Analysis Phase

Campus Master Plan

The campus master plan will analyze existing conditions, opportunities and constraints. The planning team will also develop sub-master plans for intercollegiate athletics, technology, utilities and landscape guidelines. This information will be quantified and qualified to create optimum solutions for the campus environments and future facility building blocks and sites. 

Task 5: Develop Campus Analysis (February – March 2025)

The Freese and Nichols Inc. planning team will develop maps, graphics, charts and narratives to describe existing conditions and help guide the overall campus master plan. The analysis below is related to the campus’ physical aspects. It is not intended to be an in-depth study but to identify existing conditions and potential planning solutions to inform the campus master plan recommendations.

The FNI planning team will conduct the following analyses: 

  • Landholdings
  • Campus and surrounding land uses 
  • Building and facility functionality 
  • Access and circulation 
  • Parking 
  • Landscape and open space 
  • Environmental conditions 
  • Signage and wayfinding 
  • Technology, water, sanitary sewer, stormwater, electrical, irrigation infrastructure 
  • Potential land acquisitions 
  • Development opportunities and constraints

Task 6: Demographic Analysis, Enrollment Projections and Space Utilization (November 2024 – April 2025)

Kickoff Workshop

FNI will prepare for and participate in a workshop with SFA leaders to discuss current and future influences that could affect enrollment projections, space utilization and future space needs.

Basic Enrollment Projections

Using historical data and future enrollment goals for students, faculty and staff provided by SFA and Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board, the project team will develop alternative enrollment growth scenarios for the SFA campus.

Demographic Analysis and Enhanced Enrollment Projections

  • The project team will document the home zip codes for existing students using data provided by SFA. Analyze the projected growth potential of the top 10 zip codes (more if preferred) from identified or potential high-feeder areas, community colleges and regions.
  • Prepare enrollment projections using available historical data as a starting point:
    • By student headcount and full-time equivalent 
    • By college 
    • By undergraduate, graduate, post-doctor and online enrollment 
    • For faculty and staff
  • Prepare appropriate tables, graphs and maps to illustrate the above tasks.

Classroom and Lab Utilization

  • Prepare an analysis of classroom and laboratory utilization using data provided by SFA:
    • By building 
    • Room by room 
    • By the day of the week 
    • By the time of day 
    • By actual section enrollment to published section capacity 
    • By section size to room capacity
  • Review the class schedule and work with the university to correct any inconsistencies in the scheduling data.
  • Prepare a classroom demand analysis to determine the right sizes and quantities of classrooms based on the current utilization patterns and compare them with the current inventory. This analysis will be repeated for teaching laboratories.

Room Inventory

Review and build upon the data created with the Facility Strategy study. In collaboration with SFA personnel, work through space efficiency. Identify where rooms could be reconfigured to maximize scheduling efficiency, increase utilization, and increase fill. This effort would be to maximize room fill by actual section size to target section cap and by section size to room capacity.

Space Standards

Develop and review possible standard office sizes and other metrics, such as square feet per student in classrooms and labs, that could be applied consistently across the university. 

Impacts of Pedagogical Change

Conduct a workshop and focus groups to discuss the impacts that new teaching modalities and pedagogical changes are having, or will have, on teaching spaces. 

Interviews

Conduct interviews with college deans and department chairs to review the preliminary findings from the above tasks, discuss potential new academic programs, and discuss future space needs.

Future Space Needs — Academic, Research and Non-Academic Space

  • Prepare an analysis indicating the quantity of additional academic space needed to accommodate projected growth and new programs.
  • Prepare an assessment of space requirements related to research centers and programs. 
  • Prepare an analysis of (non-academic) administrative and support space needs based on projected growth and other changes the university desires. Space needs for athletics will be developed as part of the athletics master plan. Space needs for recreational sports, housing and dining are not included. 

"Building Blocks"

Synthesize the activities, information, and analysis above to develop a high-level list of recommended projects, including potential re-use of existing buildings and the construction of new buildings at SFA to address future enrollment space needs.

Please note: This includes reviewing previous studies (Campus Master Plan Update 2020 and Campus Facility Strategy Study) to understand the work proposed or already in progress, which will impact the potential “building blocks” the new master plan update will recommend. 

Prepare a Final Report

  • A draft report will be prepared and will be tailored to be included inside chapters of the campus master plan, which will contain all of the above data and recommendations. 
  • Following SFA review, a final report will be prepared and presented for inclusion in the campus master plan. 

