Reports that Yale University (Connecticut) is 5 years into the most expensive renovation and construction project any university has ever undertaken. The renovations, when completed around 2010, will cost about $2.6-billion and new construction another $400 million. Critics worry about preservation of historic buildings and Yale's intentions in…

A well-planned maintenance program will prolong a new school building's life expectancy and save enormous sums. A maintenance program should include a facility inventory, a building archive, management of punch-list and warranty items, custodial service, proactive maintenance, a maintenance schedule, and energy conservation features. (MLH)

Taxpayers expect school-construction projects to be managed efficiently and in accordance with environmental standards. Phases include selecting an architect and site, stating project requirements, working with the architect, considering environmental factors, getting budget estimates and reviews, and choosing a contractor and project-schedule…

Presents design features of the award-winning Carroll Junior High School (Southlake, Texas) that provides maximum flexibility for its staged expansion into a high school and a rapidly increasing school enrollment. Photos and a floor plan are provided. (GR)

Discusses why an offer of free roofing help for a school can be very costly, as several New Jersey schools found out the hard way. Offers advice on selecting a qualified roof designer. (EV)

Discusses the use of school buildings by religious groups and looks at infringement of freedom of expression rights, accommodation of religious organizations and response to the needs of religious groups without violating first amendment prohibitions involving church-state relations. (JOW)

Examines the controversial architectural technique of combining contemporary features with traditional designs at Yale University's Berkeley College, and discusses whether there is a place for this type of juxtaposition in architectural design. Photos and diagrams are included. (GR)

Examines renovation issues involving 30- and 40-year-old school facilities. Explores ways a school district can renovate old buildings to first-class cost-effective facilities while avoiding excessive transition costs. Discussions include installation of new technology and the resulting wiring demands, and developing more energy-efficient heating…

Explores whether trustee boards should establish a naming-rights policy for donators of large gifts. Suggests that the beginning of a comprehensive fundraising campaign is a good time to address such standards, and offers factors to keep in mind when making decisions about naming college facilities after donors. (EV)

Looks at steps needed to create an effective building trades program: (1) identify political and financial obstacles, (2) identify industry needs, (3) identify local assets, and (4) create long- and short-term goals. (JOW)

The Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers recently approved a high-speed wireless standard that enables devices from different manufacturers to communicate through a common backbone, making wireless local area networks more feasible in schools. Schools can now use wireless access points and network cards to provide flexible…

The Cincinnati Art Museum's Jain shrine is an elaborate structure that allows Jains to contemplate a life of peace, discipline, and freedom from earthly desires. This shrine, an elaborately carved canopy (typically used by royalty) with two freestanding support pillars, was made during an important growth period that saw the building of numerous…

Today, California State University, Monterey Bay (CSUMB)--founded in 1994 as the 21st campus of what is now the 23-campus California State University System (CSU)--occupies approximately 1,300 acres of the former Fort Ord Army base. The initial CSUMB master plan called for a large, sprawling campus footprint. Academic buildings would have been…

Humans are endowed with cognitive modules specialised in processing information about the class of natural things. Due to their naturalness, fractal art and design can contribute to developing these modules, and trigger affective responses that are associated with certain natural objects. It is argued that exposure to fractals in an art and design…

The purpose of this exploratory research study was to survey Kansas school nurses to determine the impact of budget, delegation, and other variables on the future of school nursing. Issues of education and certification status, educational budget, delegation, school nurse-to-student ratio, number of school buildings assigned, Metropolitan…