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Planning for Higher Education Journal

Published
July 17, 2025

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Co-Locate and Consolidate to Create Connected Campuses

Grow in Place Rather Than Add More Space Where Students Will Succeed

By: Elliot Felix, MArch

You can share spaces, support services, staffing, and technology systems within your institution and with external partners. This reduces costs while improving outcomes such as retention, graduation, and career placement rates.

From Volume 53 Number 3 | April–June 2025

Abstract: Colleges and universities have a traditional way to meet new needs. When there is a new research initiative, degree program, or student support function, institutions add space. Despite good intentions, their siloed structures, poor strategic planning, and history of continuous expansion mean that institutions adapt by adding. The result: Campuses are overbuilt and underutilized. Instead of shared spaces and seamless, supportive experiences, we’re left with sprawling campuses and spiraling costs. With enrollments, research funding, and our climate all changing, it’s time for a new model and a new mantra: Grow in place rather than add more space.

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Conference Recordings

Published
November 2, 2022

2022 Mid-Atlantic Regional Symposium | November

Reckoning with Entangled Histories

Higher Education and Slavery

By: Fanchon (Chon) Glover, College of William and Mary | Amber Hall, College of William and Mary | Samuel Hayes, College of William and Mary | Ben Carton, George Mason University | Wendi Manuel Scott, George Mason University | Cathy Pinskey, George Mason University | Dereck J. Rovaris, Sr., St. Mary's College of Maryland | Maurice Schlesinger, St. Mary's College of Maryland | Louis Nelson, University of Virginia | Alice Raucher, University of Virginia | Stephanie Wolfgang, Perkins&Will

In this symposium, four institutions will share their approaches to these complicated questions and how they’re continuing the conversation around the legacy of slavery on their campuses.
Abstract: American higher education institutions have a long, complex history with slavery that shouldn’t be ignored. Reckoning with these historical ties—from slave-owning namesakes to the enslaved laborers who constructed campus buildings—generates difficult questions for colleges and universities:
  • How do we honor those who were enslaved?
  • How do we recognize our role in the history of slavery as a means of learning from the past to guide our future?
In this symposium, four institutions will share their approaches to these complicated questions and how they’re continuing the conversation around the legacy of slavery on their campuses.

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Conference Recordings

Published
October 26, 2021

2021 North Central Regional Conference | October 2021

Rejuvenation

Investing in Existing Residence Halls for Bright Futures

By: Lynne Deninger, CannonDesign | Marisa Nemcik, CannonDesign | Alma Sealine, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

In this session, we'll provide you with practical strategies that you can apply at your institution as you explore the possibilities of renovating existing student housing facilities.
Abstract: Almost every institution has existing residence halls that they could upgrade for a fraction of the cost of building new. As institutions seek to meet student housing needs, they should consider renovating existing buildings as a viable strategy for creating state-of-the-art facilities. Taking this path can extend building life, attract students, and save capital. In this session, we'll provide you with practical strategies that you can apply at your institution as you explore the possibilities of renovating existing student housing facilities.

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Conference Presentations

Published
October 5, 2021

2021 Southern Regional Conference | October 2021

Rethinking Academic Workspaces

By: Kennard Brown, The University of Tennessee Health Science Center | Mike Carmagnola, The University of Texas at Austin | Shawn Gaither, DLR Group | Kathryn Horne, University of North Carolina at Charlotte | Krisan Osterby, DLR Group

Learn from three university panelists how to accurately assess needs, identify opportunities for improvement, and implement post-pandemic solutions for hybrid work environments on your campus.
Abstract: Physical and technological re-investments in space must produce a measurable return. Reimagining campus office and instruction space can better align capital planning with student, faculty, and staff success. As space management policies and planning shift their focus from how to where people work and learn, three university panelists will share how they're rethinking academic space to improve utilization, access, and performance. Come learn how to accurately assess needs, identify opportunities for improvement, and implement post-pandemic solutions for hybrid work environments on your campus.

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Conference Recordings

Published
October 5, 2021

2021 Southern Regional Conference | October 2021

Rethinking Research and Real Estate at UT Austin

By: Ryan Losch, Page Southerland Page, Inc. | Lawrence Speck, Page and The University of Texas at Austin | Yancey Young, The University of Texas at Austin

The J.J. Pickle Research Campus Plan marks an operational shift for the University of Texas (UT) at Austin, exploring mixed-use development and an integrated research environment to leverage a real estate asset and advance the university's mission.
Abstract: Research campuses are an increasingly important and integral part of innovative research development in higher education. By generating the right type of campus environment, institutions can foster successful partnerships with private entities. The J.J. Pickle Research Campus Plan marks an operational shift for the University of Texas (UT) at Austin, exploring mixed-use development and an integrated research environment to leverage a real estate asset and advance the university's mission. Come learn from multiple case studies, including UT Austin, and discuss the impact of environment, research focus, and governance structure on both the academic and financial success of a research campus.

