Campus Planning Committee: March 27, 2008

After a brief welcome and introduction, the Campus Planning Committee (CPC) commenced its March 27, 2008 meeting. There were three items on the agenda:

Approval of the February 28, 2008 Minutes

During that meeting, the Campus Planning Committee had reviewed the Wisconsin Institutes of Discovery/Vivarium, the Charter Street Heating Plant, ATC Line-Overhead/Underground.

The UW-Madison Campus Masterplan

Presented by Gary Brown Director of Campus Planning and Landscape Architecture, a division of Facilities Planning and Management.

The theme of the Masterplan is “Recreating Ourselves in Place.” The two components of the theme, ‘re-creating” and “in place,” speak to the land use issue of infill development.

Infill Development can be defined as “development that occurs on contiguous vacant lots scattered within areas that are already predominantly developed or urbanized to the highest intensity allowed by the zoning designation and the General Plan” (City of Escondido Municipal Code, 2008).

Infill matters because this type of land use is ecologically sustainable. Infill can utilize existing infrastructure (streets, water/sewer, and utilities), reduce dependence on cars by taking advantage of existing/proposed transit, recycle polluted brownfields and/or vacant lots, satiate neighborhood deficiencies (housing, commerce, social services), and fit within the existing neighborhood context (height, setbacks, architectural design, mass, etc).

Most importantly, Infill does not require the University to expand its development footprint into the surrounding neighborhoods.

The University had explored two other strategies (1) creating a satellite campus and, (2) expanding the existing campus and concluded that utilizing an Infill scheme was more financially advantageous. Driving this decision is the projected increase of educational land uses (office, recreation, housing, labs, etc) of 6.3M square feet of space, from 18.5 to 25.3M and the identification of 65 acres of parking lots. It is financially cheaper to recreate a parking lot into a university building.

The Committee raised three questions:

1. Did the University enter into an agreement (Memorandum of Understanding) with the City of Madison regarding the intended developments (6.3M square feet) of the Masterplan? The answer is no.

2. How does the Masterplan affect Operating Costs? Essentially, the plan identifies maintenance intensive older buildings and examines if a new building or re-fabricated building can serve the needs of the University. The criteria is as follows:

• Does the building have historic significance (as defined by being on the National Register of Historic Places or identified by the Wisconsin Historical Society as a potentially eligible building) and/or is it a pivotal or contributing building in an identified historic district?
  

• Is the building a heritage building or signature building on campus?

• Does the building meet current and projected functional needs and if if not, can it be remodeled, renovated or reprogrammed?

• Does the facility have major building inadequacies related to its structure, HVAC,etc.?

• Is the existing site in demand for future development which has a higher & better use?
  

To understand the evaluation of buildings please click here and turn to page 81:

https://fpm-www3.fpm.wisc.edu/cpla/Portals/0/2005%20CMP%20Chapter%203%20Observations.pdf

3. How does this plan effect parking on Campus? An underground parking space can cost between $25-$50K per parking space depending on the foundation, soil type, building construction, number of parking spaces, etc. In order to pay for new construction, the parking rates will need to be raised in the future.

For more UW-Madison Campus Masterplan Information:

You can find the entire master plan here:

https://fpm-www3.fpm.wisc.edu/CPLA/tabid/66/Default.aspx

You can find Mr. Brown’s presentation here:

https://fpm-www3.fpm.wisc.edu/cpla/Portals/0/Report%20to%20CPC%20March%2008.pdf

You can find a video presentation of the master plan, given by Alan Fish – Associate Vice Chancellor for Facilities Planning and Management here (click 2005-2025):

http://www.uwalumni.com/home/coolstuff/masterplan/masterplan.aspx

You can find the Campus Long Range Transportation Plan here:

https://fpm-www3.fpm.wisc.edu/cpla/Portals/0/Trans%20LRTP%20031808.pdf

Design Guidelines

Presented by Dan Okoli, Director and University Architect of Campus Planning & Management, a division of Facilities Planning and Management.

What is notable about his presentation is the identification of the best location for UW-Madison amenities (Wisconsin Union, the Bascom Hill Historic District, etc.) happen to be locations built at least 80 to 100 years ago. It was striking that nothing built within that last 10 years was included. Therefore, if you have ever wondered why there seems to be a lack of design cohesion on the campus, you must examine two aspects of any campus Land Use Entitlement. An Land Use Entitlement can be defined as the right to develop land with government approvals for zoning changes, density, utility installations, occupancy permits, use permits. In this case, the government is the City of Madison.

Lets create a scenario where I want to construct a 5-story structure that will contain classrooms, faculty offices, underground parking, a small food court, and a penthouse conference room.

