The idea of using natural landscaping has been evolving in the corporate and even college campus development industries for the last five to 10 years as companies and institutions have discovered that a native landscape can be attractive while also reinfo
College administrators are putting an increased emphasis on improving their ability to communicate with students, staff, and visitors quickly and effectively. It's no wonder academic institutions across the country large and small are o
As technology becomes more important in K-12 education, you're not only planning for the needs of today, but also trying to predict the needs of tomorrow. The days are long gone when "technology in the schools" meant a few computers in the
There is no question that the current gas crisis of 2008 will also have an effect on the economy, school budgets, operations, and design. If I had one wish, it would be that we learned from our past. Hopefully, this time we will do more than come up with
The perils and pitfalls of the search process could consume an entire volume, but based upon our experience as both candidates and search consultants, there are three common junctures at which the process often becomes derailed.
Next time you look around your campus kitchens, take a special glance at your appliances. Your foodservice appliances are big-ticket items. These expensive implements make your staff's lives easier and your foodservices run smoothly. What does it tak
About 30 years ago a new lighting technology became available without much fanfare, but it only gained popularity after being reintroduced in the 1990s. With induction lighting's obvious benefits of a long lifespan and little-to-no maintenance, are c
Election season is in full swing, with party conventions around the corner and nightly news analysis of the candidates' talking points. While being an informed voter is easier than before with instant access to information through the Internet, often
When David Warren moved to Delaware, OH, to start his tenure as president of Ohio Wesleyan University (OWU) in the 1980s, he had a slight problem: The president's house would not be ready for occupancy for several months. But instead of moving into a
Gone are the days of independent study with a stack of books and a librarian who glares if you sneeze and hushes if you read out loud to yourself. Those days have been replaced with both small- and large-group collaboration and research from both books an
While evaluating a campus preparedness plan for a client recently, I noticed a common problem. The plan was painstakingly developed with superb detail. But as I reviewed the action steps for each protocol, it became apparent that the voice of the plan cha
Read any admissions' brochure or attend an event at a college or university, and you'll likely learn about its link to the community. Many campus grounds are easily accessed; fences are low or nonexistent, there are few security checkpoints, and
Periodic incidents remind us how important school access control is. Are your schools ready for a visit by an individual who intends harm? Meaningful access control is within reach for any K-12 school, though it is more difficult for some schools than fo
Lighting renovations are usually part of an overhaul of a school district's overall energy profile. While the savings available from lighting retrofits is generally small, the payback is fast, usually six to 10 years. By comparison, new energy-effici
Colleges and universities across the nation have been making the decision to allow security officers to carry firearms. This month we talked with Bill Corner, Calvin College's campus safety director. Located in Grand Rapids, MI, Calvin College, will
Students regularly come to school on Mondays following a weekend, or Tuesdays after a national holiday, or any day of the week when a winter, spring, or summer vacation ends. We concentrate on the first day of school with fervor, programs, and excitement.
True or false? To be officially certified, an arboretum must include a minimum of 250 different species of trees on a minimum of 50 acres. False. The truth of the matter is that there is no official arboretum-certifying body any outdoor space can b
Campus safety concerns extend beyond emergency communications and adequate lighting. Asbestos, lead, mold, and radon pose health risks that must be addressed and remediated.
Fuel prices have been rising steadily in recent years, and these high prices have become a constant topic in the news, and even in our current Presidential election. This month we focused on solutions colleges and universities are employing to compensate
The EPA's HealthySEAT software enables districts to track and manage information on environmental conditions in each school.
The lack of priority that many districts place on maintenance has far reaching effects. The obvious is the deterioration of our buildings and equipment, or the voiding of warranties. The less obvious is the negative effect of building conditions on studen