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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You Belong Here

Plan for and Design Diverse, Equitable, and Inclusive Campus Spaces

By: Shannon Dowling, MArch, AIA, LEEDAP

Many marginalized student populations don’t see themselves as higher education material. Creating places on campus that reaffirm to them that they belong is vital.

From Volume 51 Number 1 | October–December 2022

Abstract: When carefully considered and thoughtfully planned, physical campus space has the power to reinforce an institution’s values around diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging.

Institutions Mentioned: Virginia Commonwealth University, North Carolina State University at Raleigh, Ryerson University, Chapman University, Bennett College
Planning Types: Campus Planning
Tags: Active Learning Environments, Diversity Equity and Inclusion (DEI), Facilities Design, Facilities Planning, Health and Wellness, Informal Learning Environments, Landscape / Open Space, Learning Environments, Original Research, Placemaking, Student Experience, Underserved Students

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Planning Diverse, Equitable, and Inclusive Campus Environments

By: Shannon Dowling

Student-centered insights on the design of formal learning environments and informal study and lounge spaces can help campuses increase the sense of belonging and improve learning outcomes for underrepresented students. The author is a SCUP Fellow for the 2020–2021 program. Read her full research project final report which infuses student-centered research into a playbook that can guide universities and design teams through key DEI strategies for planning, designing, and assessing physical campus space.

Institutions Mentioned: Virginia Commonwealth University, Virginia Union University
Planning Types: Campus Planning
Tags: Accessibility, Diversity Equity and Inclusion (DEI), Facilities Design, Facilities Planning, Health and Wellness, Informal Learning Environments, Learning Environments, Original Research, Space Assessment, Student Experience, Underserved Students

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The Planning and Design of Diverse, Equitable and Inclusive Campus Environments

By: Shannon Dowling, MArch, AIA, LEEDAP

This is a SCUP Fellow Research Project Final Report for the 2020–2021 program. Space is not neutral; we perceive physical environments differently based on our backgrounds, experiences, and abilities. This new, research-based playbook can guide universities and design teams through key strategies and possible metrics relative to DEI to use when planning, designing, and assessing physical campus space.

Abstract: Space is not neutral; we perceive physical environments differently based on our backgrounds, experiences, and abilities. Every student brings a unique perspective to campus, and therefore every campus will have individual needs.

This research project collected a body of evidence around student preferences for welcoming and inclusive physical campus environments, sourced from engagements with more than two dozen institutions and more than 200 students. The author used these findings to develop a playbook to guide institutions and design teams through key strategies and possible metrics relative to DEI to use when planning, designing, and assessing physical campus space. The playbook serves as a conversation starter—a way to get planners, designers, and institutional stakeholders to the table and move the needle toward a more supportive physical environment that embodies the strategic values of DEI.

Institutions Mentioned: Virginia Commonwealth University, Virginia Union University, University of Richmond
Planning Types: Campus Planning
Tags: Diversity Equity and Inclusion (DEI), Facilities Planning, Health and Wellness, Informal Learning Environments, Landscape / Open Space, Learning Environments, Original Research, Placemaking, Space Assessment, Student Experience, Student Housing, Underserved Students

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Conference Recordings

Published
March 11, 2021

2021 Mid-Atlantic Regional Conference | March 2021

Reaping the Benefits of a New Building? Without Building New

By: Jennifer Amster, EYP | Laura Berman, Rutgers University | Justin Shultz, EYP Architecture & Engineering

In this session, we'll demonstrate how to renovate your campus spaces to maximize programming and performance, using a planning approach that addresses the unique challenges of modernizing existing buildings, accommodating future-focused programming needs, and minimizing operational costs.

Abstract: Owing to the pandemic's economic impact, campus budgets are facing greater challenges to recruit students and meet expectations for state-of-the-art spaces. In this session, we'll demonstrate how to renovate your campus spaces to maximize programming and performance. We've integrated key aspects of high-performance design into a planning approach that addresses the unique challenges of modernizing existing buildings, accommodating future-focused programming needs, and minimizing operational costs. Come learn about a process that will help you consider the highest use of all resources through a variety of lenses and work with stakeholders on your campus to develop a common vision.

Institutions Mentioned: Rutgers University-New Brunswick
Planning Types: Campus Planning
Tags: COVID-19, Engaging Stakeholders, Facilities Design, Facilities Planning, Learning Environments, Renovation, SCUP 2021 Mid-Atlantic Regional Conference, Space Assessment, Space Management

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Published
March 10, 2021

2021 Mid-Atlantic Regional Conference | March 2021

Keynote | VCU | Social Unrest in the Midst of a Pandemic . . . Now What?

