Facilities Master Plan - Genesee Community College
Transcription
Facilities Master Plan - Genesee Community College
Facilities Master Plan 12 November, 2012 Facilities Master Plan November 2012 Genesee Community College One College Road Batavia, New York 14020-9704 Board of Trustees Maureen T. Marshall, Chairman Diane Torcello, Vice-Chairman Laura J. Bohm, Secretary Benjamin J. Bonarigo Sr. Donna M. Ferry Laurie Miller Glenn R. Morton Dr. Melvin J. Wentland Peter R. Call Phyllis Washburn, Student Trustee Charles Ruffino, Trustee Emeritus Dr. James Sunser, President Michael Stoll, Interim Executive Vice President of Academic Affairs and Chief Academic Officer William Emm, Executive Vice President of Planning and Institutional Effectiveness Kevin Hamilton, Vice President for Finance and Operations Dr. Virginia Taylor, Vice President of Student and Enrollment Services Richard Ensman, Director of Development and External Affairs Timothy Landers, Director of Buildings and Grounds Prepared by: JMZ Architects and Planners, P.C. 190 Glen Street - P.O. Box 725 Glens Falls, NY 12801 (518) 793-0786 www.JMZarchitects.com Robert J. Joy, AIA Nina L. Oldenquist LEED® AP Facilities Master Plan Table of Contents Introduction The Strategic Plan . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 Program and Facility Needs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 Space Use Campus Space Use Comparison . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 SUNY Genesee Space Assessment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 Enrollment The Impact of Declining Population . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 Enrollment Trends . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 The Importance of Retention . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 Program Needs Input from Campus Community . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11 Existing Conditions Approach . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Methodology . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . System-wide Results . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Results for SUNY Genesee. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Consultant’s Approach . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15 16 16 16 17 The Master Plan The Student Success Agenda . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19 Planning Objectives . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20 Figure 1- Summary of Initiatives Proposed Projects Master Plan Recommendations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21 Figure 2- Wellness and Events Center: Main Entrance Figure 3- Wellness and Events Center: Looking North Figure 4- Student Success Center: Looking South Figure 5- Student Success Center: Looking North Figure 6- Buildings Concept Plan Figure 7- Site Concept Plan Project Budget . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33 Master Plan Budget Estimate . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34 SUNY Genesee JMZ Architects and Planners, P.C. i Introduction Facilities Master Plan Introduction SUNY Genesee has a long and excellent legacy of planning. This Facilities Master Plan is the fourth that JMZ has had the privilege to complete. The 2007 Facilities Master Plan Update identified $38 million in potential projects. Since then, the Zambito Gymnasium has been renovated, a new women’s locker room was created on the third floor, the College constructed a new turf field, the baseball and softball fields have been brought up to NCAA standards, the tennis courts have been renovated, the College has relocated the growing nursing program to leased space in the Med & Tech Park across Hawley Drive, the Polysomnographic Technology program has a new lab, the west entry plaza and the patio between the Main Building and Conable were developed, and in April of 2011 the College opened the Rosalie “Roz” Steiner Art Gallery. “There are more than 900+ people earning their degree this school year. I think that is a pretty awesome stat because I, myself, am a part of the GCC Class of 2012, and we are going down in [the] history of GCC.” - Campus Blog, May 14, 2012 Other projects, such as updates to the Main Building mechanical system, a Community Wellness Center, and parking lot improvements have not been completed and remain priorities. In addition, initiatives that were identified as emerging issues in the previous Master Plan have come to the forefront in this plan, including a “one-stop” center and “learning commons.” The Strategic Plan The challenge with this, or any master plan, is to craft a facilities program that aligns the physical space with the values and vision of the college. A facilities master plan should follow, not lead. To be effective, a master plan must be linked to a college’s mission and vision, to an ongoing strategic planning process, and to its academic, marketing, and technology initiatives. One goal of SUNY Genesee’s 2011-2013 Strategic Plan is to “continue to be an important SUNY Genesee Campus in 1994 SUNY Genesee JMZ Architects and Planners, P.C. SUNY Genesee Campus in 2012 1 Introduction Facilities Master Plan partner in the economic success of our region.” Some of the key intended outcomes in the College’s strategic plan include: • Support and expand workforce development and training efforts and continue to focus on key strategic industries • Expand outreach to the GLOW community • Remove barriers to educational services • Improve student readiness by streamlining student enrollment and business processes • Maximize the College’s ability to facilitate student success after graduation • Become the highest ranked community college in the nation in student completion (Associate and Certificate degree completions) The College is already striving to meet these goals. In November 2011, SUNY Genesee graduated 24 students from a new Advanced Manufacturing and Nano Technology Certificate Training Program. The pilot program was developed by the Genesee County Economic Development Center in partnership with SUNY Genesee and the Rochester Institute of Technology, and was funded by a grant from the New York State Office of Community Renewal in conjunction with Genesee County. The potential projects identified in this Facilities Master Plan have an estimated budget of $42.5 million. The Executive Summary of the SUNY Genesee Strategic Plan states that, “Going forward, expenditures will be prioritized based on their relevance to our strategic plan.” This Facilities Master Plan outlines a set of initiatives that balance the college’s infrastructure needs with major program initiatives, and takes advantage of “low-hanging” fruit, with the goal of promoting GCC’s continued success in the GLOW region and beyond. 2 SUNY Genesee JMZ Architects and Planners, P.C. Facilities Master Plan Introduction Program and Facility Needs This Facilities Master Plan focuses on key program and facility needs and builds on previous planning efforts: • A new field house concept appeared in the 2002 Facilities Master Plan, and was further developed in a 2007 study. Since then, the college built the turf field, which was originally to be part of a field house concept. This plan presents an updated site and program that is responsive to the college’s current needs. • The 2002 and 2007 Master Plans also cited a need to renovate the existing dining facilities, and this was reexamined in this Master Plan. • In 2010 JMZ met with a focus group to discuss creating a One-Stop center to streamline the services provided by Student Services, Admissions, Financial Aid, and Career Services. The information gathered at that time was used as a starting point for One-Stop program discussions during this Master Plan. • Cosmetic upgrades to the Forum were cited in the previous (2007) Master Plan, and those options are combined with new program proposals here. • In 2000 JMZ oversaw the renovation of the Alfred O’Connell Library. Since then, pedagogical changes have influenced the way libraries function and “learning commons” have become an important part of library programming. This was identified as an emerging need in the previous Master Plan. • This Master Plan also calls for the creation of informal “plug-in” space around campus, so that students can work informally, alone or in small groups. Portable technology, and technology in general, has increased power and internet demand. Students also spend more time engaged in collaborative learning than a generation ago. The Director of Buildings and Grounds, Tim Landers, collaborated with JMZ to identify current facility needs and verify the status of projects from the previous master plan. Many of the facility improvements in this report are program-driven. Where they are not, such as the recommendation to replace boilers, they contribute to the continuing stewardship of the College. Every upgrade is an opportunity to increase the energy efficiency of the College. In terms of site, the 2002 Master Plan called for resurfacing and reorienting the campus parking lots, and improving the landscaping and walkways on campus. These topics were revisited within the context of the new overall site concept. The Roz Steiner Art Gallery Vet-Tech Identifying space for the Vet-Tech program is a continuing challenge. The college currently has no access to dedicated live animal lab space. This is due primarily to the fact that the mechanical ventilation system for this type of lab must, by code, be separated from the rest of the building’s HVAC system. For this reason it is not possible to locate the Vet-Tech program at the new Dansville facility, despite the large number of class labs there. Class labs that do not involve live animals are held at the college, but these courses compete for SUNY Genesee JMZ Architects and Planners, P.C. 3 Key Areas Facilities Master Plan lab time with the