I last wrote about the perception of community colleges and the opportunities to not only change that perception but to effectively change the reality. Another common theme I heard when meeting with the many community colleges was strategic partnerships
Strategic Partnerships:The question of future funding from the state for community colleges is a cause for great concern; “it’s not whether the cut from the state will or won’t take place, it’s how deep will it be and how will we deal with it.” How then will community colleges meet the needs of a growing student body with shrinking state dollars?
With state funding in doubt and pressure to keep tuition costs competitive, partnerships with private industry within the community along with philanthropic support is seen as the way of the future.
At the White House Community College Summit, held on October 5, 2010, private corporations were strongly encouraged to partner with community colleges with the goal of graduating an additional 5,000,000 people to enter the workforce by 2020. That same day, a $35,000,000 grant by the Gates Foundation, targeting Ohio as one of the nine states, to improve the graduation rate at community colleges was established.
Over the summer of 2010, I had the wonderful opportunity to interview community college presidents, provosts, vice presidents and deans, to better understand the challenges and opportunities that these institutions face as they navigate through these historically tough economic times. Over the course of the next several blogs, I’ll share some common themes that came up consistently during these enlightening conversations: Read the rest of this entry »
I just returned from the 2010 SCUP North Central Conference held at the University of Cincinnati. I always find it energizing to reacquaint with old friends, make new ones, and truly inspiring to witness the passion in higher education that SCUP members share in common. It was a privilege to present the topic “The Future is Now: Community College Planning for 2020” with Bruce Massis of Columbus State Community College and Jerry Webster of Terra State Community College. Our talk focused on the challenges and opportunities that these colleges face from the impact of the “Great Recession”, the varied needs of an increasingly diverse group of students, effective strategic planning, effective partnerships that benefit both community colleges and surrounding communities, and the positive impact that architecture can have to enhance the experience of learning, social interaction, and student success. Over the next several weeks, I will continue to share more information about the subject
We are seeing an interest in developing 30,000 sf to 45,000 sf one story incubator buildings in a science campus. These buildings are designed to encourage science and technology entrepreneurship. The incubator provides the resources required for developing the research initiatives of young start-up companies.
This 1 story, developer “Flex” type building is designed to be used as office/flex warehouse if a laboratory market cannot initially support full facility occupancy. These “flex” type buildings are economical and the large interior spans of the structural system provide an easily configurable interior space. 1 story facility eliminates the cost of heavy structural framing of multi-story buildings to provide for a vibration free facility required to support a lab use as many scientific instruments are vibration sensitive.
Incubator Building Program:
Programmatic Spaces:
Modular Laboratory bays (11’x30’)
Shared laboratory support spaces and specialty function spaces.
Office areas
Collaboration space
Building support areas: Mechanical & Electrical services, receiving/dock area,
exterior equipment support zone for generators, cylinder storage, etc.