By: Jeffrey Eastman, Virginia Commonwealth University | Jessica Hurley Smith, Virginia Commonwealth University | Keith Van Inwegen, Virginia Commonwealth University

Join us to discuss how VCU changed its planning strategies and built campus environment to simultaneously address a public health crisis and calls for social reform.

Abstract: When the pandemic forced students, faculty, and staff off campus in March 2020, Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) had just begun initial investments to implement the first phases of its recently completed master plan. What impacts would the pandemic have on the master plan, space planning, and the delivery of VCU's core mission? While VCU adapted and planned for a return to campus, Richmond became a center of social unrest with protests throughout VCU's campuses. Join us to discuss how VCU changed its planning strategies and built campus environment to simultaneously address a public health crisis and calls for social reform.

Institutions Mentioned: Virginia Commonwealth University
Planning Types: Campus Planning
Tags: Campus Master Planning, COVID-19, Modifying the Plan, SCUP 2021 Mid-Atlantic Regional Conference

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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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Strategic Planning Responses to the Pandemic

By: Host: Debi McDonald, FAIA, NCARB, LEED AP Co-Chair, BSA/SCUP College + University Roundtable | Moderator: Pete Zuraw, Vice President, Market Strategy and Development, Gordian | Presenters: Jean Robinson, Associate Vice Chancellor, Facilities Management, University of Massachusetts-Lowell; Dave Proulx, Senior Vice President, Finance & Administration, Rhode Island School of Design

In this webinar, Jean Robinson from University of Massachusetts-Lowell and Dave Proulx from Rhode Island School of Design share how their campuses have been planning for this fall, and reflect on the impacts today’s urgent decision making could bring to the future campus.

This is part of the series “Less Talk, More Action: Tactical Topics to Return to Campus.”

Abstract: With the entire academic community scrambling to establish what higher education looks like this fall, planning has been even harder than usual. And yet the pandemic opens opportunities to consider an entirely new set of choices previously unavailable to those guiding their institutions forward. Each and every urgent decision being made on campus today has the potential to define an entirely new future campus. The drivers for those decisions may or may not be creating a desirable new future.d

Institutions Mentioned: University of Massachusetts-Lowell, Rhode Island School of Design
Planning Types: Campus Planning
Tags: COVID-19, Facilities Planning

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Conference Recordings

Published
March 16, 2020

2020 Mid-Atlantic Regional Conference | March 2020

Emerging Credentials

A Framework to Define and Measure the Quality of Non-degree Credentials

By: Michelle Van Noy, Associate Director, Rutgers, Education and Employment Research Center | Heather McKay, Director, Rutgers, Education and Employment Research Center

This session will discuss a conceptual framework for defining and measuring non-degree credential quality as well as policy and practice.

Abstract: Non-degree credentials are becoming increasingly common, emerging in response to the need for ongoing skills development as part of the rapidly changing economy. This session will discuss a conceptual framework for defining and measuring non-degree credential quality as well as policy and practice. Come and explore how you might integrate non-degree credentials‚ certificates, certifications, licensure, apprenticeship, and badges‚ into traditional degree programs at your institution and award academic credit for these credentials.

Institutions Mentioned: Rutgers University-New Brunswick
Planning Types: Academic Planning
Tags: SCUP 2020 Mid-Atlantic Regional Conference

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Conference Recordings

Published
March 16, 2020

2020 Mid-Atlantic Regional Conference | March 2020

Make No Little Plans

Multi-Scale Transformative Planning Implementation

By: Cooper Melton, Associate Principal, Ayers Saint Gross | Terence McCann, Director of Planning, Energy & Sustainability, Towson University | Eric Zahn, Senior Associate, Ayers Saint Gross

Master plans are more than a campus-wide tool, and with thoughtful planning and execution, institutions can craft a vision tailored to student needs related to housing, dining, and the co-curricular student experience.

Abstract: An institution's success is intrinsically linked to that of its students. High-quality living/learning spaces play a critical role in supporting student achievement, building campus community, and bolstering recruitment and retention. Master plans are more than a campus-wide tool, and with thoughtful planning and execution, institutions can craft a vision tailored to student needs related to housing, dining, and the co-curricular student experience. Using concrete examples, this session will illustrate how student experience-driven planning and creative implementation strategies can bolster student success while using institutional resources more effectively.

Institutions Mentioned: Virginia Commonwealth University, Goucher College
Planning Types: Campus Planning
Tags: Campus Master Planning, Dining Facility, SCUP 2020 Mid-Atlantic Regional Conference, Student Center / Union, Student Housing, Urban Campus

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