other science programs. There is no additional lab space for lease at the professional center where nursing is taught. The practical portion of the Vet-Tech curriculum is now being conducted at the local animal shelter, and while this provides required hands-on experience, the facility is not large enough to accommodate the full needs of the program. The shelter itself may be forced to scale back staff, which could provide additional opportunities for SUNY Genesee students. The Campus Centers SUNY Genesee has six campus centers in the GLOW region: Medina, Albion, Warsaw, Arcade, Lima, and Dansville. In addition to being assets to the communities in which they are located, they enhance the reach and identity of SUNY Genesee. These centers provide an opportunity for the College to customize the course offerings at each center to respond to the needs of the local economy and workforce. This will become increasingly important as GCC feels the pressure of the current economy and a decreasing pool of applicants. As the college mission states, SUNY Genesee is “Dedicated to meeting the changing needs of individuals and the community ... [and] commits to providing educational experiences which promote intellectual and social growth, workforce and economic development, and global citizenship.” Locally tailoring the academic offerings of the campus centers with respect to workforce development addresses recruitment of high school students and returning adults as well. In the spring of 2012 the Board of Trustees approved the lease of the former Dansville Middle School, which will be a significant space increase for the College. The new site has labs, general classrooms, and performance space. The existing kitchen and cafeteria could provide the opportunity for a culinary program. The new location can also serve as swing space for the Batavia Campus. Long-term programming for this facility should support the local workforce and the academic mission of the College. Campus Centers 4 SUNY Genesee JMZ Architects and Planners, P.C. Key Areas Facilities Master Plan Space Use Campus Space Use Comparison While community colleges are given considerable latitude to comply with the State University of New York space standards, they can be a useful guideline for evaluating a college’s existing space. It is also informative to compare campus space to one’s peers when information is available. The table below is a snapshot from 2008 showing the net assignable square feet (NASF) per student on community college campuses with full-time equivalent students (FTEs) between 4,000 and 5,000. The space includes both academic and support space. At the time this data was compiled Genesee had 62 NASF per full-time equivalent student (FTE), the lowest among these colleges of similar size. The next lowest college was Niagara County Community college with 70 NASF per FTE. The highest was Mohawk Valley community college with 106 NASF per FTE. Mohawk Valley Community College SUNY Orange Broome Community College Finger Lakes Community College Ni Niagara C County C Community i C College ll SUNY Genesee 0 20 40 60 80 100 120 Net Assignable Square Feet per FTE Since this data was originally compiled Mohawk Valley built a field house addition of 28,000 gross square feet (gsf), and SUNY Orange built a science building and childcare center on their main campus totalling about 50,000 gsf and a new branch campus facility at Newburgh that is 180,000 gsf. Finger Lakes has built a Student Services Center and Niagara County Community College has built a Hospitality and Tourism Center. SUNY Genesee completed the 2,400 gsf Rosalie Steiner Art Gallery. While enrollment increased for all community colleges before leveling off starting in 2009, Genesee lost ground relative to its peers because of its modest facility expansion, and by 2011 Genesee had only 55.9 NASF per FTE. Additional space will be needed as growth in the College’s facilities has not kept pace with the growth in enrollment. SUNY Genesee has substantially less space per student than its peer group of similar sized community colleges in the SUNY system. SUNY Genesee JMZ Architects and Planners, P.C. 5 Space Use Facilities Master Plan SUNY Genesee Space Assessment The following table shows a more in-depth look at the space use and space need for the three major program areas discussed in this master plan report: Library, Athletics, and Student/Faculty Activity, which refers to student and faculty lounges, organization space, and informal social space. The table shows the existing space in these categories, the calculated space recommendation, and the difference, whether a surplus or deficit. For the categories of Physical Education and Student/Faculty Activity the SUNY System space calculations were used, based on fall FTEs (full time equivalent students). Fall enrollment is usually the highest and will reflect maximum capacity. The Library space recommendation comes from the Council of Education Facilities Planners International (CEFPI) guidelines. SUNY acknowledges that their library space calculation were developed a generation ago, when libraries and the activities that took place in them were very different. The consultants prefer the CEFPI library space recommendations whenever possible, which captures space need for a variety of library materials beyond books and calculates study space requirements based on estimated faculty and student use. The left portion of the chart shows the existing and recommended space in these three categories for the entire college, including the campus centers. All three categories show a deficit of space. Entire College including Campus Centers1: 4601 FTEs Fall 2011 SUNY Genesee Existing Space (sf) Space Recommendation (sf) Batavia Campus excluding High School students: 2362 FTEs Fall 2011 Surplus (Deficit) (sf) Existing Space (sf) Space Recommendation (sf) Surplus (Deficit) (sf) Library 22,834 30,392 (7,558) 22,251 26,192 (3,941) Physical Education 28,907 47,000 (18,093) 28,907 37,000 (8,093) Student/Faculty Activity 27,981 48,310 (20,329) 23,385 24,801 (1,416) 1 Does not include the former Middle School facility in Dansville The right side of the chart looks at the Batavia campus only, and excludes high school students. This provides a more accurate picture of the portion of the student body most likely to use the Library, athletic space, and student/faculty activity space. Even using a smaller number of students, the college still has a shortage of space in these three categories. 6 SUNY Genesee JMZ Architects and Planners, P.C. Space Use Facilities Master Plan Enrollment The Impact of Declining Population Between 2000 and 2010 the State of New York experienced an overall decrease in population. Within the GLOW region, only Livingston County had a population increase, of 1.7%. Genesee, Orleans, and Wyoming Counties had overall population decreases of between half a percent and just under three percent since the 2000 census. This regional dip in population will reduce the number of potential future students, both in terms of future high school class sizes and returning adults. Population Change in the GLOW Region 60,000 50,000 Population 40,000 2000 Census 2010 Census 30,000 -0.5% -2.9% -2.9% +1.7% 20,000 10,000 0 Genesee County Orleans County Wyoming County Livingston County Enrollment Trends Between 2003 and 2009 the overall enrollment at SUNY Genesee has increased by 16%. Since then the rate of increase in enrollment has slowed, but it has not leveled off nor decreased. This is remarkable, as demographic trends have predicted a drop in the collegeage population across the country. In fact, GCC graduated its largest class to date in the spring of 2012. This is not to say that GCC is immune to the national trends. The college’s projected enrollment through 2016 shows a leveling off beginning with the class of 20122013. One reason for GCC’s dramatic growth is that community colleges have historically been “counter-cyclical.” When the economy is weak and there are fewer available jobs students tend to stay in college longer. Displaced workers typically return to community colleges for retraining or to pick up new skills. These factors generate a predictable rise in enrollment each time there is a recession. This phenomenon has offset, at least for the moment, the decreasing population. In addition, community colleges are increasingly becoming the college of choice for students who wish to complete a four-year degree by starting at a twoyear community college. SUNY Genesee JMZ Architects and Planners, P.C. 7 Enrollment Facilities Master Plan Annual FTEs Actual Enrollment SUNY Genesee 5000 4500 4000 Projected Enrollment 4725 4715 4720 4720 4720 4720 2010-11 2011-12 2012-13 2013-14 2014-15 2015-16 4619 3882 3941 2003-04 2004-05 4057 4263 3923 4018 3500 FTE 3000 2500 2000 1500 1000 500 0 2005-06 2006-07 2007-08 2008-09 2009-10 Academic Year At the local level, GCC’s stable enrollment can also be attributed to two factors: the number of high school students taking college courses prior to graduation and the healthy high school capture rate. The charts on the following pages show recent high school class sizes for the four GLOW counties and the number of student going directly to SUNY Genesee from each. Genesee County had the most students enrolling in 2011 at 37.6%, up from 30.3% in 2009. Livingston County has the lowest capture rate in the GLOW region, but this has increased consistently since 2009. Overall, the high school capture rate in Genesee, Livingston, Oreans, and Wyoming Counties has increased from 22.7% in 2009 to 26.9% in 2011, which has helped offset the general decrease in the number of high school graduates. High School School Capture Capture Rates Rate High 40.0% 35.0% 30.0% 25.0% 2009 20.0% 2010 2011 15.0% 10.0% 5.0% 0.0% Genesee 8 Livingston Orleans Wyoming SUNY Genesee JMZ Architects and Planners, P.C. Enrollment