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Conference Recordings

Published
June 16, 2021

2021 Mid-Atlantic Symposium | June 2021

Integrating Place and Pedagogy to Foster Active Learning

What Works

By: Jeffrey Ashley, Jefferson (Philadelphia University + Thomas Jefferson University) | Alice Donlan, University of Maryland | Shannon Dowling, Ayers Saint Gross | Kate Drabinski, University of Maryland Baltimore County | Hilary Gossett, University of Maryland | Richard Minturn, University of Virginia | John Notis, University of Virginia | Wynne Stuart, University of Virginia | Nancy Sturm, NV5 | Steven Anderson, UMBC Division of Information Technology

Planners from four universities will explore how active learning environments are evolving on their campuses, leading to more engaging learning experiences and improving student outcomes.
Abstract: Over the past year the pandemic has brought many challenges to higher education as well as opportunities to shape future learning spaces. Planners from four universities will explore how active learning environments are evolving on their campuses, leading to more engaging learning experiences and improving student outcomes. Come join us for a lively discussion about how space optimization, thoughtful furniture selection, and strategic technology implementation all contribute to the design of “the perfect active learning classroom”.

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Partner Content

Published
April 1, 2021

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Resilience in the Great Outdoors

Exploring the Future of Outdoor Learning Environments on Campus

By: Patreese Martin, AIA

Before the Fall 2020 semester, the Siebel Center for Design at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign partnered with architects and engineers to lead a virtual design charrette focused on extending the life of outdoor campus spaces as learning environments. They also reached out to schools around the country to learn about their recent experiences with these spaces.
Abstract: While adopted as a safer near-term solution, outdoor learning environments now seem likely to play a larger role in long-term planning. Schools will now use lessons learned during the pandemic to think more critically about outdoor campus space as an integral component of classroom education and to support student wellbeing. Before the Fall 2020 semester, the Siebel Center for Design at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign partnered with architects and engineers to lead a virtual design charrette focused on extending the life of outdoor campus spaces as learning environments. They also reached out to schools around the country to learn about their recent experiences with these spaces.

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Conference Recordings

Published
March 10, 2021

2021 Mid-Atlantic Regional Conference | March 2021

Centering Wellbeing and Whole Student Health on Campus

By: Lauren Shirley, VMDO Architects | Christopher Holstege, University of Virginia | Tom Roberts, University of Richmond | Bridget Weikel | Jim Kovach, VMDO Architects

Join us as we take a deep dive into three universities’ recent campus projects aimed at promoting student health and share takeaways at critical junctures of the integrated planning processes.
Abstract: Today's students are facing unique health challenges, which means that next-generation student health facilities must maximize accessibility and deepen service offerings that are attuned to student needs and behaviors. In this session, a panel featuring three different universities will discuss how they're reorganizing campus space and resources to prioritize student health and wellbeing. Mapping wellbeing onto different types of campus space is an important and timely development in campus planning. Join us as we take a deep dive into three recent campus projects aimed at promoting student health and share takeaways at critical junctures of the integrated planning processes.

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Conference Recordings

Published
October 5, 2020

2020 Southern Regional Conference | October 2020

Data-Informed Design Decisions

Budgeting Space and Dollars

By: Jessica Janzen, SmithGroup | Paul Leef, SmithGroup | Ross Johnson, The University of Texas at Austin

Come learn how data-informed design can inform your next building project, guide space allocation, and minimize the need for new construction on your campus.
Abstract: Institutions constantly struggle with space, but having the right data can drive meaningful discussions about (re)allocating space and ultimately save a campus money. Beginning with the right quantitative and qualitative data and then layering on architectural analysis and operational considerations can help you produce the best solutions for your space-related challenges. Come learn how data-informed design can inform your next building project, guide space allocation, and minimize the need for new construction on your campus.

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Conference Recordings

Published
July 20, 2020

2020 Annual Conference | July 2020

Improve Implementation and Innovation With Project Management

By: Karen Greenwalt, Director of Operations for Chief Financial Officer, University of Illinois System Offices | AJ Lavender, Assistant Director, Portfolio and Project Management, University of Illinois System Offices

We will share how University of Illinois has introduced project management tools and processes to help stakeholders implement plans and use resources more effectively.
Abstract: Often people leading the implementation of new initiatives or response plans have enthusiasm and dedication, but lack specific skills, tools, and methods necessary for success. We will share how University of Illinois has introduced project management tools and processes to help stakeholders implement plans and use resources more effectively. You'll learn how providing a defined path from idea to implementation ensures initiatives are evaluated and prioritized, resources are deployed effectively, and projects are supported correctly.

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