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In recent years we have made a considerable
investment in the physical facilities on campus, both in the form of new buildings,
like the campus center, and major renovation projects -- the art museum, the performing
arts center, science facilities, and student residences. In the near future, we will
continue to renovate student residences, and we will construct the new building fr
engineering and the sciences. Given the high volume of recent activity and the constrained
resources at our disposal, it is important that we study our use of space on campus,
particularly as we consider new planning initiatives. It is clear that in our current
state, we have underutilized space in some areas or buildings and increased demands
in other areas.
Two other facilities-related issues will play important roles in our future planning. While
the recent financial equilibrium plan made substantial increases in the amount
of funding available for renewal and replacement of our existing facilities over
the next decade, they are not nearly enough to meet our basic needs and to avoid
deferred maintenance. In addition, energy costs have increased significantly
during the past two years and show no signs of diminishing. The impact of this
trend will be measured in the millions of dollars in the college’s budget. Such
anticipated energy costs increase the importance of our planning efforts with regard
to space planning, energy conservation, and sustainability. Finally, we need
to ask whether our technology planning is adequate for future needs.
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Setting
the Context
Important Issues
Facing Smith
Enhancing
admissions competitiveness
Balancing
economic access with competing institutional priorities
Exploring the shape of the curriculum and intellectual
capacities
Investing in faculty development
Leveraging role as residential academic community
Examining
opportunities for
special academic programs
Articulating Smith’s
distinctive position and advantage
Enhancing philanthropic support
Improving the climate for diversity
Aligning facilities planning with strategic priorities
Next Steps in the
Planning Process
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