Facilities Master Plan The other enrollment factor mentioned above is SUNY Genesee courses taught in the High Schools. SUNY Genesee has the largest cohort of high school students in the SUNY system. The majority of those credits is taken at the local schools, which has the benefit of boosting FTEs without putting much additional pressure on the facility needs of the campuses. Unfortunately, the leveling off or shrinking of high school enrollment will impact these two largest cohorts at GCC - current and recent high school students. Genesee Community College Student Ages All Student Ages 6% 2% 3% 5% 32% Under 18 Age 18-19 8% Age 20-21 Age 22-24 Age 25-29 Age 30-34 8% Age 35-39 Age 40-49 Age 50-64 12% 25% Student Ages All Student Ages Excluding High School Students 8% 6% 3% 2% 3% 5% 5% 32% 32% Under 18 Age 18-19 7% 8% Age 20-21 Age 22-24 Age 25-29 Age 30-34 8% 12% Age 35-39 Age 40-49 Age 50-64 12% 12% SUNY Genesee JMZ Architects and Planners, P.C. 19% 25% 9 Enrollment Facilities Master Plan The Importance of Retention A phrase often heard at community colleges across the state these days is, “Retention is the new recruitment.” GCC’s two-year retention rate has been between 35 and 40 percent since 2004. Three-year retention is roughly the same, and four-year retention increases to between 41 and 48 percent from 2004 to 2006. If other measures of student success are taken into account, such as certificate completion and transfer to a two-year or four-year college, the success rates jump into the 60 percent range, depending on the year. In the past, colleges could expand their enrollments by simply maintaining their historical share of the growing number of high school graduates. The focus was primarily on recruitment. Now that the demographics have shifted from growth to decline, colleges are realizing that enrollments are likely to decline as well. This is particularly true in Upstate New York where the sizes of high school graduating classes have already peaked and are predicted to get smaller for years to come. Colleges are responding to this trend by renewing efforts to increase the share of eligible students they attract. But the colleges recognize how difficult it will be to capture an increasing share of a shrinking pool, especially when all colleges are trying to do the same thing. For this reason student retention has become vital. SUNY Genesee’s continued focus on student success plays a key role in student retention. In a recent report by CNN Money GCC was ranked in the top 100 community colleges in the nation and top in its peer group for student preparation and rate of graduation. GCC was also recognized as one of the top 120 community colleges for rates of retention, performance improvement, graduation, transfer, and equity in completion by the Aspen Institute College Excellence Program. GCC is one of 40 community colleges nationwide chosen to participate in a long-term study that will track college readiness, student progress and completion, job preparation, and employment. High School Graduates GLOW GLOW Region High School Graduates 800 Numberr of High School Graduates 700 600 500 Genesee Livingston Orleans 400 Wyoming 300 200 100 2004 2005 2006 2007 Est. 2008 Proj. 2009 Proj. 2010 Proj. 2011 Proj. 2012 Proj. 2013 Proj. 2014 Proj. 2015 Proj. 2016 Proj. 2017 Proj. 2018 Proj. 2019 Year 10 SUNY Genesee JMZ Architects and Planners, P.C. Facilities Master Plan Enrollment Program Needs Input from Campus Community At the start of the planning process JMZ met with constituent campus groups to gather information in key planning areas. The groups focused on a one-stop center, library/ learning commons, site and landscape, and athletic facilities. JMZ also heard input on all these topics from the President’s Cabinet and the Board of Trustees. Athletic Facilities Focus Group • An indoor practice facility is the top priority • The College would benefit from an expanded fitness center, a training room, team meeting room, classroom, human performance lab, coaches’ offices, storage, and concessions, press box, and toilets at the new turf field • The current locker rooms and the men’s team room need upgrading • The college currently does not have dedicated staff locker rooms or locker Soccer Practice Field facilities for visiting coaches and officials • SUNY Genesee is “a campus that embraces fitness.” • Athletics, recreation, and academic programs share athletic equipment • A new stand-alone facility would be more community-friendly than an addition to the main building • The pros and cons of a multi-purpose vs. a turf field were discussed One-Stop Center Focus Group • The admissions process would be improved with an easy-to-find “front door” • The ideal program array for a one-stop center was discussed • All new students and 50% returning students go through Advisement • Career Services, while a separate department, plays an integral role in the admissions process • SUNY Genesee would like to reduce the barriers for “lukewarm” students; it will be important to maintain the one-on-one component of service • Registrar’s office should be in a central location • A one-stop center can support the completion agenda and retention agenda • The Campus Centers have their own one-stops where advisement is the first stop Library/Learning Commons Focus Group • The Library needs expanded power infrastructure, flexible furniture • A Learning Commons should include a Faculty Center for Excellence and tutoring and technology training space • Students need collaborative study rooms, quiet study space, and noisy study space • Library staff will continue to consolidate the collection and remove shelves • Students need more complex assistance that includes technical help, research help, academic help. There is an interface between Reference, IT, and Tutoring/Writing. • Program for a Learning Commons could include the writing center, learning center, SUNY Genesee JMZ Architects and Planners, P.C. 11 Enrollment Facilities Master Plan math lab, media room, and study rooms. • The Library and Learning Commons needs to have a student-centered approach; technology is not a replacement for interaction • They currently use Chat to communicate with the campus centers, and would benefit from Skype at the reference desk • Food is permitted in the Library • The Library needs secure places for students to put their belongings Site/Landscape Focus Group Alfred O’Connell Library • The College looks more like a business complex than a college campus • The campus entrance needs to be improved • Establish significant site locations that become the “memory makers” • Make welcome points for cars as well as pedestrians • The Crab Apple trees on the berm are dying, and perhaps should be replaced with new trees and flags • The shallow rock ledge on the site makes landscaping difficult • Tie College Village back to the main buildings Board of Trustees • The capacity, condition and safety of parking is a priority • Space on campus should be flexible so that it can be re-designed to meet changing program needs • The College needs swing space • The campus needs storage space • An emergency generator is needed to maintain key systems when the power is down. This will also allow the College to be a place of refuge for the County during emergencies. Main Parking Lot • The College should explore sustainable energy options • The Campus Centers should continue to tailor their programs to the workforce needs of their particular locations • Explore options for the best program mix at the new Dansville campus facility • The Dining facility should be improved President’s Cabinet • More office space is needed, with improved adjacencies • Functional teams are currently spread out • It is important to preserve space that impacts the delivery of education; the quality of the space is vital • The College needs swing space to do renovations; the Campus Centers could serve this purpose 12 SUNY Genesee JMZ Architects and Planners, P.C. Facilities Master Plan • Retention is the new recruitment • The College should improve services to the growing cohort of evening students • The College should provide a 24-hour learning environment for the residential students • Create a Learning Commons and a Faculty Development Center • The physical facilities must be maintained • The campus grounds can be improved, including sustainable site practices and the campus entrances • Program initiatives must make sense for the entire community SUNY Genesee JMZ Architects and Planners, P.C. Enrollment Wolcott J. Humphrey III Student Union 13 Enrollment 14 Facilities Master Plan SUNY Genesee JMZ Architects and Planners, P.C. Facilities Master Plan Enrollment Existing Conditions Approach Evaluating the condition of existing buildings and predicting the amount of renovation and capital maintenance they will require in coming years has always been a significant part of facilities master planning. In the past, SUNY asked campuses to complete a “bottom up” approach by independently evaluating facilities and predicting the investments that would be needed in the coming years. With every college operating on its own timetable and using its own consultants, this approach lacked consistency. The details were good, but the data was not reliable at the system level. The Corridor to the Conable Building After considering a number of alternatives, the State University of New York (SUNY) retained Pacific Partners Consulting Group, Inc. of Stanford, California to develop a “top down” approach that would generate a contemporaneous assessment of building, site, and infrastructure components on 30 community college campuses across the state. Pacific Partners advocated using a Life Cycle Model Based on Current Replacement Value (CRV) approach that is recognized by a number of national organizations and used in seven other higher education systems. The methodology was