Task 7: Technology Master Plan and Programming (February – April 2025)

  • FNI will review existing documentation submitted by SFA describing current technology systems, standards, preferences and future plans.
  • FNI and the consultant team will meet with SFA and the campus planning team to ascertain the technology systems' functional, aesthetic, sustainability and budgetary requirements and aspirations.
    • Conduct a technology visioning and virtual benchmarking workshop. In technology visioning, present the emerging technologies in audio, video, displays, AR/VR/XR, computing, telecommunications, personal communications, and others that may impact the future of higher education. In virtual benchmarking, show dozens of photos, sketches and floor plans from various institutions with similar program elements and facilitate a discussion about what attributes of the various spaces are desired (and not desired) for your project.
      Note: This is an excellent tool for gathering program information, allowing SFA to give specific directions to the planning team since the technology systems significantly impact the design of many space-related factors.
  • Technology Room Discovery and Documentation 
    • Review a sampling of current technology rooms (data centers, MDF/IDF rooms, AV control rooms/closets) with SFA personnel and review documents and reports related to the current state of IT and technology on campus for current efficiencies, future expansion capabilities, and infrastructural viability (heating/cooling, redundancies, and UPS/backup generator requirements). 
    • Review a sampling of current teaching and instructional spaces with SFA personnel and review documents and reports related to the current state of IT and technology on campus for current efficiencies, future expansion capabilities, and infrastructural viability. 
    • Review a sampling of recreational and sporting venues with SFA personnel and review documents and reports related to the current state of technology and future technology, expansions and infrastructural viability. 
    • Review campus buildings with SFA personnel and review documents and reports related to the current state of technology and future technology, expansions and infrastructural viability.
  • Develop a technology planning program report, including: 
    • Narrative descriptions of recommended solutions for the relevant spaces and systems 
    • Sketches as needed to illustrate design ideas and concepts 
    • Relevant technology trends 
    • General principles related to the Intelligent Building Systems/Building Internet of Things 
    • Impact on technology staffing levels 
    • Technology refresh recommendations 
    • Space planning considerations 
    • Architectural integration considerations and opportunities 
    • Budgetary considerations for typically installed systems 
      Note: The report is intended to be used as a decision-making tool for planning and budgeting purposes. The costs expressed are estimates per space or system type for the equipment and labor necessary to achieve the planned functionality; the document does not identify specific component-level costs, manufacturers, makes or model numbers.
  • The project team will meet with SFA to review the technology program.
  • FNI and the project team will submit a final technology program based on the information provided at the meeting. Upon acceptance by SFA, the report will serve as a guideline for planning and design efforts. 

Task 8: Intercollegiate Athletics Master Plan (November 2024 – October 2025)

The intercollegiate athletics master plan will be developed concurrently with the campus master plan. 

  • The planning and programming effort will include analysis, engagement, program development and conceptual design. Recommendations will be integrated into the overall campus master plan and the full intercollegiate athletics master plan will be included as an appendix.
  • Meetings: 
    • Onsite workshop style meetings with SFA will occur with the planning team and will include a charette and presentations.
    • Virtual – As required for progress, coordination and review of the work.
  • Preparation of the report, deliverables and documents will include the following:
    • Workshop reports and meeting notes. 
    • Space programs – existing and proposed.
    • Design ideas, conceptual graphics, sketches, site and floor plans, and sectional graphics.

The final report will be coordinated with the planning team and align with SFA campus standards.

  • Narrative Document – Includes the Basis of Need, Benchmarking, Data Analysis, Projections, Trends, Design, and Code. 
  • Conceptual Graphics/Sketches, Site Plans, Floor Plans, and Sectional Graphics. 
  • Exterior and Interior Renderings and Imagery – aligning with FNI standards. 
  • Schedule/Phasing Diagrams – aligning with FNI sequencing. 
  • Statement of Probable Cost from FNI estimator. 
  • Misc. Additional Documentation – as required to convey the overall planning efforts. 

Task 9: Utility Master Plan (January – April 2025; August – October 2025)

The goal of the utility master plan is to document existing conditions and guide future growth and utility infrastructure improvements for the SFA main campus. The plan will address water, sanitary sewers, stormwater, electrical, irrigation, technology and alternative energy infrastructure.

  • A site visit will occur to visually assess the existing utility conditions.
  • Campus Utility Capacity Analysis
    • Water Service:
      • Research the extent of the public water system on campus grounds. 
      • Calculate the capacity of water service capacities based on available information.
    • Sanitary Sewer Service:
      • Research the extent of the public sanitary sewer system on campus grounds. 
      • Calculate system capacity at campus offsite discharge points based on available data (size and slope).
    • Storm Sewer:
      • Research the extent of the storm sewer system. 
      • Identify areas on campus prone to flooding or ponding based on conversations with the facilities group or key personnel from campus.
    • Electrical:
      • Research the extent of the electric transmission system. 
      • Assess electrical equipment for any safety concerns. 
      • Review and document the historical electric demand of all metering locations on the main campus.
    • Mechanical and Plumbing
      • Research the extent of the mechanical system. 
      • Assess the central plants, chilled water system, boilers, chillers, and other campus mechanical systems.
  • FNI and the consultant team will develop utility improvement recommendations to coordinate with the proposed campus development phasing.
  • Coordinate with the City of Nacogdoches related to future infrastructure expansion.
  • Documentation
    • Prepare a report identifying existing utilities with calculated capacities, where appropriate. 
    • Prepare narrative for utility considerations. 
    • Provide written recommendations for utility improvements to accommodate growth as outlined in this campus master plan. 
    • Prepare drawings illustrating existing utility infrastructure in and adjacent to the campus based on information provided by others as outlined above. 
    • Prepare drawings with proposed recommendations for utility infrastructure. 
       