1. Design Review Board: After the interior requirements have been programmed (square feet, classrooms, faculty offices, underground parking, a small food court, and a penthouse conference room) and the site has been selected, I must propose an exterior design for the structure. The following is excerpted from the Campus Design Guidelines technical report:

The University of Wisconsin-Madison has neither advocated stylistic consistency nor prescribed particular roof forms, colors or materials throughout it campus; instead it is our expectation that buildings and campus places should be designed to be sensitive to their neighborhood context. Clearly such intimate dialogue between new projects and their context will take account of materials, colors, quality, scale, proportions, massing, and overall character of existing buildings and spaces in the neighborhood.

In implementing the 2005 Campus Master Plan, these criteria: richness, balance and unity should be applied to the treatment of open spaces, the buildings, and primary interior spaces…

So what architectural style should we employ? What are the heights of buildings? What about colors and materials? Answers to questions such as these are not prescribed; instead the guideline focuses on a process, through dialogue, that would lead to answers that are appropriate for our campus. It suffices to say that every project on campus should be acutely sensitive to its immediate and larger contexts, and contribute to a greater sense of coherence, even as it expresses its uniqueness and embodies the spirit of its age.

In short, the Design Review Board does not dictate a style, but reacts to proposals. It is important to note that the guidelines contain important information regarding building heights, roof materials, HVAC location, parking specs, etc. and also divides the campus into different districts (based on use, Health Sciences Neighborhood, Lakeshore Residence Neighborhood, etc.), but these are not mandatory requirements. It is hoped that the ‘dialogue’ can mitigate design concerns, but there is no formal design approval process.

If my proposed building has completed the Design Review Board, has been recommended by the Campus Planning Committee (the CPC does not review design), has received recommendation from UW-System, and has received funding from the State of Wisconsin, then I apply for a Land Use Entitlement from the City of Madison.

2. Urban Design Commission: At the City, the project needs approval by the Urban Design Commission (UDC). As a legal reviewing body, the UDC is authorized by the City of Madison General Ordinances, specifically Chapter 33.24 (http://www.municode.com/resources/ClientCode_List.asp?cn=Madison&sid=49&cid=11618).

Because the primary UW-Madison is not within a Design District, any campus project would be reviewed as a Planned Development. Therefore, under Section 33.32.4(b) of the City of Madison General Ordinance, the following shall apply:

The Urban Design Commission shall review the design of all proposed developments which are considered planned developments under provisions of the Zoning Ordinance. In exercising this power, the commission shall be bound by the provisions of Sec. 28.07(4), (5) and (6) and Sec. 28.12(11)(k) and shall report its findings to the City Plan Commission and Common Council.

As Planned Development, Section 28.07(6)(a) of the City of Madison General Ordinance, the following shall apply:

The planned unit development district is established to provide a voluntary regulatory framework designed to encourage and promote improved environmental and aesthetic design in the City of Madison by allowing for greater freedom, imagination and flexibility in the development of land while insuring substantial compliance to the basic intent of the zoning code and the general plan for community development. To this intent it allows diversification and variation in the bulk and relationship of uses, structures and spaces in developments conceived as comprehensive and cohesive unified plans and projects. It is further intended to encourage developments consistent with coordinated area site planning.

Please note that key underlined words, “voluntary, flexible, and basic intent.” In essence, the UDC, like the Design Review Board reacts to proposals rather than applies stringent design standards. Furthermore, any UDC recommendation may be amended or deleted in the subsequent hearings by the Plan Commission and the Common Council. As a result of this process, the urban design of the campus reflects a hodge-podge of styles but no unifying theme.

Alternatively within Planning, New Urbanist Design has gained traction because of its strong design principles. The implementing tool of New Urbanist Design is Form-based codes (referring to Architectural Form). These are zoning codes that place a primary emphasis on building type, dimensions, parking location and façade features, and less emphasis on uses. They stress the appearance of the streetscape, or public realm, over long lists of different use types.

The Committee raised two questions:

• A committee member responded that she considers west campus a not so great place that doesn’t have a sense of community. Mr. Okoli stated that the new ideas and compositions will be brought into the new buildings and developments and humanize the West Campus Area. He said that the conversation is happening. Alan Fish stated that once the new development is complete it will bring more green space, fewer parking lots, and will be developed on a more human scale overall.
  

• A committee member asked if the Design Review Board (DRB) gets involved in pedestrian movement. Mr. Okoli stated that the DRB doesn’t get involved in that portion of the Campus Master Plan, but he will explore future DRB involvement on that topic.