thus well-established and the results could be benchmarked to other state-wide systems. The Life Cycle Model Based on CRV approach generates a high-level statistical overview of current facility renewal needs, and any accumulated backlog needs based on institutionspecific information, including: the age and type of building and its current condition; average building sub-system life cycles; related infrastructure support requirements; and the current cost of replacement – adjusted for region within the state. The Model uses building system life cycles, current replacement values, and condition assessment information to develop a 50-year forecast of estimated backlog and renewal costs. The model is not designed to address utilization-related variables such as enrollment levels or projected enrollment growth, or the extent of capital renovations needed to address changing academic mission, pedagogy, or goals. In addition, it may not account for other costs related to the implementation of capital maintenance projects, such as the creation of ‘surge’ space that allows sequenced access to buildings under rehabilitation, or the cost of new building elements related to modernizing facilities, such as adding elevators as part of ADA compliance efforts. The overall results of this model are cost forecasts for current capital renewal needs and maintenance backlog, generated by the relative condition and known life cycle of major building components and sub-systems, over a 50-year renewal schedule, for each campus system-wide. This approach relies heavily on building ages and the estimated useful life of various sub-systems. With any statistical model such as this, the accuracy increases as the sampling group gets larger. It provides good data at the system (state) level, but the details for each campus must be verified. SUNY Genesee JMZ Architects and Planners, P.C. 15 Enrollment Facilities Master Plan Methodology The SUNY study began by asking facility administrators at the 30 community colleges to fill out a web-based Building Condition Assessment Survey (BCAS) and estimate renewal and backlog needs. The assessment rated 29 components (excellent, good, fair, poor) within each of the 488 buildings across the system totaling some 18 million gross square feet. Infrastructure and site needs were evaluated with similar thoroughness. Next, a team from the State University Construction Fund visited all of the campuses to review the preliminary assessments and “norm” the results. The data were incorporated into the Pacific Partners’ proprietary Facility Renewal Resource Model. System-wide Results The model estimated that the current replacement value (CRV) for the community college system as a whole was $8.4 billion, including $7.3 for buildings and $1.1 billion for supporting infrastructure. It predicted a $411 million backlog of deferred capital maintenance, including $267 million for building system renovations and $144 million for renewal of supporting infrastructure. On average, this means that approximately 4% of the system’s current replacement value was beyond its useful life, and therefore considered to be in “backlog.” From its experience with other systems, Pacific Partners advised that the optimum level is 5% or under. The SUNY community college system was judged to have the lowest backlog of the peer institutions they considered. Results for SUNY Genesee SUNY Genesee owns a total of ten buildings, a total of 368,570 gross square feet of space. Current replacement value of the campus buildings and infrastructure was estimated at $160 million. The backlog of deferred capital maintenance was estimated at $4.8 million. This assessment reflects the fact that the primary driver of the model is the age of facilities, and 73% of the College’s space is more than 30 years old. Nevertheless, the college was judged by SUNY to be in better shape than more than half of New York‘s community colleges. The Facilities Conditions Index (FCI) for SUNY Genesee is .03, which indicates that the College’s backlog of building and infrastructure work equals 3% of the total current replacement value. Any institution with an FCI below .05 is considered by the state to be in very good condition. Despite limited resources, the College and its county sponsors have been good stewards of their facilities when compared to their peers within New York State. This means that as GCC contemplates capital spending projects it can afford to look forward to new initiatives rather than investing all of their resources to address years of deferred maintenance. 16 SUNY Genesee JMZ Architects and Planners, P.C. Facilities Master Plan Enrollment Consultant’s Approach As noted above, the SUNY approach provides good data at the system level, but the details for each campus are not as reliable. JMZ met with Tim Landers, Director of Buildings and Grounds, to discuss specific areas where the BCAS report and actual building and system conditions varied significantly, and to review the status of critical maintenance projects. The Main Building, constructed in 1972, has reached “middle age.” Although some areas, such as the Library, have undergone substantial renovations, many of the mechanical, electrical and plumbing systems date from the original construction. Tim Landers was able to provide specific building and infrastructure needs, which are described in the “Master Plan” section of this report. Facility improvements that are not program driven, such as replacement of boilers, contribute to the continuing stewardship of GCC and provide opportunities to increase energy efficiency. SUNY Genesee JMZ Architects and Planners, P.C. Patio between Conable and the Main Building 17 The Master Plan 18 Facilities Master Plan SUNY Genesee JMZ Architects and Planners, P.C. Facilities Master Plan The Master Plan The Master Plan Every master plan is developed in a different context. JMZ has prepared and updated the SUNY Genesee facilities master plan several times since 1997. Previous documents addressed the needs of a growing college and led to the construction of the Conable Technology Building in 2000 and the Wolcott J. Humphrey III Student Union in 2005, among other projects. Now that the demographic bulge of students - termed the “baby boomlet” or “echo boom” – has come and gone and the College’s enrollment has begun to level off, the focus of this master plan has shifted to facilities that support recruitment, retention, and student success. The projects envisioned in this plan will be vital to the future economic health of the College as it grapples with the combined pressures of reduced funding and a downward trend in population. The Student Success Agenda Community colleges are inclusive. Indeed, their policy of open admissions is a uniquely American invention that has given many millions of students a leg up on their futures. Community colleges are also comprehensive in nature, offering programs designed for transfer to a four-year (upper division) institution as well as technical training in a chosen field. Because of this breadth they attract a wide variety of students with differing levels of preparation and different expectations. It is hard to define success. In the fall of 2011 the American Association of Community Colleges, the Association of State Colleges and Universities, and three other higher education associations announced a national Commission on Higher Education Attainment. The The Clock Tower Commission was formed in response to President Obama’s call for the United States to have the highest level of post-secondary education in the world by 2020. The topics of focus for the Commission were: • The changing nature of students seeking a degree or credential • The ability of higher education to attract, retain, and graduate the increasing number of adults seeking a degree or credential • The current capacity of higher education to accommodate the large number of students who will need to enroll if we are to increase the number of graduates • The opportunities to increase efficiency and enhance productivity in meaningful ways In New York the SUNY Chancellor has made a call to strengthen the collaboration between campuses and New York businesses and industrial sectors, and to enrich SUNY’s presence in the communities. Governor Cuomo’s NYS Works agenda emphasizes the essential role SUNY Genesee JMZ Architects and Planners, P.C. 19 The Master Plan Facilities Master Plan of education and workforce development, and the need to coordinate this with a “demand driven” approach through regional councils. Planning Objectives Early in the planning process JMZ met with campus groups, the President’s Cabinet, and the Board of Trustees to discuss priorities for this Master Plan. Much of this feedback fell into four categories. These became the Planning Objectives and helped to guide the overall process. In many cases the initiatives/needs fell into more than one category. The Planning Objectives are: • Promoting Student Success. College enrollment has leveled off nationally. Some graduating high school classes in the GLOW region are predicted to grow over the next few years, but not significantly overall. Community Colleges must compete for fewer students in a climate of reduced funding opportunities. Promoting student success is the key to student retention; retention can be considered the new recruitment. A large number of the master plan needs support the College’s student success agenda, from a Library/Learning Commons, to simplifying the admissions process, upgrading the facilities, and supporting student and faculty wellness. • Partnering with the Community. Genesee continues to be engaged with the County. Partnering with the community can be tied to specific facility initiatives that impact recruitment, such as Admissions and Athletics. Infrastructure upgrades will allow the college to play a larger role in disaster