Task 10: Landscape Character Guidelines (February – April 2025; August – October 2025)

Landscape character guidelines will be created in conjunction with the development of the campus master plan and will include:

  • Review of all documents provided by SFA, including the existing master plan, landscape guides, and other university plans.
  • A site visit to verify and document existing conditions, understand problems and identify opportunities and assets.
  • Participation in meetings with the planning team and SFA for items related to the landscape scope.
  • Create landscape character and design guidelines, including standard campus themes and aesthetic, plaza and gathering area standards, and boundary identification.
  • Develop design standards that illustrate intent through imagery, written specifications, and construction details. Areas include: 
    • Definition / Planning of Pedestrian Circulation and Other Gathering Spaces.
    • Definition / Planning of Landscape Areas (trees, shrubs, groundcovers, and lawns).
    • Definition / Planning of Hardscape Areas (courtyards, sidewalks, lighting, etc.)
  • Produce multiple design options for feedback from the planning team and SFA.
  • All planning and design will incorporate the appropriate information from campus standards documents.
  • Prepare an estimate of probable cost for design option(s).
  • Prepare an overall plan rendering illustrating the collaborative efforts of the planning team to create a collective future vision for the campus areas. This will include a potential phasing response for implementation over time.
  • Deliver landscape character guidelines following revisions from the planning team and SFA.

Task 11: Facility Conditions Assessment (November 2024 – February 2025)

A facility conditions assessment of multiple buildings will be included in the campus master plan. The architectural team will visit select campus facilities to document physical conditions and prepare a final report with a condition assessment of each facility.

Data collection and review

SFA will provide FNI with relevant project data, including, but not limited to, floor and site plans, facility maintenance reports, and previous studies. FNI will review the materials received from SFA. 

Project kick-off meeting

FNI’s architectural team conducting facilities assessments will participate virtually in the kick-off meeting at SFA to introduce the FNI team and SFA personnel, and schedules for the facility assessments will be established. 

Base floor plans

Using the facilities’ PDF floor plans provided by SFA, FNI will develop floor plan images for each facility to be used in the facilities’ assessments. The floor plans will indicate room layouts and current room names. Furnishings and equipment will be excluded. SFA will provide accurate plans and that FNI field verification will require minimal effort.

Facility Assessments

  • FNI will perform a site visit and condition assessment of each of the select facilities. The assessments will be visual and include the facilities’ architectural, structural, mechanical, electrical, and plumbing systems. The conditions of the building’s interiors and the building’s envelope, including the roof, will be addressed. Conditions will be documented through photography. Exterior improvements, such as adjacent parking areas and walkways, are included. Security, audiovisual, and information technology systems are excluded. Assessments of SFA’s utility infrastructure, such as water, sanitary, storm, gas, and electric systems serving the facilities, are excluded. Energy analyses and electrical demand are excluded. Verification of compliance with current building codes and ordinances is excluded. Facilities compliance with Texas Accessibility Standards is excluded. 
  • The facility assessments will occur during three consecutive days at SFA. SFA facilities staff will be available to accompany FNI personnel to unlock doors, provide access to all areas, including the roofs, and respond to questions about the facilities. 
     

Preliminary Facility Assessments and Analysis

Based upon information gathered during the facility visits, FNI will document their conditions, including projected life expectancies of building systems. 

Draft Facility Conditions Assessment Report

FNI will prepare a draft report that includes all findings and distribute it to SFA for review. During a virtual conference call with SFA, FNI will review the findings and receive SFA’s comments. 

Final Facility Conditions Assessment Report

FNI will incorporate the Draft Facility Conditions Assessment Report comments from SFA into the final report, which will be distributed to SFA.

Task 12: Conceptual Plans and Presentation (April – May 2025)

After completing the online survey and the campus analysis, the planning team will conduct an internal design charrette and develop scenarios to illustrate the potential location and configuration of physical plan recommendations. The planning team will summarize the survey results, campus analysis and conceptual plans to the campus master plan steering committee and build consensus for each preferred campus/location draft conceptual plan. Following the presentation, the planning team will have sufficient information and direction to develop draft illustrative plans and project recommendations.