Campuses, Facilities, Human Resources, Infrastructure and Finances

Summary Report

Campuses, Facilities, Human Resources, Infrastructure, Finances Study Team

February 23, 2004

Membership: Susan Piros, Chair, John Anagnostopolous, Ruth Althhaus, Michael Clark, Beverly Gulley, Jayne Hileman, Sr. Margaret Mary Hinz, Paul Kolessar, Paul Matthews, John Pelrine, Michel Rabe, Donna Gasior, Communications

Overview

The Study Team has met five times and has addressed these topics: Master Planning process for the Chicago campus; Economic Impact Study of the University upon neighboring Chicago and Orland Park communities; Human Resources Development and Planning. The fourth facet of the Study Team, Finances, will be handled primarily by members of the Budget Advisory Council, a campus committee composed of the vice presidents, associate vice president and deans, directors of planning, information services, Orland Park representative, and faculty/staff representatives.

A Master Planning Process for the Chicago campus has begun with the assistance of Mr. Richard Dober of Dober, Lidsky, Craig, and Associates, Inc. Mr. Dober is a pre-eminent architect/consultant on university campuses. Mr. Dober spent two and a half days on campus observing and gathering preliminary information. He provided a report outlining initial observations and will provide a proposed planning process and study for creating an appropriate campus plan. During the next eighteen months Dr. Dober and a team of experts will provide an in-depth analysis of campus technical site details and an outline for the Master Campus Planning, mapping possibilities for the Chicago Campus in the coming decade and beyond. The overview will identify some affordable changes/improvements to the present campus that could be accomplished in the short term. This planning will entail thinking creatively about existing and future facilities that create a campus environment promoting interaction across the community and providing a welcoming environment for studying, learning and working.

Dr. Dober contributed several key ideas:

  • Create a place for people to participate in campus life.
  • Examine both outdoor and indoor spaces to achieve this goal.
  • Address the traffic pattern of both vehicles and walkers.
  • Arrange buildings to create a visual sequence.
  • Preserve the history of the institution through gateways and markers.
  • Be flexible and consider all options and alternatives.
  • Approach with reverence and respect the Founders.
  • Recognize that traditional students anticipate collegiate activities and experiences.
  • Note that adult students desire to feel like they are a part of the campus.
  • Recognize that as students become more cyber savvy, they will use more non-classroom space.
  • Note that a Campus Center is essential.

The range of questions have included:

  • What is the true capacity of the Chicago campus?
  • Do we plan to grow?
  • What type of students do we want to attract and enroll?
  • What can appropriately be moved off campus?
  • What would be the best use for the Pulaski property?
  • Should the University pursue property or facilities off campus?
  • Is it appropriate to place student housing off campus?
  • What can be done to make Warde Academic Center more conducive to a campus culture?
  • What role will the Orland Park Campus play in providing programs for students?

The University has commissioned CSL International to conduct an Economic Impact Study. Knowledge gained from a study of this nature is considered essential for building future relationships with neighboring communities in Chicago and the southwest suburban region.

The study group is also discussing Human Resources issues. The study group strongly supports ensuring a quality workforce that reflects the diversity of surrounding communities and students. The study group has expressed concern about having staff/employees who are committed to good student services. Of particular concern is the need for staff to understand how to provide services for adult learners and graduate students, as well as traditional age students. The study group plans to factor this assumption into planning activities, including gathering and analyzing staff-student ratios. The study group also discussed the important of understanding the roles of staff, faculty, and students, and the need to convey to students what is expected from them and what they will receive in return.

The Budget Advisory Council (BAC), a group that meets regularly to prepare multi-year budget estimations, will primarily address Finances. The BAC will play an important role in the setup of unit-level budget/planning processes in the coming years. The BAC will examine institutional financial indicators.

The Study Team is also engaging in benchmarking using IPEDS data and national surveys to compare this University with institutions across the country.