Campus
vision, capital projects blossom during Gordon tenure
By Steve
Carr
During
the past 10 years, the campus has seen a fair amount of growth
due in part to the Campus Development Plan, which began in 1990
with the production of "UNM 2000," a vision statement
of a quality, mix of programs and services for the University
heading into the 21st Century. The vision statement led to the
preparation of the UNM Long Range Master Plan, which was completed
in 1995.
The plan
explored strategies for the long-term development of the Albuquerque
campus, defining a maximum enrollment of approximately 35,000
students and an additional 4.9 million square feet of facilities.
It also examined the physical implications of building new facilities
and provided a design framework and guidelines for long-term
development of the central and north campuses.
| Current
projects include:
Student
Union Building
Hibben Center for Archaeological Research
Main Campus Distribution System (chilled water pipes)
Law Schools Bratton Hall Renovations and Hart
Addition
Utility Infrastructure Renewal
Ambulatory Surgery and Imaging Center (UNM Hospital/Health
Sciences Center)
Capital
projects in planning stages include:
Centennial
Engineering Center
Zimmerman Library Information Commons
Health Sciences Center Education Building
Visitor Parking Structure and Welcome Center
School of Architecture & Planning/Fine Arts
Library
Childrens Hospital and Critical Care Pavilion
(UNM Hospital/HSC)
Recently
completed projects include:
Electrical
Systems Upgrades
Lobo Football Stadium Expansion
Domestic Water Distribution System
Student Apartments (Redondo Village)
|
"They
[capital projects] are a combination of satisfying the objectives
of our long range campus plan and also a response to the infrastructure
and better quality of space that most of us need here on campus,"
says Roger Lujan, director of Facility Planning.
Since
the implementation of the Long Range Master Plan, a significant
number of capital improvement projects have blossomed around
the UNM landscape on main, north and south campuses during the
course of William C. Gordons tenure as president.
"Hes
been instrumental in getting the projects in front of the right
people and moving them forward," said Lujan. "These
projects are a pretty direct response to various constituencies
here on campus including students, staff and faculty."
Currently,
more than a dozen major projects are underway, many of which
Gordon helped facilitate by conveying to the appropriate people
the importance and need for the projects.
"In
terms of quantity, we find ourselves at roughly about three
times the amount of annual capital, planning and construction
activity than normal," Lujan says. "I think it is
clearly through Dr. Gordons overall institutional leadership
that a lot of these projects have come to fruition. For example,
the Student Union Building, the Law School, the Hibben Center,
Architecture & Planning and the parking garage all have
had his support.
"Theres
no doubt during his time as principal leader of the university,
the face of the institution has changed in a positive way. They
are clearly a part of the legacy he'll leave here at UNM."