relief for the County. • Celebrating Place. Celebrating place recognizes the special place Genesee has in the GLOW region and beyond. The Master Plan initiatives that celebrate place include creating contemplative places on the campus, improving the college entrance, and providing common student space in the buildings. Developing the campus grounds into a park-like setting open to the public will serve students and community members alike. • Maintaining Facilities. Ongoing maintenance is costly but necessary if the other planning objectives are to be successful. Upgrading the existing systems and infrastructure should also take sustainability into account. The initiatives in this category include interior upgrades, central boiler replacement, and parking and site improvements. The four Planning Objectives complement the overall intent of SUNY Genesee’s Strategic Plan that was adopted in 2011. The Strategic Plan outlines six goals: faculty and staff success, economic impact, relevant and impactful programs, culture of trust and innovation, and financial sustainability. The Planning Objectives support the Strategic Plan where the six goals intersect with campus facilities. The table on the following page is the Master Plan Summary of Initiatives. The initiatives are broken into four groups: Program Needs, Facility Improvements, Site Improvements, and Proposed New Facilities. An “x” appears to the right of each project when it address a specific Planning Objective. Some projects are closely related and could be done at the same time. These are connected by arrows in the left column. 20 SUNY Genesee JMZ Architects and Planners, P.C. Summary of Initiatives July 2012 Planning Objectives Promoting Partnering Celebrating Maintaining Student with the Place Facilities Success Community Location Comments Program Needs Bridges: soft seating, table and chair options, upgraded power, upgraded lighting, possible coffee counter at one location. Provide common space x x x Library upgrades x x x Learning Commons x 1) Former Administration space 2) Stage and part of Forum Faculty Center for Excellence x Learning Commons Cafeteria/kitchen renovation x Admissions/One‐Stop Center x Expand fitness center x Use adjacent former women's locker room. Re‐unite splintered departments, for example, Tech Services x Must identify swing space and ideal adjacencies Must identify swing space and ideal adjacencies Vet‐tech department space x x x Expand power availability for device plug‐in; renovate copy center for Library use; renovate existing media room Relocate Administration to C Building 2nd Floor. 1) Expand into Faculty Lounge. 2) Expand into Faculty Lounge and part of Childcare if Wellness and Events Center is built 1) Current location on 2nd floor 2) Former Administrative space 3) Relocate to new Student Success Center x Identify other similar opportunities/locations. Relocate Administration to C Building 2nd Floor. Look at the smaller scale moves after the large concepts are determined Laboratory space and proximity to animals needed. Facility Improvements x Install revolving doors at one end of the corridor x x Refinish floor; update lighting x x Address Conable "winter wind tunnel" Forum finish upgrades Reconfigure Main Building entrance x x Emergency power x x x Possible tie‐in to the boiler upgrades x Tie Center for the Arts into Main Building system; explore co‐ generation; possible tie‐in to emergency generator. x Look for sustainable options. Replace Art Center and Main Building Roof x Explore green roof option, may incorporate an educational component. Replace skylights x Flashing repair at base of Art Center walls x Build Conditioned storage space x 1) Wellness and Events Center 2) Stand‐alone facility x Incorporate an improved entry sequence into renovated parking lot; Primary and secondary entrances from College reconfigure campus roads; coordinate with future facility locations Road. and other site initiatives. Boiler replacement Upgrade campus ventilation x Main Building Site Improvements x Campus entrance reconfiguration and upgrade x Resurface and reconfigure parking lot x May phase the parking lot work; link to overall campus circulation and site plan, including siting of future facilities. Exterior Lighting upgrades x Coordinate with site and parking plan, emphasize safety and energy efficiency. Nature trail expansion; establish "forever wild" zone x x x Gazebo or pavilion; contemplative spaces x x x x Establish no‐mow and low‐mow zones Establish outdoor recycling facility x x Re‐establish Earth Club Garden x x Athletic Field upgrades x x x x x Thruway sign beautification x x x See concept Site Plan Include an educational component through signage. Identify site location(s). Coordinate with campus trails. See concept Site Plan Include an educational component through signage. Identify site location. Include an educational component through signage. Identify site location. Include an educational component through signage. Explore options. Four soccer field and softball field improvements; lighting at baseball field and one Research options, cost, and location. soccer field; bleachers at baseball field Proposed New Facilities Wellness and Events Center Field house with flexible practice and event space, childcare, fitness center, locker rooms, offices, storage. x x Student Success Center Admissions and One‐Stop center, Career Services, Foundation/Alumni Relations, Public Safety. x x Impact: 1) Frees up to 7,660 NASF in the Main Building by relocating childcare, P/E offices, Campus Security, and the existing fitness room. North side of parking lot between softball field 2) Provides campus event space within the field house, utilize all‐ and tennis courts. purpose flooring or temporary turf protection. 3) Locate Learning Commons and Faculty Center for Excellence in the Forum/Stage. 4) Program options for former Childcare space include Kitchen/Dining and Admissions. Impact: 1) Frees up to 7,800 NASF in the Main Building by relocating Admissions, Continuing Education, Counseling, Financial Aid, Placement, Registrar, Student Affairs, and Deans of Instruction, East end of the parking lot, create a gateway Students, and Administration building and a defined quad. 2) Business Office remains in current location 3) Relocate Administration to C Building second floor. 4) Locate Learning Commons and Faculty Center for Excellence in the former Administration space. Facilities Master Plan Proposed Projects Master Plan Recommendations The projects presented in this Master Plan respond to the charges made by the SUNY Chancellor, Governor, and the President, and the fiscal and demographic challenges faced by community colleges across the state. The proposed Student Success Center will provide the community with single point of access to career counseling, admissions, financial aid, transfer services, and continuing education. The Learning Commons will enhance academic support by bringing together tutoring, library services, and technology training. Both projects will be key factors in recruitment and retention. The proposed Wellness and Events Center will support the College’s academic wellness curriculum, provide an indoor practice space for sports teams, and create an events space for groups from across the County. All the initiatives contribute to the Planning Objectives: Promoting Student Success, Partnering with the Community, Celebrating Place, and Maintaining Facilities. Wellness and Events Center The 2007 Facilities Master Plan Update presented a concept for a Community Wellness Center, intended to be integrated with stadium seating for a turf field. The college built the turf field in 2010 but due to funding limitations did not build the field house. However, the need remained and the concept and location have been updated in this master plan. During planning meetings for this Facilities Master Plan the Athletic department cited an indoor practice facility as their number one priority. The late and often unpredictable spring weather forces sports teams to begin training indoors or put it off until improved weather. The College also needs event space that is larger, more flexible, and with better access to parking than their current venue, the Forum. The existing fitness center, as described above, is undersized. Finally, the College should leverage their investment in the new turf field with amenities such as toilets, concessions, and a changing room for officials that can serve events. The concept for the Wellness and Events Center is to create a multi-use facility that meets the needs of a campus that embraces fitness, provides greater event opportunities, and provides quality space for existing departments currently located in the Main Building. This last item will free space that can be devoted to academic and student life functions. Both Childcare and Campus Security would benefit from being located in the new Wellness and Events Center. Childcare will have direct access to the field house space and an outdoor play area, with a dedicated drop-off space in the parking lot. Security will be located on the main floor near Childcare, have access to the locker room and fitness facilities, and quick access to the parking lot. The proposed building would be pre-engineered for the field house portion to save costs. SUNY Genesee JMZ Architects and Planners, P.C. 21 Facilities Master Plan Proposed Program: Field house 18,000 NASF (Net Assignable Square Feet) Storage (including loft storage) 5,500 Locker rooms/toilets 6,200 Fitness center 3,200 Classroom (one large or two small) 1,120 Human Performance Lab 1,000 Coaches/PE faculty office suite 1,300 Officials’ changing room 135 Concessions 350 Taping room with office 375 Lobby office with ticket booth 400 Childcare 4,700 Campus Security 740 TOTAL43,000 NASF The construction of this building will free 7,660 NASF in the Main Building. This