A neighborhood vacant lot can be a vehicle for teaching children about architecture and community planning. A Portland, Oregon, teacher explains how studying the lot can involve exploring neighborhood history, gathering data on local needs, and designing an appropriate building. (PP)

A program to reduce energy consumption and limit fuel expenditures at the University of Melbourne involved a study of consumption and facility usage, installation of a central energy monitoring system, and a university and public relations effort to enlist student and staff help. (MSE)

The relationships between demographic trends, student characteristics (age, ethnic background, marital status), enrollment trends, and demand for on-campus and off-campus housing are examined. Effects of availability of housing on enrollment are also discussed. Institutional policy implications are outlined. (MSE)

Research dealing with the design of the school physical environment and its effect on stress in students and teachers is examined. The design of both the school's overall environment and the individual classrooom unit may affect student and teacher attitudes and student achievement. (PP)

An Exxon-sponsored project at Berkeley on architectural design with the handicapped user in mind is described. Handicapped people are used as a resource in teaching an architectural design course. Physical disability and architectural access are seen as meaningless unless taught within a context of human experience. (MLW)

The design of new public library buildings is influenced by a changing information environment. This article describes the impact of information technology (IT) and community attitudes and expectations on public library planning and design. Outlines considerations for building design: location, identity, symbolism, ambiance, accessibility, size,…

Considers four principal topics from the perspective of faculty/librarian relations: (1) the library's enhanced capacity to identify and acquire information; (2) the librarian's role in the teaching/learning process; (3) library staffing as it affects services and collections; and (4) a well-planned library building that includes librarian/faculty…

Examines Georgia's model capital outlay program for public schools. Despite the current program's many positive aspects, incentives provided to local school districts can lead to inefficiencies, contradictions, and inequities for districts with older physical plants. The program also contains an incentive to use debt financing, rather than…

While other universities are selling, privatizing, or downsizing hospitals, Marshall University (West Virginia) has joined with a local hospital to construct a rural health center and library, ambulatory care center, and cancer center. The arrangement will achieve efficiency for the medical school and other laboratory users, integrate education…

Describes a technique developed over the last 15 years in conjunction with South Carolina school districts to help them set priorities when addressing school building needs. Identifies five factors that are used to measure the overall impact of an individual facilities project in relation to other projects, thereby ranking projects according to an…

In 1995, the Indiana Legislature deregulated state controls over public-school construction projects by reducing the status of required specifications to guidelines. Also, local taxpayers were given greater authority to prevent proposed projects. This study examines the short-term effects of this policy shift. (Contains 5 tables and 16…

Presents an interview with Gail Bruce and Anne Ediger, who, in the early 1990s, conceived the idea of building cultural centers on 30 tribal college campuses. States that they imagined the centers would simply serve as repositories for Indian artifacts; however, after years of fund-raising efforts and program obstacles, the buildings transformed…

This article stresses the need for recreational sports professionals to be cognizant of legal implications when leasing facility space to events organizers. Pertinent law is discussed, and facility managers are encouraged to develop usage policies and lease agreements responsive to laws governing the rental of school property for nonschool…

Renovation of America's college campuses is estimated to require $60 million. A long-range coordinated and unified effort by legislatures, boards, and campus administrators is necessary to reduce the backlog of renewal needs. (MSE)

Alarming findings were reported in a recent study of facility conditions. Two of the more common terms for describing the facilities problem are "capital renewal" and "deferred maintenance." How and why higher education reached this critical point is discussed. (MLW)