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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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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Seven Lessons in Inclusive Campus Design

Learn How the University of Kentucky Developed Its First DEI Facilities and Spaces Plan

By: Mary Anne Ocampo, MArch, MAUD | Mary S. Vosevich, MBA | Katrice Albert, PhD

Institutions are starting to grapple with histories of developing indigenous lands and the legacy of an able-bodied vernacular within campus design that continues to reinforce in-groups and out-groups.

From Volume 50 Number 3 | April–June 2022

Abstract: A global health crisis intersecting with a racial reckoning has led to a renewed commitment to reflect on complex histories and plan for more inclusive futures on many American campuses. Institutions, which benefitted from traditional hierarchies of power, are starting to grapple with histories of developing indigenous lands and the legacy of a western and able-bodied vernacular within campus design that continues to reinforce in-groups and out-groups. The authors are presently leading first-of-their-kind DEI planning initiatives; in this article they unpack how a public institution is meeting their past head-on to plan better futures.

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Fully Engaged

Integrated Planning Was Leveraged to Optimize Community Participation in the University of California, Berkeley’s Campus Master Plan

By: Caitlyn Clauson, MUP, and Marissa Cheng, MArch, AICP

The most effective master plans are those that reflect the myriad voices of the institution. Engagement should be informative, inclusive, meaningful, and fun—and should be the product of an integrated process.

From Volume 50 Number 2 | January–March 2022

Abstract: The most effective master plans are those that reflect the myriad voices of the institution. We’re finding the engagement process is fast becoming as important a product of the plan as the plan itself. Engagement should be informative, inclusive, meaningful, and fun—and should be the product of an integrated process. Leveraging the University of California, Berkeley’s Campus Master Plan as a case study, this article provides a framework for developing custom engagement strategies, and highlights examples, lessons learned, and tips for optimizing meaningful participation.

Institutions Mentioned: University of California-Berkeley
Planning Types: Campus Planning
Tags: Campus Master Planning, Communication, Community Engagement, Engaging Stakeholders, Facilities Planning, Master Plan, Planning Processes, Student Engagement, Town and Gown

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Getting in the eGame

Esports Streaming Gives the University of Kentucky a New Way to Grow Revenue and Recruit Students

By: Michael Stewart, BS, and Heath Price, MS

The University of Kentucky understood the importance of technology in preparing students for the digital world. With public-private partnerships, it sought opportunities to be an industry leader in leveraging that capacity for its students, faculty, staff, and the community.

From Volume 50 Number 2 | January–March 2022

Abstract: The University of Kentucky (UK) and the University of Kentucky Esports Club worked together to establish the University of Kentucky Esports Lounge. Students were surveyed on their gaming needs, and the resulting wish list (i.e., equipment selection, space configuration, furniture, etc.) fed into the decision-making process by all constituents. The project budget was derived by a larger construction project at the University that focused on student recruitment, community, and connection to the non-student demographic. The UK team ultimately planned and launched the custom facility to meet users’ particular needs—while finding a way for the University to produce an additional revenue stream.

Institutions Mentioned: University of Kentucky
Planning Types: Campus Planning
Tags: Facilities Funding, Facilities Planning, Mixed-Use, New Program or Department, Planning Processes, Public-Private Partnerships (P3), Recreational Facility, Shared Facilities, Student Life / Student Affairs, Technology

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Conference Recordings

Published
July 15, 2021

2021 Annual Conference | July 2021

Planning for the Virtual Learning Campus Landscape

By: Rebecca Celis, HGA | Angela Foss, Southern New Hampshire University | Noah Holm, University of Minnesota-Twin Cities | Adaheid Mestad, HGA

This session will share stories and lessons learned from two institutions regarding their campus adaptations in an effort to improve student retention.

Abstract: Understanding the human experience is essential to successfully adapting campuses for virtual learning. This session will share stories and lessons learned from two institutions regarding their campus adaptations in an effort to improve student retention. We'll showcase research findings and applications on how the switch to virtual learning during the pandemic may result in long-term adaptations to campus spaces. Come learn how you can apply the latest research to your plans for short and long-term campus adaptations to accommodate virtual learning outcomes.

Institutions Mentioned: Southern New Hampshire University, University of Minnesota-Twin Cities
Planning Types: Campus Planning
Tags: COVID-19, Facilities Planning, Higher Ed Trends, Learning Environments, Online Learning, SCUP 2021 Annual 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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Conference Recordings

Published
October 20, 2020

2020 North Central Regional Conference | October 2020

Minnesota Sustainable Building Guidelines

Improving Human Experience on Campus

By: Anna Pravinata, Principal Architect, Alliiance | Amanda Aspenson, Design Project Manager, University of Minnesota Capital Project Management | Abimbola Asojo, Associate Dean for Research, Creative Scholarship and Engagement, University of Minnesota College of Design

The University of Minnesota follows the state’s sustainable building guidelines, specifically Indoor Environmental Quality (IEQ), and uses post-occupancy evaluations (POE) to measure user satisfaction with campus buildings. In this session, we’ll demonstrate how to implement sustainability initiatives, which have a significant impact on campus building performance and by extension, user performance and wellbeing.

Abstract: The University of Minnesota follows the state’s sustainable building guidelines, specifically Indoor Environmental Quality (IEQ), and uses post-occupancy evaluations (POE) to measure user satisfaction with campus buildings. In this session, we’ll demonstrate how to implement sustainability initiatives, which have a significant impact on campus building performance and by extension, user performance and wellbeing. Establishing a system of post-occupancy evaluation can provide you with the IEQ intelligence you need for data-driven design criteria. Come learn how to design sustainable user-friendly environments and evaluate measurable facility user outcomes on your campus.

Institutions Mentioned: University of Minnesota-Twin Cities
Planning Types: Campus Planning
Tags: Facilities Assessment, Facilities Planning, Post-Occupancy Evaluation, SCUP 2020 North Central Regional Conference, Sustainability (Environmental)

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Webinar Recordings

Published
August 20, 2020

Creating a More Adaptive Institution in the Wake of COVID-19

By: Moderators: Elliot Felix, Founder & CEO, brightspot; Adam Griff, Managing Director, brightspot | Presenters: Shawna Dark, Chief Academic Technology Officer & Executive Director, Research, Teaching, and Learning, University of California, Berkeley; Cedric Howard, Vice President for Enrollment & Student Services, SUNY Fredonia; Marla Love, Senior Associate Dean of Students, Diversity and Equity, Cornell University; Rick Straka, Vice President of Finance and Administration, Minnesota State University, Mankato; Lora Strigens, Vice-President for Planning and Facilities Management, Marquette University

This interactive panel discussion will bring together different institutions’ perspectives from facilities, technology, student services, and finance to understand the impact of COVID-19 on institutions and their student experience. The discussion will be organized in three parts, each with a prompt to inform the discussion, a poll to take the pulse of the audience, and an open discussion among panelists.

Abstract: How can colleges and universities become more adaptive in the wake of COVID-19? This interactive panel discussion will bring together different institutions’ perspectives from facilities, technology, student services, and finance to understand the impact of COVID-19 on institutions and their student experience.

Institutions Mentioned: University of California-Berkeley, SUNY at Fredonia, Cornell University, Minnesota State University-Mankato, Marquette University
Planning Types: Campus Planning, Academic Planning, Resource Planning, Student Affairs Planning
Tags: Adaptable Plans, Budget / Finance, COVID-19, Learning Technology, Online Learning, Response Planning, Student Services

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Planning Types

Challenges