For more information on UW-Madison Campus Urban Design:

You can find the Campus Design Guidelines here:

https://fpm-www3.fpm.wisc.edu/cpla/Portals/0/2005%20CMP%20Chapter%206%20Design%20Guidelines.pdf

You can find a presentation of Historic Campus photos here:

https://fpm-www3.fpm.wisc.edu/FPM_Portal/Portals/0/collegeOnTheHill.pdf

You can find the City of Madison Zoning Codes here:

http://www.municode.com/resources/ClientCode_List.asp?cn=Madison&sid=49&cid=11618

You can find a brochure on Form Based Zoning Codes here:

http://www.lgc.org/freepub/PDF/Land_Use/fact_sheets/form_based_codes.pdf

LGBT Issues Committee: Approved Campus LGBT Reccomendations

As has been explained before, The LGBT Issues Committee is in charge of creating recommendations for the university. We don't have actual decision making power, just the ability to advise the campus' governing body. Throughout this year we drafted a report that builds on a recurring 3-year report that the committee has been doing for a while. I am very proud of the report we've drafted; It represents everything we have the advisory ability to change for the better. While the full report will be published online by the committee after it is presented to the university's governing bodies, I will post the executive summary for the purposes of this blog. Please check back for the link to the actual document when it is published by the university for more details.

Executive Summary of LGBT Issues Committee Recommendations, presented 4-08:

1. We recommend that the Vice Provost for Campus Climate and Diversity assume campus-wide oversight of LGBT Issues and report annually in December to this committee on the initiatives undertaken and results achieved campus-wide in this arena.
2. We recommend that the College of Letters and Sciences provide the following new support for the LGBT Studies Certificate Program:
1. A 100% budgeted faculty line in LGBT Studies with a tenure home in any appropriate are
   
2. A 15% increase in funding for the undergraduate advisor position in the Department of Gender and Women’s Studies in recognition of that position’s responsibilities for advising LGBT Studies Certificate students.
3. We recommend that the College of Letters and Sciences Office of Student Academic Affairs work with the LGBT Studies faculty to solicit increased First-Year Interest Group opportunities dealing with LGBT themes.
   
4. We recommend that University Housing create a residential learning community focused on LGBT themes for undergraduates at all levels on the UW-Madison campus.
   
5. We recommend that the campus secure and stabilize the operations of the LGBT Campus Center by:
   
1. Providing adequate office space both for staff functioning and for private student consultation and discussion;
   
2. Funding the academic staff positions of the Center through 101 monies.
6. We recommend that the LGBT Campus Center (supported by additional campus resources), undertake the following initiatives, in coordination with the Dean of Students Office and the Office of the Vice Provost of Campus Climate and Diversity:
   
1. Develop and supply a comprehensive LGBT brochure (services, academics, etc.) for distribution as part of the orientation program for new students;
2. In partnership with relevant offices, provide a targeted LGBT student orientation program for incoming freshman, transfer and graduate students;
3. In partnership with relevant offices, develop and provide a “senior year experience” program focusing on preparation for job and/or graduate/professional school exploration;
4. Continue to develop the “Opening Doors” mentorship program pairing students and faculty/staff.
   
7. We recommend that the Admissions Office give greater attention to the recruitment of LGBT students by:
   
1. Improving accessibility to LGBT information on its website;
2. Attending national LGBT recruitment fairs;
   
3. Working with the LGBT Campus Center to create a recruiting pamphlet on LGBT life at UW.
8. We recommend that the Vice Provost for Faculty and Staff work closely with the Vice Provost for Campus Climate and Diversity and with the LGBT Campus Center to insure the inclusion of LGBT faculty and staff in the campus’s various recruitment efforts and to provide programs and services important to LGBT faculty and staff retention, to include:
   
1. Continued aggressive leadership in working with the state legislature to achieve domestic partner benefits for LGBT and other unmarried campus faculty and staff;
2. The creation and funding of an LGBT faculty/staff mentoring program parallel to the existing mentoring program for female faculty.

To give credit where credit is due, the people involved in the report in alphabetical order are:

• Daña Alder
• Thomas Armbrecht
• Lori Berquam
• Jeanne Boydston (chair)
• Julie D’Acci
• Justin Hagar
• Elliott Rezny
• Eric Trekell (ex-officio)
• Christina Treviño-Murphy (student alternate)
• Mariamne Whatley
• Tehshik Yoon

If you have any questions, feel free to contact me, erezny [at] wisc [dot] edu .

Committee on Undergraduate Recruitment, Admissions, and Financial Aid

(I couldn't make it this meeting, but the info below is from the minutes.)

Committee on Undergraduate Recruitment, Admissions, and Financial Aid
April 2, 2008

1. Reps from ASM’s Book Swap program came to talk about the program. CURAFA is going to write a letter of support.

2. Rob Seltzer (D/O Admissions), briefed the committee:
• The admissions process has worked very well. There were 605 more total applicants this year, but 109 fewer from in-state.
• There were a total of 3,088 paid deposits and the trend seems to point to a 2008 class size of expected numbers (a target of <5,700). style="font-weight: bold;">For the first time UW-Madison admit rate may be just below 50%.

