Axe ’Em, Jacks!
The Freese and Nichols Inc. planning team will locate and collect information through a project kick-off meeting with the campus master plan steering committee; campus facilities tour; surveys and interactive map; and stakeholder interviews with students, deans, administration, faculty and staff. Information gathered from interviews and surveys will help develop an assessment and understanding of existing and proposed facilities and the campus’ physical environment. All information collected will be organized to develop planning principles and form the foundation for the comprehensive campus master plan.
Task 1: Project Kick-off Meeting and Campus and Facilities Tours (November 2024)
The FNI planning team will conduct a kick-off meeting with the campus master plan steering committee to discuss the project approach, planning principles, program goals, and significant tasks. FNI will request/receive any additional data required for the plan.
Topics may include:
- Project vision, goals and objectives
- Priorities for future projects
- Stakeholder involvement strategies
- Project expectations
The FNI planning team will better understand development patterns, existing facilities and location conditions for the SFA campus; the FNI planning team will tour campus and various facilities. Existing conditions and any issues will be noted. Photos will also be taken to document the existing conditions. The campus and facilities tours will be led by facilities staff members who are knowledgeable about current campus and facility conditions. These tours will take place during Trip 1, along with the project kick-off meeting. The kick-off meeting will be on SFA's main campus and will be an in-person meeting.
Task 2: Campus User Interviews and Stakeholder Meetings (December 2024)
Stakeholder interviews will help the FNI planning team understand the campus’ issues and needs regarding existing facilities, future programs and future facility site development. The interviews with university deans and department chairs will discuss potential academic program changes and future space needs. Interviews will be 30 minutes to an hour. If appropriate, various interview groups can be combined and this process may take up to five days. The planning team will also provide input boards in strategic areas to capture student information regarding the campus/location's existing conditions and future development.
The following campus leadership or groups may be interviewed:
- President and president's leadership
- Vice presidents, deans and department chairs
- Campus master plan steering committee
- Institutional effectiveness/research
- Facilities and operations
- Athletic director and selected athletic staff
- Information Technology Services
- Students and/or Student Government Association
- Researchers
- Campus Recreation
Task 3: Project Website and Online Engagement (November 2024 – October 2025)
The FNI planning team will assist with content for a campus master plan page on the SFA website and will provide content to SFA staff members, who will post and maintain the information to the university’s website. The webpage will feature information about the project process, team and input opportunities. FNI will create two online surveys (faculty/staff and student) and an online interactive mapping exercise, as well as provide links to SFA to post on the webpage. SFA staff members will post content provided by FNI at appropriate times to keep campus users, faculty, staff and the community informed of project updates and events.
Task 4: Development of Campus Base Maps (November 2024 – January 2025)
The FNI planning team will create existing condition base maps of the SFA campus, utilizing the most recent aerial map imagery. The base maps will be used to develop various campus analyses (Analysis Phase), illustrative campus plans to illustrate different facility and physical recommendations, and 3D renderings. Teaming partners will also utilize the base maps to assist in completing their respective efforts.