Strategy IX
Plan for facilities and support services to allow growth.
The most critical problem in providing access is the cost of constructing
new physical facilities. Bothell and Tacoma are currently in design or
construction with plans for growth that extend beyond 2010. The adequacy
of these plans and the pace of construction must be carefully administered
to insure that growth is adequate to meet student demand. Capital
planning for the Seattle campus is guided by the General Physical
Development Plan. This plan must be agreed to by the city and
construction is limited by environmental and social impacts on the
surrounding neighborhoods such as traffic. Currently a new plan is under
development to be negotiated with the city.
A major new construction program is needed for the Seattle campus which
will significantly add to or change the current priorities of the current
University capital development plan. Cost analysis shows that facilities
such as faculty and administrative offices, laboratories, classrooms,
library space and utilities are expensive to build. Efficiencies in the
use of current facilities, and the expansion of distance learning will
have to be part of the solution. But, in some areas such as faculty
offices and teaching laboratories, we already exceed current capacity. To
provide future access, we must invest in new capital facilities, on the
Seattle campus as well as building out facilities at Tacoma and Bothell.
Recommendations
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Develop a shared responsibility model for funding capital needs to
meet enrollment demands combining: state funds, student fees and improved
space use efficiencies.
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Develop an omnibus remodeling/addition capital construction project to
selectively add classrooms and faculty office space on the Seattle campus.
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Survey classroom space controlled by departments and programs to
assess overall university space use efficiencies.
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Develop a method for managing peak demand of facilities as a tool for
more effectively balancing classroom use throughout the day and week.
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Require general assignment classroom space in all new building
projects.
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Explore opportunities to share facilities with other academic
institutions.
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Make maintenance funding a priority in the institution to keep
existing facilities in good operating condition.
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Create facilities and incentives for faculty to develop distance
learning educational packages that would minimize traditional classroom
needs.
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Continue to pursue capital project funding aggressively to develop the
full enrollment potential on our Bothell and Tacoma campuses.
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Encourage an increasing number of students to pursue study abroad,
practicum and other off campus educational experiences for one term during
their college career.
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Increase the use of summer quarter as part of the regular academic
program, following the recommendations of the Committee on Summer Quarter.
Consider ways in which Evening Degree Program can compliment or support
the regular academic program.