3. Susan Fischer briefed the committee:
• 2008-09 Awards are being made
• CSA (Common Scholarship Application) is being worked on with plenty of effort from various offices. The goal was to make it student friendly.
• The home mortgage/financial crisis, which has affected several campuses, has not affected the UW. The UW Credit Union is solid financially.

4. Changes were suggested to letter to Chancellor Wiley. Gunasekaran will send an updated version to Wiley on behalf of the Committee.

5. Gunasekaran will also draft an annual report for the Faculty Senate. He will distribute it for comments.

Labor Licensing Policy Committee Special Meeting

Well, on Friday we had our special meeting with Gregg Nebel (adidas) and Scott Nova (Workers' Rights Consortium). Wiley came to the beginning 15 minutes of the meeting, and although he acknowledged that the entire garment industry is intentionally designed to exploit workers, he also undermined the committee by pretty much stating that we would not cut the contract because we would not field a naked football team. Gregg Nebel pretty much said he was going to do absolutely nothing to ensure that the workers get their jobs back. There is a job fair coming up that will hopefully get some of the workers new jobs, after a 6 week training session, but adidas is not going to urge factories to hire the blacklisted workers. I don't remember if I mentioned this before, but it seems like the blacklist is still in place. There is an ombudsman hired by the Fail Labor Association helping these former workers out, and one day 21 of them applied at a nearby factory, Chi Fung, and 16 were not even allowed to apply, of the 5 that were allowed to apply, only one was hired (supposedly the others failed the test even though they have worked in the apparel industry for years. Their skills might have atrophied in the 3 years that they were unable to find employment, but it is Chi Fung's own fault since they refused to hire the workers, and there is no reason to believe that these skills would not come back pretty much right away), and the one that was hired was fired the very next day. The ombudsman intervened and she was given her job back, but then fired again almost immediately. Over all, it was a very frustrating 5 hours. I guess that is all the important stuff. Scott Nova talked to us a bit about the WRC and the Designated Suppliers Program and some other stuff that probably isn't very interesting to anybody who isn't on the committee. Let me know if there are any questions!

Interviews Begin for 2008-2009 Appointments

Monday, April 7 marks the beginning of the interview process for student appointments to standing committees for the 2008-2009 academic year. Interviews will take place on four separate nights (April 7, 9, 15, 17) over the next two weeks. We've received roughly 70 applications, which is on par with the numbers from last fall. The most contested committees, as per usual, include the Dean of Students Advisory Board and Campus Planning Committee.

Please note that ASM Shared Governance will be appointing students to new committees next fall. I'm particularly excited about the International Studies Advisory Board--a committee of students that will advise the dean of IS on programming, curricula and study abroad opportunities. Stay tuned...

Labor Licensing Policy Committee March Meeting

Well, we just had our meeting. This meeting was pretty much dedicated to coming up with a plan for next week's meeting with Scott Nova and Gregg Nebel (Friday, April 4, noon, TITU, everyone should come). We had an outside facilitator come in from the Office of Quality Improvement to help us come up with a strategy for our negotiations. With his help, we came up with our bottom-line interest and our best alternative to a negotiated agreement, and also tried to figure out what adidas' interests and BATNA would be. The structure of the meeting is going to be both Scott and Gregg at first, they will each give a brief report answering questions we sent them, then there will be time for us to ask questions, then we will move into the negotiation. When we are finished with that, Gregg will leave, and Scott will talk to us about the role of the WRC, and also the feasibility and implementation of the plan we come up with in the negotiation. Nothing new really came out of this meeting, since the entire thing was dedicated to planning for next weeks meeting, and to see how that plays out, come check it out next Friday, April 4, at noon, TITU!

Union Building Project - Design Advisory Groups

Design Advisory Groups (DAGs) will begin meeting to discuss various issues relating the Union Building Project beginning the week after spring break. DAGs are one of the ways the Union is trying to reach out to students and the campus community to both share information on the project and gather input. These are the seven DAGs:

1. Indoor/Outdoor Recreation
2. Foodservice & Retail
3. Sustainability
4. Interior Design and Art
5. Site Design
• City Approval & Community Connection
• Parking & Transit
• Accessibility
6. Programming and Operations
• Meeting & Conference
• Programming & Events
• A/V & Technology
• Administrative Offices/Function
• Building Support/Operations
7. Leadership & Involvement

I will be posting additional information on exact meeting times in the next couple days. If you would like to officially join any of the DAGs please send an email to unionbuildingproject@gmail.com or just attend one of the meetings. Please feel free to let me know if you have any questions or suggestions. Thanks,

Dan Cornelius, dcornelius@wisc.edu