 |
 |
 |
faculty students alumni courses major/minor requirements internships study abroad newsletters/journals
Environmental Studies Department |
|
Campus Environmental Issues CommitteeDecember 6, 2005
Introduction by Mark Dickinson (Director of Facilities Management & CEIC co-chair) Every 10 to 15 years or from a change in leadership a new campus plan is constructed. Macalester last created a plan in 1994 and has had a change in leadership with President Brian Rosenberg joining Macalester two years ago. Presentation by David Wheaton (Vice-president for Administration and Treasurer) The Campus Master Plan is a framework for decision making—a guideline. The Plan considers campus space as elements that work as a whole by highlighting innovation and sustainability. The plan considers such elements as quality, local citizenship, accessibility, sustainability, etc. One of the biggest focuses of the Master Plan is Macalester’s arrival sequence. The planners are considering audience as prospective students and visitors arrive from the airport and travel up Snelling to campus. Because of this present traffic flow, Snelling’s aesthetic appearance and the Grand-Snelling intersection are being considered for redesign to create a more accessible and enhanced sense of Macalester. The idea presented is to draw people to a center space where most of the campus can be viewed and accessed. This space is proposed for layout over the parking lot on north side of the Janet Wallace Fine Arts Center. In consideration of how the Campus flow works, the planners are considering cutting Macalester St. north of Grand to create a green quad. Shaw field is planned to be kept as an open green space. The north end of Shaw field could be slightly redesigned with a terrace. Questions and Discussion Concerns were expressed about parking and how green space will be limited. David responded that no study has been done to evaluate the current use of parking. A deck is proposed to be built over the parking lot on the west side of the Janet Wallace Fine Arts Center, which would not limit green space as a lot is already present at this location. The college currently just barely meets the minimum number of parking spaces required by the city. Questions were raised concerning the MULCH garden and where possible locations could be. It was suggested that perhaps the garden could remain near the new athletic and recreation building but be moved to the Snelling side to promote community participation and aesthetic of Snelling. The creation of an outdoor space that functions as an indoor space, such as an observatory, was also suggested. This space could incorporate natural vegetation and multicultural appeals to support the idea of plants from around the world. A concern was raised as to how the plan does or could encourage alternative transport on, from, and to campus. Alternative transport should be considered through Macalester’s transit stops and bike accessibility to promote Macalester’s image as a pedestrian friendly and public transportation promoting campus. Internal and external transportation must be considered. Many of the students agree that internally, there isn’t enough space for bikes, especially in consideration to bike racks at academic buildings. Bike capacity will be considered in the Master Plan. Externally, it is suggested that the Master Plan look at the bus stops, especially considering shelters as much of the academic year occurs during cold months. It is agreed upon that Macalester should and has the desire to promote public transportation over personal cars for both students and faculty. It is suggested that some sort of a bonus be given to those who choose alternative transport over driving. A question was raised about the possibility of creating a student owned space. This may be considered by either gathering space through renovation or looking at construction of space that does not exist. This topic also considers campus owned houses and reconstruction or expansion of houses. In response to a question regarding the location for the Institute for Global Citizenship, that proposed location was identified as east side of Snelling above the Grand & Snelling intersection, next to the building currently housing the International Center. As the Master Plan is considering the aesthetic elements and function of Snelling in Macalester’s campus, the idea of making Snelling more pedestrian friendly is important. This need may be answered by redesigning the intersection of Snelling and the entryway of Grand onto campus. The median on Grand has been a great success and in consideration is the extension of the median down Grand and/or down Macalester St. A question was raised regarding drainage and storm water considerations in the Master Plan. Currently this hasn’t been discussed, but as projects are evaluated individually, this will be considered in landscaping as a project-by-project progression. Last comments addressed campus sustainability and how sustainability is being considered with integration into elements of the general plan. It was also suggested that a student Master Plan and a set of principles to guide sustainability be created in order for students to work in conjunction with planners to address student concerns and ideas. The meeting adjourned at 1:00 pm.
|
|
|