Minutes of Meeting

CAMPUS SPACE AND FACILITIES COMMITTEE
Minutes of March 28, 2002

Memorial Union - University Chambers

Committee Members present: John Elder, Berlin Nelson, Randy Hittman, Darryl Booker, Will Bleier, Jurgen Schwartz, Vern Markey, Craig Schnell, Dick Rayl

Committee Members absent: Derald Bates, Gary Goreham, Justin Welch, Joe Mathern

Ex-Officio Members present: Deanna Sellnow, Paul Gleye, Bruce Frantz, Tim Lee

Others present: Gina Haugen, Gary Naurm

Dick Rayl, chairperson, called the meeting to order. VP Rayl asked if there were any additions or corrections to the minutes of the October meeting. There being none, Will Bleier moved to accept the minutes of the October 1, 2001 meeting. Randy Hittman seconded the motion. Motion carried.

Presentation of the Service Center and Robinson Hall Traffic and Pedestrian Movement Study
The Transportation Student Association (TSA) of the NDSU Institute of Transportation Engineers presented its findings on a study commissioned by the Campus Space and Facilities Committee regarding traffic and pedestrian issues in the vicinity of Robinson Hall and the Ag Service Center building. Growth in pedestrian traffic due to the WE parking lot and the addition of the Wellness Center and soon-to-be Living Learning Center at the west edge of campus necessitated this study. Several areas, such as traffic circulation, volume and control, pedestrian volume and activity, roadway characteristics and markings, and vehicle speeds were assessed. The TSA compiled their findings into a report that outlined several short-term and long-term solutions, including new signage, construction of raised medians/crosswalks/speed tables/fences, redesign of parking lot entrances, and/or relocation of the Ag Service Center building.

Discussion by committee members followed, including concerns being voiced about the development of the area west of 18th Street. VP Rayl instructed Tim Lee and Bruce Frantz to meet with the TSA concerning recommendations that could be implemented immediately (e.g. signage, raised sidewalks, fences) and to also visit with the staff located in the Service Center for their input. He asked that volunteers from the Planning Subcommittee meet with TSA members, too, concerning safety as a priority for the campus. VP Rayl then thanked Berlin Nelson for bringing these safety issues to the Committee's attention.

Planning Subcommittee Report (Darryl Booker)
Darryl Booker, chairperson, reported that the subcommittee met concerning recommendations for the location of the Minard Hall Addition and also the proposed College of Business Building. He indicated that no action was taken by the committee on either project, because committee members felt that they need information provided to them in a more effective manner in order to expedite the process and to be better able to make informed recommendations.

Discussion then followed on the role of the current Campus Master Plan in relationship to future expansion of the campus, especially the area west of 18th Street. A suggestion was made that the Administration consider hiring an outside planning consultant to research that part of the campus as decisions made today may not necessarily be addressing the long-term outlook for future University needs.

VP Rayl agreed that timing has been an issue in getting information to the Planning Subcommittee. He suggested that one solution might be to place a member of the subcommittee on each building committee formed on campus. He then went on to update the members on the Minard Hall Addition and asked that a recommendation be made in order that plans could be completed so that the project could get underway during this construction season. VP Schnell moved and Will Bleier seconded a motion to approve the site located directly west of the current Minard Hall building and adjacent to Festival Concert Hall. Motion carried. VP Rayl then indicated that since Bruce Frantz is a member on most (if not all) building committees, it will be his charge to see that members of the Planning Subcommittee are kept apprised of all applicable building projects.

VP Rayl indicated that it was not essential at this time to receive an immediate recommendation for the proposed College of Business building. The Planning Subcommittee would, however, need to issue its recommendations to the Dean of the College of Business sometime in the near future so as not to delay the planning process. Discussion then followed on items needing consideration such as the capital campaign; air quality in the area being considered by the COB; other proposed uses for that same area by Ag; sound pollution; and distance from the campus core. The Planning Subcommittee made the decision to meet again to discuss these and other possible issues and to make a recommendation of possible sites to the building committee.

Space Subcommittee (Will Bleier)
Will Bleier, chairperson, reported that the College of Business indicated that it no longer wishes to occupy the space vacated by the Office of Research Administration in the old credit union/post office building. Therefore, he recommended and made a motion that the space be allocated to Disability Services as it was the other department indicating an interest in it. Vern Markey seconded the motion; motion carried.

