Not too long ago, students used to leave their cell phones and other devices at home, or they had to turn the devices off before class started. Now, mobile technology is often welcomed in the classroom as a way to open up learning and move beyond the trad
- By Christine Beitenhaus
- 07/01/12
We often define the problem of school violence too narrowly. The focus is usually on interpersonal violence between students or by students toward their teachers. When in reality, any instance of crime or violence at a school not only affects the individu
The Great Recession is being blamed for increasing deferred maintenance. But is it the only cause of this challenge? What do administrators need to do to turn the situation around? What is going to happen if they don't? Here, E. Lander Medlin, execut
That 90-percent rule of thumb? It's a nice formula, but it is just that, a model, not a reflection of the actual activity of the school. Usage and educational philosophy, not some mathematical formula, should determine how space is used and what perc
What happens when everyone tries to log on to that coverage at the same time? Perhaps the most famous example occurred to the late Steve Jobs during an important product launch. About 40 minutes into the Apple CEO's keynote speech where he was introd
What happens if we don't make education facilities a high priority? The longer we wait, the higher the investment becomes and the farther behind our children fall. We remain hopeful, for what else is there?
How can student center floors stand up to the resulting wear and tear, and with flooring that's environmentally sustainable, affordable, and easy on the eye? What goes into the process of choosing flooring systems in such crucial places?
If women and minorities are to make significant inroads with regard to leading our colleges and universities, the most significant change we can make will be in the composition of the governing boards of our institutions. The diversification we have witne
- By Dr. Molly Easo Smith
- 07/01/12
One of the key ways for school administrators and passenger trip organizers to safeguard their students when arranging ground transportation is to ensure they select the safer motor coach companies in the industry. Transportation safety no longer falls so
- By Patrick Labriola
- 07/01/12
With attention to detail, it is possible to create tight building envelopes that conserve energy and protect against water intrusion. The benefit is schools that last 100 years, as intended. In addition, tightening the envelope on renovation projects can
The TD Bank Sports Center, with twin NCAA Division I hockey and basketball arenas for men's and women's teams, was the first structure to be built on the entirely new 240-acre campus carved out of a rocky hilltop in Hamden, CT. It was the semina
- By Jefferson B. Riley
- 06/01/12
School designers in the United States always had the urge to experiment with new designs but this has come in increments, says Baker in her analysis of the history of school design in this country. "Technology is starting to allow us to break out of
- By Sarat Pratapchandran
- 06/01/12
When it comes to campus facilities, administrators always want a tight building envelope. A tight building envelope ensures that your facility is energy-efficient, safe, and healthy. Achieving a tight building envelope begins with an appreciation for its
Enrollment continues to grow, but to attract 
and retain those students depends in part 
on the quality of housing at your institution.
Pressure has been building in many parts of the nation to close and merge neighboring small districts, creating larger, more economic units. The basic idea is to eliminate costs (do we really need two superintendents?), but more often, the question revolv
Colleges and universities own some of the most valuable real estate in the world. Despite aging facilities and budget cuts, they are doing an admirable job protecting the assets they have. The funding gap is being counterbalanced by the extra efforts of t
The Obama administration is challenging colleges and universities to provide clearer and more comparable information about financial aid and the cost of college. On the surface, this challenge seems relatively straightforward. But you don't need to d
A fire alarm system and accessory components are, without doubt, a necessity for life safety. By monitoring the environment and noticing any changes potentially related to unsafe conditions, a fire alarm system alerts the occupants of a building that ther
Initially developed by the Cascadian Green Building Council (CGBC) in 2006, the Living Building Challenge (LBC) raises the "green bar" and motivates significant change in the built environment. It goes beyond other green building programs, such
- By Craig Schiller
- 06/01/12
What started in the '70s as pre-recorded closed-circuit TV, digital signage made a showy, and expensive, debut in places like Times Square and Las Vegas. Today, low-cost equipment and high-speed Internet means that digital signage is everywhere from
Military-friendly colleges offer on-campus resources to make learning about and utilizing Post-9/11 GI Bill benefits as easy as possible for veteran and active duty service members. It is advised that military students seek out this individual or office t
- By Dr. Thomas M. McGovern
- 06/01/12