will enable other master plan projects, including: expanding food service and dining; relocating Admissions to the first floor of “B” Building near the main entrance (if the student success center is not built); re-organizing the remaining “One-Stop” departments in their current location; building the Learning Commons on the stage and part of the Forum, and consolidating splintered departments in the remaining free space. Second Floor First Floor 22 SUNY Genesee JMZ Architects and Planners, P.C. Facilities Master Plan Wellness and Events Center Main Entrance JMZ Architects and Planners, P.C. Facilities Master Plan Wellness and Events Center Looking North from the Parking Lot JMZ Architects and Planners, P.C. Facilities Master Plan Student Success Center The Concept behind the Student Success Center is a one-stop gateway building where new students and returning students can find most administrative services under one roof. A key component will be co-locating Admissions, Registrar, Financial Aid, Placement, Transfer Services, and Career Services. This is part of the College’s strategy for recruitment and retention that emphasizes a wholistic approach to helping students with the administrative steps required to enter and stay at the College. At a time when enrollment at community colleges has dropped or leveled off across the state, retention is more important than ever. Often students with the desire to stay in school have trouble negotiating financial aid, counseling, and placement. GCC has recognized the importance of providing a high level of service in these areas, and has made great strides despite the constraints of the existing facilities. The Student Success Center will provide a single location where cross-trained staff can take service and outreach to the next level, ideally improving retention and attainment. Locating Transfer Services with Counseling, Career Services, and Financial Aid will improve recruitment for another important cohort, transfer students. The Chronicle of Higher Education cites a recent study that states that one-third of all college students will switch institutions at least once before earning a degree. Community colleges are increasingly becoming the first choice for students who intend to complete a four-year degree by beginning at a community college. Students are also transferring from one two-year institution to another. Among students who transfer from community colleges, about 38% end up at other two-year public institutions. There is also a growing trend known as “reverse transfers.” These are students who start out at a four-year college and transfer to a community college. The reasons vary: students do it for financial reasons; out of a desire to earn a more practical degree in a tight job market; or because their four-year institution was not a good “fit.” Community colleges often have smaller class sizes and offer evening courses. Roughly half of transfers from public four-year institutions move to public two-year institutions. Finally, the Student Success Center would become the front door for returning adult students. At a time when workforce needs are changing across the state the College needs to position itself as a source of career guidance for those who would like, or are forced, to change careers. As GCC’s Vice President for Student and Enrollment Services has pointed out, Career Services is becoming just as important during the enrollment process as after graduation. Often adult learners arrive at the College knowing that they would like additional education but with no specific knowledge about degree and career opportunities. The proposed building would be sited to the west of the Main Building, creating a true campus quad, and will provide wind protection for the entrance courtyard. The main entrance facing the parking lot will be transparent, welcoming, and will provide a clear destination for first-time visitors to the campus. There would be a second level connection to the Conable Technology Building. The floor areas for the new building are not broken down by department at this time. The vision of the College is to re-organize the departments with an emphasis on student contact and staff cross-training that would focus on flexibility of service. SUNY Genesee JMZ Architects and Planners, P.C. 23 Facilities Master Plan Proposed Program: Admissions Continuing Education Counseling Financial Aid Placement Registrar Student Affairs Transfer Services Deans of Instruction, Students, Administration Career Services Total 9,000 NASF (Net Assignable Square Feet) The construction of this building will free 7,800 of Net Assignable Square Feet in the Main Building. This will enable other master plan projects, including: relocating Administration to the second floor of “C” Building, creating the Learning Commons in the former Administrative space, and consolidating splintered departments in the remaining free space. First Floor 24 Second Floor SUNY Genesee JMZ Architects and Planners, P.C. Facilities Master Plan Student Success Center Looking South JMZ Architects and Planners, P.C. Facilities Master Plan Student Success Center and Bridge to Conable Looking North JMZ Architects and Planners, P.C. Facilities Master Plan Commons Space for Students Creating student lounge and study spaces may be considered “low-hanging fruit” in that they carve usable student space out of the existing buildings with relatively low capital investment. In most cases this simply involves new finishes, furniture, and electrical upgrades. Students increasingly carry laptops and other devices that require power. The buildings were never designed with the plug-in locations that students now need, and demand will only increase. Informal common space is vital to the quality of student life on a campus, especially a commuter campus where students need a place to call “home” between classes. Often the Library or Cafeteria serves this purpose. However, small “nooks and crannies” around campus where students can plug in their devices to study or work with classmates make efficient use of every square foot of the facilities, add to the sense of place, and encourage collaboration among students. An example of this kind of space is the wide corridors that connect the wings of the Main Building, known as the “bridges.” With modest upgrades these areas can become hubs for students outside the classroom. Typical “Bridge” “Bridge” with furnishings Library Upgrades The Alfred O’Connell Library staff does not expect the Library’s future collection to increase; rather, current space needs come from the students’ work needs. The Library has run out of space for special programs, events, and instruction. And while the main reading area is beautiful and well-used, students also need private study rooms for collaborative work. The existing copy center, located within the footprint of the Library, can be relocated and renovated for Library use. The existing media center can be updated to provide space for group work or library programs such as readings or presentations. Finally, electrical service should be extended, providing greater plan flexibility and giving students more places to plug in their devices. There is not enough room in the existing Library for a Learning Commons. Options for a Learning Commons adjacent to the Library are described below. Learning Commons/Faculty Center for Excellence The Learning Commons will be a key component of student support and academic success, and will help the College achieve its goals of improving retention and graduation rates. There is a higher demand than ever for remedial services as well as media and research SUNY Genesee JMZ Architects and Planners, P.C. 25 Facilities Master Plan skills training. The vision for the Learning Commons would bring the Tutoring Center, Assistive Learning Lab, Testing Center, collaborative study facilities, and a new Center for Faculty Excellence together in one place. The resources and services provided in the Learning Commons and Library would complement each other. It will be important for staff and students to move freely between the Library and the Learning Commons when both are open. At the same time, the Library will be able to control the collection and the Learning Commons can continue to serve students as general study space after Library hours. This is becoming increasingly important with the number of evening courses offered, and to serve residential students. There are three proposed options for the Learning Commons: In Option 1 the Learning Commons occupies the former Administration space. It assumes the Student Success Center is built, which will free the offices where Admissions, the Registrar, and Advisement are currently located. Administration, with the exception of the business office, would move into that space on the second floor of “C” Building so that the Learning Commons can then be located adjacent to the Library. This scheme provides the most area, 5,600 square feet, for the Learning Commons, and gives it a prominent location adjacent to the Forum. Library locates the Learning Commons in part of the Forum. It assumes the Wellness and Events Center is built, which would provide a place for events that are currently being held in the Forum. In this option the Learning Commons will be about 4,800 square feet and will be delineated by new partition walls on the stage and the main level of the Forum. Option 2 Library 26 SUNY Genesee JMZ Architects and Planners, P.C. Facilities Master Plan can be implemented immediately. It does not require the completion of either of the proposed buildings, and is the most modest in terms of size, 3,400 square feet. The Learning Commons also occupies the stage in this option, but does not include new construction in the Forum. Rather, a portion of the Forum is used as an open study area, similar to the furnishing scheme proposed at