Taylor University
PAE-3: Physical Campus Plan

Campus master planning is an iterative process at Taylor with planning and/or reporting taking place each of the last ten years. The original Vision 2016 Master Plan was released in the fall of 2006. It focuses on the function and placement of potential new buildings. A few image considerations are mentioned and include, “Celebration of the environment in which the campus is situated provides the context and relationship with the community – thereby creating a grounded and ling-term sense of place.” In regard to transpiration the plan recommends increasing regulation of parking and increasing the emphasis on pedestrian travel by making pathways safer and more direct. This is done in part by eliminating roads and large parking lots from the core of campus to discourage car use and encourage walking and cycling. The protection and delineation of an existing designated arboretum is also emphasized.

This master plan includes a Preliminary Campus Inventory Report performed in 2003. It points out problems with and recommends improvements to campus storm water runoff which pollutes local rivers. Other recommendations include more bike racks, improved handicapped accessibility, improved student safety from fire sprinkling, converting some mowed areas into native plantings and bio-swales, more trees, and improved efficiency and decreased light trespass with light fixtures. A section on Environmental Impact and Habitat also mentions collaboration with faculty to inventory the biology and geology of campus.

In 2007 a Campus Design Charrette took place. The development standards that were created are organized around Taylor’s three brand statements of Intentional Community, Global Engagement, and Relentless Discovery. The description of each of these focuses on stewardship and sustainability. It starts with, “Future projects should as much as possible be guided by “green” sustainable building and construction practices.” Design recommendations include day lighting, water management, recycled materials, and use of alternative energy sources, and promoting experiences in nature.

The most thorough campus planning document built on previous reports and charettes and was produced in 2008. It is titled “Campus Design Guidelines: Architecture and Landscape Architecture.” One of the six design considerations recommends “embracing the latest technology relative to sustainability.” Many of the same specific sustainability-related recommendations as above were repeated. However, sustainability is explicitly included as a core guideline for both landscape/site planning and building design. While LEED certification is not specifically required it is formally stated that “The university has adopted the stance that all projects (buildings on site) shall be designed to utilize the principle of ‘green’ sustainable architecture.”

Also in 2008 an update of Vision 2016 was developed and titled Long Range Campus Master Plan. This document is short and specifically focused on a few potential construction projects with location, function, and cost considered with little mention of priorities or methods. Another round of planning is currently is currently underway but exclusively deals with reorganizing several departments within existing buildings to avoid new construction.

One of the ways that the sustainability aspects of the Campus Master Plan are being implemented and enforced is through the Energy & Sustainability Policy which requires all members of the Taylor community to assume responsibility for energy conservation and efficiency through various policies.