Thursday, November 20, 2014

COMMON STUDENT COMMENTS

We've really enjoyed discussing the CU Denver Neighborhood with students at master plan meet and greet sessions!  After only two sessions, we've gathered a big list of comments for a better campus.  Here are the most prevalent:

1. Students really need more lounge/hang out/study spaces to use in between classes! Tivoli is very noisy while Student Commons is very busy.  Can we add some quiet study spaces?

2. Students would really like a Wellness Center devoted to CU Denver!

3. Can we develop a shuttle system between Campus Village Apartments/campus parking and
CU Denver facilities east and west of Speer Boulevard? Speer is cumbersome and can be difficult to cross.

4. Can Larimer Street (current bus turnaround) be dedicated to bicycles and pedestrians only? This would create a great CU Denver Neighborhood entry promenade between the new Student Commons Building and the North Classroom. 

5.  The CU Denver Neighborhood "core" or "heart" is either North Classroom or Student Commons.

6.  Provide healthier food options on campus, and a Starbucks.

7. Add additional lighting near the Campus Village Apartments and parking lots for safety!

8.  Add more defined outdoor seating areas.  Specifically, plazas and courtyards.

9. Develop more of a campus culture/community through student life, events that engage the larger community, recreation/athletics, campus art, etc.

WHAT DO YOU THINK OF THESE COMMENTS?  ARE THERE ANY YOU'D ADD?


CU DENVER CAMPUS 2014 FACILITIES MASTER PLAN

The Office of Institutional Planning is currently working on the CU Denver Campus 2014 Facilities Master Plan.  What is a master plan, you ask?  Well, a master plan details and analyzes all existing campus elements (bicycle networks, green space, student life, housing, sustainability, space needs, etc.), compiles ideas from students, staff and faculty (visioning fun!), and then suggests the best methods of growth over the next 10 years.  Thus far, the master planning process included an in-depth inventory of the university and a space utilization and needs analysis. The process has now arrived at a key phase - VISIONING.  This is the chance to provide ideas for improvement, to form a concept of what we want CU Denver to be in 10 years, to influence types of development, determine our identity on the larger Auraria Campus, and to build a build a sense of community with all campus institutions!  This is the fun part.

Folks from the Office of Institutional Planning have held two "meet and greet" sessions to gather student ideas - one was held in the North Classroom Atrium on November 5th, and the other was in the beautiful new Student Commons Building, near to the Lynx Center on November 19th.  There will also be a larger OPEN FORUM on WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 3 from 3:30-5pm in Student Commons, room 2600.  Please join us!

Check out the campus map below for a little background information.  You'll notice that the CU Denver Neighborhood runs along Speer Boulevard.  This is wonderful for institutional visibility! However, Speer also creates quite a barrier between the main campus and downtown CU Denver Buildings (Business School, CU Denver Building and Lawrence Street Center).  Just something to consider...






Monday, September 30, 2013

Anschutz Medical Campus 2012 Facilities Master Plan Complete

After two years of hard work, collaboration with all campus stakeholders, and discussion with hundreds of students, staff and faculty, we are happy to share the completed Anschutz Medical Campus 2012 Facilities Master Plan!!  Here's a link to the Office of Institutional Planning's Master Plan web page:

http://www.ucdenver.edu/about/departments/InstitutionalPlanning/Pages/Anschutz-Medical-Campus-2012-Facilities-Master-Plan.aspx

You can download the Master Plan and Executive Summary in their entirety from this page.

Here is an illustrative showing the 10-year plan for the campus.

Tuesday, September 24, 2013

Welcome

Welcome to the Office of Institutional Planning's new blog.  We hope to provide up-to-date information on new campus projects, buildings and plans to CU Denver and Anschutz Medical Campus communities.  This year has been quite busy and we have a lot to share! We completed the Anschutz Medical Campus 2012 Facilities Master Plan, which was officially approved by the University of Colorado Board of Regents on September 17, 2013.  Academic Building 1 is also currently under construction on the CU Denver Campus, shaping the future of the CU Denver neighborhood.