the Bridges. Option 3 Library Dining Hall/Kitchen Renovation While the snack bar in the Student Union provides an alternative food venue for GCC students, the main cafeteria remains one of the most active student spaces on campus. There is increasing demand on the kitchen during peak times and for special events. Through the years the campus food service industry has evolved from the traditional cafeteria line to “RFoC” dining (Real Food on Campus), which resembles a mall food court. The concept provides a variety of freshly prepared choices at different stations with a layout that enables students to see all their choices before getting in line. existing seating food service existing staff lounge SUNY Genesee JMZ Architects and Planners, P.C. existing childcare 27 Facilities Master Plan There are three proposed options for dining: In Option 1 the Wellness and Events Center is constructed and Childcare relocates. That square footage and the adjacent staff lounge can be used to expand the Kitchen/ food delivery service and create a special dining room off of the main seating area. This new dining room could flex back and forth between general seating and meeting and club space. If the Student Success Center is also constructed the dining area can be expanded to the west, bringing in natural light and providing a variety of seating areas with access to the outside. In Option 2 only the Wellness and Events Center is built. Childcare moves out but the One-Stop functions on the second floor remain. In this scenario the expanded seating area is not as large, and Admissions is moved to the first floor. This places Admissions at the “front door” of the College and frees some space on the second floor of “C” Building for the other One-Stop departments to expand. The Staff Lounge can be used to expand the food service/preparation area. Net Space gain will be approximately 2,400 square feet. In Option 3 the Student Success Center is built but not the Wellness and Events Center. In this case food service is expanded into the existing Staff Lounge, for a gain of approximately 790 square feet. Childcare remains in place and no other expansion is possible. existing seating food service special dining existing seating special food dining service admissions existing seating food service existing childcare 28 SUNY Genesee JMZ Architects and Planners, P.C. Facilities Master Plan Expand the Fitness Center A rule of thumb for campus fitness centers is to program one square foot per FTE. Looking at only the Batavia Campus population, the college would need a fitness center of at least 2,360 square feet. The existing fitness center is 1,315 square feet. The College can expand the fitness center immediately into the adjacent former women’s locker room, which will increase it to 2,345 square feet. While 44% larger than the current fitness center, it barely meets the minimum target for space, and does not factor in faculty and staff use or increased enrollment. The program for the proposed Wellness and Events Center includes a 3,000 square foot fitness center. Re-unite Departments Splintered departments are natural consequences of growth on a college campus. GCC’s lack of swing space has made it difficult to prioritize the location and adjacencies of faculty and staff offices. The two new building initiatives in this master plan will free between 3,000 and 6,000 square feet of space within the Main Building. At that point the college should seize the opportunity to bring dispersed department members together and make the overall juxtaposition of academic departments more coherent. Forum Finish Upgrades Cosmetic upgrades to the Forum, especially the floor, were recommended in the previous master plan. The College should refinish the Forum floor, replace the light poles with contemporary energy efficient models, and consider new finishes at the high walls and the ceilings. The Forum Reconfigure the Main Building Entrance The current entrance off the front courtyard was never intended to the be the primary Main Building entrance. This occurred by default when the ramps were removed. Nevertheless, the Main Building entrance is underwhelming. The existing entrance should be reconfigured to be more visible and welcoming. Interior renovations at that location are limited by of the existing stair tower; however, if a new entrance provided a thermal vestibule on the exterior of the building, the entrance corridor can be improved by removing some non-structural elements. SUNY Genesee JMZ Architects and Planners, P.C. Existing Main Building Entrance 29 Facilities Master Plan Emergency Power Generation and Distribution The campus currently relies on a 300kW diesel generator for its emergency power source. It was installed during the construction of the Center for the Arts, and was intended to serve that building alone. Subsequently, other campus loads have been added to the generator. A 2004 study of the generator and emergency power system on the Batavia campus pointed out deficiencies that have prevented expanding the emergency power system for critical systems. Updating and expanding the emergency power capacity of the campus buildings will allow GCC to expand its role as an emergency shelter for the residents of Genesee County. This need was stated by the Board of Trustees during planning meetings. Boiler Replacement The Batavia campus uses Paterson Kelley Thermific hot water boilers for its domestic, pool, and climate heating needs. The original six boilers were installed in the mid 1980s. These boilers require an increasing amount of time and money to maintain. The most straight forward solution is to replace the six units with three modulating condensing water boilers with a higher operating efficiency. This has been included in the budget estimate. With further research the College may wish to consider a cogeneration or tri-generation solution that uses micro turbines and absorption chillers. With this type of system, a portion of the campus electricity would be produced on site, which could power the campus emergency circuits. The system would be constructed with a 30%-50% reserve capacity to allow for system maintenance and reliability. The generating capacity would be sized to meet the required thermal heating and cooling loads for the campus. A study could determine shortand long-term cost implications of this approach. Campus Ventilation Systems The ventilation fan motors on campus are original to the construction of the buildings. The building controls for these systems were installed in the mid to late 1980s. The old motors should be replaced with more efficient motors with variable frequency drives to control the fan speeds based on zone demand. Variable air flow technology should be used to control the air flow to designated spaces based on demand. The building control system should be replaced to allow efficient control of the updated system. Roofs The roofs on the main building and the Center for the Arts were designed to last 15 years and are now over 20 years old. They require increased annual maintenance and should be replaced with light colored energy efficient roofing systems. Skylights The exterior surface of the main skylights in Buildings B, C, and D are starting to delaminate. The College’s maintenance program includes cleaning the surface every year and coating the exterior of the skylights with a preservative every two years. Despite this upkeep there are several weak spots developing in the surface due to delamination. The skylights should be replaced with energy efficient units. Flashing Repair The Center for the Arts building has water infiltration. Repair involves removing bricks at the base of the exterior wall and repairing or replacing the through-wall flashing. 30 SUNY Genesee JMZ Architects and Planners, P.C. Facilities Master Plan Build Conditioned Storage Space As the college has grown it has displaced many of the storage areas that were included in the original construction. This is a need that was cited as far back as the 1997 Facilities Master Plan update. As the campus has continued to grow, storage space in the Main Building has been converted to program space. Buildings and Grounds urgently needs conditioned storage space. The Wellness and Events building concept includes general campus storage. If it is not built, the College should construct a pre-engineered building of approximately 6,000 gross square feet to meet storage needs. Renovate Parking Lots and Campus Entrance The original Main Building entrances were via ramps to the second floor, and the parking aisle direction was based on the intended flow of pedestrians to the north and south edges of the parking lot. The ramps have been removed completely and pedestrians now walk directly east-west. As a result, the direction of the parking aisles should be reoriented. In addition, the original parking lot infrastructure has deteriorated over the years. The parking lot surface is cracked and requires more money each year to patch. The thickness of the pavement and the depth of the base do not comply with Department of Transportation specifications for parking lots. Several catch basins have been repaired and the remaining basins will probably require similar repairs within the next several years. Some of the curbs have sections missing and need to be replaced. Parking lot upgrades should be done in conjunction with an over-all site plan that includes an improved entry sequence. The main parking lot should be redesigned to include proper infrastructure, orientation, and plantings that provide shade and improve the campus aesthetic. Create No-Mow Zones The overall campus plan envisions areas of intensive landscaping associated with the new parking lot layout and the proposed new buildings. This is appropriate in the well-used parts of campus and contributes to an overall sense of place. At the edges of