In 2001, 12 fifth-year architecture students spent a semester
studying the new campus master plan. Then they developed what
they felt was a better alternative, although it was not accepted
or used in the official plan.
Their main criticism of the official plan was that it focused
too much on classroom and office space at the expense of living
and social space. In recent years large numbers of upperclassmen,
frustrated with the restrictiveness of dorm life, have been moving
to houses and apartments off-campus. Despite this, the residence
halls remain filled to capacity and three new dorms are on the
drawing board to relieve overcrowding.
Senior administrators asked about the architecture students'
plan said they were not very familiar with it. But James Lyphout,
vice president of business operations, said a consultant's report
due this fall is expected to address the flight of upperclassmen
off-campus. He said the report is likely to suggest that alternative
living spaces be created within the dorms. These rooms would be,
in effect, reserved for upperclassmen because of the traditional
room-picks pecking order. Seniors-to-be get first choice, followed
by juniors and sophomores. (Incoming freshmen get no choice; they're
assigned to rooms by computer.)
The architecture students' plan would make apartments available
to both upperclassmen and faculty in a community-oriented complex
at the southwest corner of campus. The complex would consist of
commercial, retail and office space -- even a corner grocery store
-- with apartments above the businesses. Completing the area would
be a new arts quad and park with a wetland area, a banquet hall
for indoor and outdoor dances and live music, and a larger facility
for the Snite Museum of Art.
A gated entrance on Dorr Road would lead to new dormitories,
a theater-and-communications building and a hotel.
(October 2005)
