Physical master planning process moves forward
Archived article from Oct 19, 2001
By Douglas Frank
The long-term process of physical master planning continues to move forward with the first phase of this process, the data-assessment phase, now complete. The second phase, which will be led by the chief academic officers on each campus, is under way and is expected to be completed this academic year.
"Physical master planning is a concerted effort to tie our planning for the use of our lands and buildings to our academic strategic plan on a long-term basis," said JoAnne Jackson, senior vice president and treasurer. "The physical master planning process is expected to provide for the logical future development of the university's physical resources on all its campuses."
She added that the planning process will help Rutgers understand the current and anticipated strains on its facilities and enable the university to deal with its needs in an orderly manner. It should also help explain the university's physical needs to the external community, legislators and other funding sources utilizing data accumulated during the process.
The planning process utilizes three enrollment projection models -- sustained growth, moderate growth and market growth. Sustained growth presumes enrollments staying the same as today, moderate growth supposes modest expansion to round out specific programs on each campus, while the market model assumes Rutgers will increase enrollment in line with anticipated growth in the New Jersey high school graduating population. These models are used to develop projections of relative impact on the facilities.
Phase one, which began last February, has been completed with the assistance of Paulien and Associates, a leading facilities master-planning firm based in Denver. It includes an assessment of the historical and current status of university space and provides a quantitative analysis of space shortages among different categories of facilities based on national guidelines and compared with select public AAU peers. It reveals that Rutgers has significant needs in terms of both academic and residential-life space. This first phase did not specify placement of buildings or prioritize needs.
The second, or "visioning," phase begins this semester with the hiring of a consultant who will work with each campus's chief academic officer, in consultation with academic units, to develop the physical master plan vision. The groups will cover instructional space, research space, residence life, student space, parking and transportation, architectural/landscape/graphic design standards, infrastructure support and other space. This phase identifies the logical spatial development of physical areas.
The university will also seek input from and share its findings with surrounding municipalities, corporate partners, higher education institutions, the state planning commission, civic interest groups and the general public. Several open meetings are expected to be held for the university community and other interested persons.
The second phase, which will conclude in June 2002, will result in a document that will include long-range guidelines for space utilization, new construction and renovations to existing facilities. It will also address environmental and aesthetic issues.
The third phase of the project will identify, prioritize and fund facilities that are consistent with the first two phases. Projects might include new classroom space, laboratories, offices, student centers and recreational facilities, residence halls, parking decks and the infrastructure to support the academic plan.
Jackson said that, beginning in July 2002, this master planning will be an integral part of the planning process of the university. "The purpose behind master planning is not to cast projects in stone, because the planning is ongoing," she said. "Each year you must take a look at your physical facilities and reassess how they are being managed to support your strategic academic plan."
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