Traffic Brochure Updates (Tim Lee)
Tim briefed the committee on the proposed changes to the 2002-2003 traffic brochure. The changes are mainly housekeeping changes as Campus Police is striving for more continuity in the document's phrasing. He solicited input, though, from the members concerning consultant permits. Campus Police has had some difficulties with isolated incidences of misuse/abuse of the unrestricted parking associated with this type of permit. He proposed that a yearly fee be charged for the permit rather than providing it as a gratis as is current practice. Discussion followed, and it was recommended and moved by VP Schnell that Campus Police still provide the permits without cost but that they handle the violators on a case-by-case basis with revocation of the violator's permit if so determined. Will Bleier seconded the motion. Motion carried.

Campus Parking Fees (Dick Rayl)
VP Rayl indicated that sufficient funds for the improvements to and/or the addition of campus parking lots are again a concern. The average cost of a surface lot runs $900 to $1,000 per stall as opposed to $12,000 to $14,000 per stall for a parking ramp with security also being an issue with the ramp. Discussion followed on whether or not to raise the parking permit fees to alleviate some of the funding crunch. It was questioned that if fees are not raised, is NDSU just "putting off the inevitable?" Students have not been consulted on the increase and members were hesitant to make a recommendation because of this. They felt that a more detailed assessment of the lots and parking issues is needed before making a recommendation. Dr. Schnell suggested developing a plan to be discussed at the committee's October meeting.

Campus Master Plan Update (Bruce Frantz)
Bruce informed the committee that the update for the 2003-2005 Campus Master Plan is nearing completion. The CMP is updated every two years with a new Plan written every six years. He spoke about the project priorities for 03-05, which includes renovation of Minard Hall, Ceres Hall, and the Bison Sports Arena, infrastructure updates, and a new Living Learning Residence Hall West. For Ag, the priorities are a new research greenhouse complex at the Main Station, a new Headquarters/ Office/Multipurpose Room building for Dickinson REC, and a new building to house the Nestle' Research Mill.

Bruce indicated that there is a lot of "high energy" being directed to deferred maintenance of campus buildings statewide. For NDSU alone, the cost calculated for deferred maintenance items such as health and safety, ADA, major renovations and repairs, and major remodeling is over $24 million. This led to a discussion of the importance of planning on and for a campus, especially in the area of new buildings. Some committee members voiced views that the campus needs to be prepared for growth, and the planning effort is a very important effort to undertake in this process.

VP Rayl stated that the State Board of Higher Education has certain parameters that need to be met when developing a Master Plan for the NDUS. Guidelines for the campuses are outlined in the first part of the each CMP. He suggested that the Planning Subcommittee review this section of the plan to see if what was developed ten years ago is still applicable today. He mentioned that the subcommittee should to keep in mind that general fund money is less available for projects today than in the past. The timeline process of the master plan also is not conducive to the fast pace of today's campus. This is where the capital campaign becomes important as a method of somewhat accelerating the project process.

Concerns were expressed that the land use and expansion plan for campus growth per functions (e.g. research, classroom) seem to be overshadowed by the need to respond quickly to an issue. The current Master Plan doesn't address growth on the west edge of the campus (west of 18th Street). Some members expressed views that moving certain functions from the campus core does nothing to help maintain the "integrity" of the campus. VP Rayl said that he would take these concerns to the President.

A motion was made by Will Bleier and seconded by Darryl Booker to accept the updated Campus Master Plan revisions. Motion carried.

Other Business
Bruce Frantz was approached by a student group requesting permission to paint a mural on the current Art Quonsets before Commencement. It was decided that the Planning Committee would approve the design of the mural and then bring its report back to the full committee at its next meeting.

Concerns were also expressed that the turnover rate is very high on the Campus Space and Facilities Committee due to the relatively short-term assignments by the colleges. It was felt that continuity is needed in order for the committee to be effective in the tasks charged to them. The committee members were asked to discuss making their membership on the CSFC a longer-term commitment with their respective deans.

With no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 2:45 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Gina Haugen
Assistant to the Vice President for Business and Finance