space planning, infrastructure, and operations.

Institutions Mentioned: University of California-Riverside, University of California-San Diego
Planning Types: Campus Planning
Tags: Carbon Neutral, Energy Infrastructure, SCUP 2019 Annual Conference, Sustainability (Environmental)

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Creating a Sense of Community on Urban College and University Campuses

Implications for Planning and Design

By: Peter A. Bacevice, Bennet Dunkley

Urban campuses have unique planning and design challenges when it comes to creating a sense of place that reflects both their global ambitions and local commitments to a variety of stakeholders.

From Volume 47 Number 1 | October–December 2018

Institutions Mentioned: Fordham University, CUNY Brooklyn College, Loyola University Chicago, New York University, Case Western Reserve University, University of Washington-Seattle Campus
Planning Types: Campus Planning
Tags: Urban Campus

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P3 Performance for Higher Education

By: Nic de Salaberry, Ryerson University

This is a SCUP Fellow Research Project Final Report for the 2016–2017 program. The researcher’s intention was to better understand P3 models and learn how they have performed, possibly generating some useful lessons for how P3 models can be applied with desired outcomes.

Abstract: Public-Private Partnership (“P3”) procurement models for built infrastructure serving higher learning institutions started to gain attention in North America in the late 1990s—mostly as an alternative approach to adding student housing at select universities and colleges. More recently, P3 models have been applied to a diverse range of higher learning projects, with some serving core academic and research functions.

Although many institutions are considering P3 approaches among their options to address emerging pressures to expand or update their facilities, their implementation is not yet common. The researcher’s intention was to better understand P3 models and learn how they have performed, possibly generating some useful lessons for how P3 models can be applied with desired outcomes.

Institutions Mentioned: Sheridan College Institute of Technology and Advanced Learning, University of Toronto-Scarborough, Drexel University, Ohio State University-Main Campus, York University-Keele Campus, University of Washington-Seattle Campus, University of California-Merced, Emily Carr University of Art and Design
Planning Types: Campus Planning
Tags: Original Research, Public-Private Partnerships (P3)

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Campus Chapels Make A Comeback: Planning for the Adaptive Reuse of Campus Chapels

Campus heritage, a growing interest in spirituality among multidenominational students, the need for multiple use of student spaces are fueling a closer look at campus chapels. This article takes a look at those factors and issues to be addressed in the renovation and reuse of such buildings.

From Volume 33 Number 3 | March–May 2005

Abstract: Campus chapels once bespoke a school’s curriculum, defined the student body, contributed to ambiance, and served as a recruitment tool for parents looking to religion to influence their children’s character. As schools strayed from their religious roots, encountered pressing program needs, and faced funding concerns, many of these rarely used buildings fell into disrepair. In the last few years, efforts to preserve an institution’s heritage, maximize space, and address spirituality have led schools to consider restoring and reusing campus chapels. This article focuses on keeping the chapel’s original design intent while capitalizing on its strengths to upgrade the building and supplement its usage.

Institutions Mentioned: College of William and Mary, Tufts University, University of Mount Union, Wellesley College, Babson College, Bowdoin College, Harvard University, Yale University, University of Vermont, University of Pennsylvania
Planning Types: Campus Planning

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Research Space: Who Needs It, Who Gets It, Who Pays for It?

By: Ira Fink

An overview of research space management in the United States, based on interviews with senior administrators, Internet documents, and the authors’ vast experience, identifies important trends that need attention.

From Volume 33 Number 1 | September–November 2004

Abstract: Today, the amount of space devoted to research at research universities exceeds that of classrooms and class laboratories. This research space portfolio presents important policy and management challenges. As stewards of this portfolio, universities must address issues of funding the construction of research facilities, equipping and maintaining them, allocating and accounting for space used for research, and managing, in broadest terms, the physical and administrative infrastructure in which research is conducted. As this article illustrates, managing the balance between the growing demand for and the supply of research space is complicated. To address the issues of research space, universities have developed a variety of space management methods to fit their unique research missions, priorities, and operational culture. This article provides important insights into this little studied aspect of higher education space planning. The article is an overview of research space management across the U. S. on general campuses and in health science centers. It is based on interviews with senior administrators in selected research universities conducted specifically for this study, information about research space management available on university documents on the Internet, and on the work of Ira Fink and Associates, Inc. in programming research facilities on a multitude of campuses nationwide.

Institutions Mentioned: University of Arizona, University of California-Los Angeles, University of Pittsburgh-Pittsburgh Campus, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Duke University, Carnegie Mellon University, University of California-Berkeley, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, University of Washington-Seattle Campus, University of California-San Diego, University of Iowa, Massachusetts Institute of Technology

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