campus it is more sustainable, both ecologically and in terms of campus resources, to minimize site maintenance through no-mow zones. Storm water “best management” practices and “low impact” designs mimic the hydrology of a natural landscape. Naturalized swales provide water retention, run-off water quality treatment, wildlife habitat, aesthetics, and do not require the maintenance of a lawn. In SUNY Genesee JMZ Architects and Planners, P.C. 31 Facilities Master Plan naturalized extended detention basins water is held for longer periods of time (i.e. “extended”) and the basin is allowed to drain completely. These meadow areas take a few years and some active management, such as removal of invasive weeds and annual mowing, to get established. Pedagogical elements should be key components of these strategies. Exterior Lighting The campus should replace the existing exterior lighting with energy efficient units. Some of the existing lighting has already been replaced with LED fixtures, leading to improved lighting in these areas and decreased energy consumption. This work should be done in conjunction with other parking lot upgrades. Athletic Field Upgrades Upgrading the College’s grass fields appeared in the previous master plan. The shallow bedrock on the campus makes these fields “hard” and difficult to maintain. If the five existing fields - four soccer fields and a softball field - are refurbished they will be of more use to the College’s teams, summer camps, and local soccer leagues. The turf field and the baseball field will probably also see increased use with the addition of lighting and bleachers at the baseball field. If the College can no longer use the local minor league field for baseball in the future, this will give them a suitable replacement as well as a game venue for the rest of the community. Other Site Improvements There are a number of small site improvement projects that will contribute to a sense of place on the campus and reinforce the values of fitness and sustainable practices. These are projects that might be funded by the Genesee Community College Foundation or completed using volunteers from the community. They include: • Expand the campus nature trails to encourage year-round fitness activities; these trails can be coordinated with the no-mow zones • Create contemplative spaces and outdoor destinations around campus using benches, gazebos, and plantings • Re-establish the Earth-Club garden • Establish an outdoor recycling facility • Explore new designs for the Thruway sign, including moving the sign onto College property, and creating an installation that is easier to maintain • Establish a “forever wild” zone on campus 32 SUNY Genesee JMZ Architects and Planners, P.C. Improved Entrance G F B C E A D Facilities Master Plan Buildings Concept Plan Existing Buildings A - Main Building B - Genesee Center for the Arts C - Conable Technology Building D - Wolcott J. Humphrey III Student Union E - Rosalie “Roz” Steiner Art Gallery Proposed Buildings F - Student Success Center G - Wellness and Events Center JMZ Architects and Planners, P.C. Expanded Nature Trails Gazebo Gazebo Renovated Softball Field No-Mow Zone New Lights and Bleachers Community Garden No-Mow Zone No-Mow Zone (4) Renovated Fields Gazebo No-Mow Zone Facilities Master Plan Site Concept Plan JMZ Architects and Planners, P.C. Facilities Master Plan Project Budgets Capital improvements at community colleges in New York are traditionally funded in equal part by the State University of New York (SUNY) and the local sponsor, in this case the County of Genesee. The planning consultants have identified 30 individual projects that could be completed in the next ten years. They range in cost from a few thousand dollars to over $12.1 million for the Wellness and Events Center. Some of the smaller projects can be done with the College’s operating budget or through the Foundation, which has expressed an interest in funding some of the site initiatives. Because detailed information about the scope of these projects is not yet known, the consultants have added a design and construction contingency to the estimated construction costs. Additional “soft” costs, such as testing and fees, bring this to 35%. The State University Construction Fund uses similar percentages during the planning phase of a project. All estimates are presented in current dollars and will need to be escalated to keep pace with future increases in construction costs. In recent years inflation has been very low due to the recession. As the economy recovers an escalation percentage should be applied to the budget estimate, however, it is not possible to predict what that percentage should be. It is also important to recognize that some of these estimates are certain to prove high, while others may be inadequate when the actual scope of work is determined. The planners recommend commissioning detailed “program studies” for the larger projects before fixing their budgets. They also suggest that the sponsor grant substantial flexibility to the college administration during implementation to be sure the overall objectives of the master plan are met. Colleges rarely have the resources to complete all the projects recommended in a master plan. Over the next ten years the SUNY Genesee administration and the local sponsor will prioritize projects; some will be completed and others will carry over to the next master plan. The budget estimate on the following pages describes projects without an order or time line. SUNY Genesee JMZ Architects and Planners, P.C. 33 Facilities Master Plan Project Number Master Plan Budget Estimate A1 Project $24,255 $93,600 $204,300 $71,505 $275,805 Renovate and reconfigure existing Administrative offices into a Learning Commons including tutoring, group study, Faculty Center for Excellence; Reconfigure corridor connection between Library and Learning Commons $614,700 $215,145 $829,845 Dining Hall and Kitchen Expansion Expand and renovate the kitchen and portion of Dining area to include part of the existing childcare space and the Faculty Lounge $744,000 $260,400 $1,004,400 $189,000 $66,150 $255,150 $81,000 $28,350 $109,350 $663,300 $232,155 $895,455 $53,500 $18,725 $72,225 $1,022,040 $357,714 $1,379,754 $49,500 $17,325 $66,825 $100,000 $35,000 $135,000 $1,384,500 $484,575 $1,869,075 $3,025,000 $1,058,750 $4,083,750 $4,089,600 $1,431,360 $5,520,960 $1,330,000 $465,500 $1,795,500 $30,000 $10,500 $40,500 $600,000 $210,000 $810,000 $1,776,000 $621,600 $2,397,600 Library Upgrades Reconfigure Library entrance, relocate copy center and renovate for Library use, renovate existing media room A3 Learning Commons/Faculty Center for Excellence Admissions Relocate Admissions to portion of the former Childcare space A6 A7 One-Stop Renovate and reconfigure former Admissions space for remaining One-Stop Departments New Administration Space Renovate and reconfigure former One-Stop space for Administration A8 Expand Fitness Center Short-term expansion of existing fitness center into adjacent locker room A9 Total Cost $69,300 A2 A5 35% Fees, Equipment, & Contingencies Common Space Provide finishes, furniture, lighting and power at building "bridges" A4 Project Cost Consolidate splintered departments Relocate faculty offices within the available space in the Main Building after the construction of the Wellness and Events Center. Relocate faculty offices within the available space in the Main Building after the construction of the Student Success Center A10 Forum Finish Upgrades Refurbish the Forum floor, new lighting A11 Main Building Entrance Reconfigure the Main Building entrance to include a new glass vestibule A12 Emergency Power Upgrade New emergency generator per M/E Engineering 2004 study A13 Boiler Replacement Replace existing aging boilers; tie Art Center into new main campus boilers A14 Upgrade Campus Ventilation System New controls, motors with variable frequency drives , VAV boxes A15 Replace Art Center and Main Building Roof Replace roofs with new energy efficient systems A16 Replace Art Center Flashing Replace through-wall flashing at the base of the Art Center Theater wall A17 Reconfigure Vehicular Campus Entrance Widen campus entrance, create new turning lane, planted island, sign A18 Resurface and Reconfigure Parking Lot New asphalt base and topping, new layout including islands and trees, new striping; new energy-efficient parking lot lighting A19 Expand Nature Trails Provide clearing and signage for new trails through campus woods/meadows 34 Foundation SUNY Genesee JMZ Architects and Planners, P.C. Project Number Facilities Master Plan Project A20 Create No-Mow Zones Establish annual maintenance plan for no-mow meadows on campus; include educational signage and split-rail fencing at areas to be determined Project Cost $20,000 35% Fees, Equipment, & Contingencies Total Cost $7,000 $27,000 $1,100,274 $385,096 $1,485,370 $96,000 $33,600 $129,600 $10,258,000 $3,590,300 $13,848,300 $3,842,000 $1,344,700 $5,186,700 A21 Site Amenities Build two gazebos and provide benches around campus Foundation A22 Athletic Field Upgrades Refurbish four existing grass soccer fields and one softball field A23 Replace Main Building Skylights Replace skylights with new, energy-efficient units A24 New Wellness and Events Center New Field House, campus Security, childcare, fitness center, classroom, human performance lab, offices and conference room, ticket office, concessions, locker rooms and toilet rooms A25 New Student Success Center One-Stop Center: Admissions, Transfer Services, Counseling, Dean of Students, Dean of Instruction, Developmental Center, Financial Aid, Placement, Registrar; Career Services; bridge to Conable Building A26 Commission Landscape Master Plan $40,000 A27 Update Facilities Master Plan in 2017-2018 $150,000 Total Master Plan Budget Estimate SUNY Genesee JMZ Architects and Planners, P.C. $42,501,764 35