Oberlin College in Ohio recently undertook a building-by-building survey of its entire physical plant, emerging with plans to recycle 17 campus structures. (Author)

College buildings, interiors, furniture, spaces, landscaping, and equipment express what the college stands for, what it cares most about, and how it views the intellectual and aesthetic enterprise. Well-designed and well-built physical facilities, especially those that are distinctive, should be a more recognized force in any college's enrollment…

The best approach to initiating a facility renewal and replacement program is to: identify the nature and scope of the institution's facility needs; justify them in terms of programs, operations, and priorities; develop an action plan and communicate it to constituencies and funders; and identify a funding source or sources. (MSE)

A program is underway at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology to make campus facilities more useable for physically handicapped and blind students. In particular, special campus maps containing information of interest to the handicapped are described. (JG)

Colleges and universities should pursue a long-term strategy designed to maintain the value of plant assets to the ongoing program of the institution. Methods for anticipating and funding the expenditure levels needed to reach this goal are reviewed. An approach based on financial equilibrium concepts is suggested. (Author/MLW)

A formula for funding building renewal, it is suggested, must be responsive to two different sets of factors: those relating to the buildings themselves, and those related to the political arena in which renewal funding takes place. A formula for an individual building involving simple mathematical calculations is provided. (MLW)

The last of seven articles that address the alternatives availablee to institutions of higher education in meeting the space needs of new programs and new attitudes, as well as a wider constituency, without resorting to new building. A review of general approaches to restructure campus housing is supplemented by examples selected from 10 indepth…

Describes some of the problems that student rejection of traditional campus residence halls has created at colleges and universities. Offers some solutions. (Author/MF)

Campus chapels once bespoke a school's curriculum, defined the student body, contributed to ambiance, and served as a recruitment tool for parents looking to religion to influence their children's character. As schools strayed from their religious roots, encountered pressing program needs, and faced funding concerns, many of these rarely used…

Between the master plan of a college campus and design of single buildings is the neglected province of "microplanning" small campus spaces. Such planning is guided by campus finances and institutional academic needs; knowledge of the distinctive tradition of American campus planning; and understanding of the particular institution's…

It is recommended that colleges and universities considering building renovation or new construction first conduct a feasibility study to uncover existing conditions, avoid potential problems, explore design options, and determine comparative costs. A seven-step process for such a study is outlined. (MSE)

An approach to campus planning and renewal during declining enrollment is described. The process uses computer programing to integrate seven factors: building suitability to program, schedule, existing commitments, cost, effect on general use spaces, campus planning compatibility, and disturbance of current assignments of units not in the study.…

Strategies for dealing with preservation of historic buildings on college campuses, both architecturally distinguished structures and buildings that are part of a historically important area, are discussed. The rationale for preservation efforts, new trends and considerations in preservation, and master planning and costs are examined. (MSE)

Results of a survey of planners at 133 colleges and universities in the United States and Canada are summarized. The study gathered information on (1) which problems tend to get solved, and which do not; (2) factors contributing to success in planning; and (3) planners' suggestions for improving the planning process. (MSE)

The article addresses the design of college student housing including whether to renovate existing dormitories or build new ones, possible floor plans, size of student residential groups, room size, methods of handling noise, the design of common spaces, provision of storage space, design of eating places, and overall planning. (DB))