M e e t i n g     N o t e s     

Meeting Subject:                      Campus Advisory Committee Meeting

Location:                                  UNLV Foundation Building

Meeting Date / Time:                March 13, 2002 / 1:30 - 3:30 p.m.        

Issue Date:                               March 28, 2002

Participants:                            See Attached Sign-In Sheet

Prepared By:                            SmithGroup JJR

DISCUSSION:

The purpose of this meeting was to introduce the Campus Master Plan process to the Campus Advisory Committee.  This session was intended to generate ideas and issues regarding the existing campus conditions and projected needs for the upcoming UNLV Master Plan.  The committee members raised ideas, comments, and suggestions referencing six (6) category / topic boards.  The following text summarizes the comments that were recorded during this session.  In an effort to rank the relative importance of the issues, each committee member was given a single colored sticker to "cast a vote" on the single issue that they deemed most important.  Items with parenthesis and a number indicate how the votes were cast.

Image

·         The campus lacks an impressive main entrance. (4 ½ votes)

·         Signage is important.  It is better than in the past, but still somewhat lacking. (1 vote)

·         UNLV is not an inviting campus. It is difficult to conveniently park. (1 vote)

·         The campus is inward in orientation. (½ vote)

·         UNLV is "one big parking lot."

·         The campus needs a single major entrance.

·         The campus is very "gray."  It needs accent colors.

·         There is no significant icon or image-maker on campus (bell tower, etc).  The Lied Library is serving as the current campus identifier.

·         The Thomas & Mack Center provides an inconsistent and mixed message as the image of campus.

Architecture

·         Infill at the EPA complex. (1 vote)

·         Infill at FMA.

·         Every new building needs to have outdoor space programmed into it.

·         Is our vision for the UNLV Carnegie I Research status matched to its architecture?

·         Is it possible to access property along Maryland (new buildings, receiving)?

·         UNLV envisions 3000-3500 total beds in 10-Year Housing Master Plan.

·         Formalize the architectural materials, design vocabulary, and related site materials.  Consistency is needed.

·         Provide art in the public realm using the campus as a canvas. make an effort to stimulate this through architecture, open space, and campus structures.

·         Architecture should reflect art as UNLV culture (interior and exterior).

Open Space

·         The quality of student life needs to be improved. (2 votes)

·         Recognize spaces between buildings (1 vote)

·         Provide more green space and less pavement on campus.

·         Large volumes of students use the mall in front of the library.

·         UNLV needs more quality outdoor gathering spaces.

·         Create different types of spaces for study.

·         Plantings should be appropriate for the spaces they complement.

·         Provide art on campus.

·         The use of water on campus should be minimized.

Circulation

·         Where is the entrance to campus?  Can we make a new entry?  Where? (2 votes)

·         Can Cottage Grove be made "one way" (for improved access to parking)? (1 vote)

·         There are several cut-through streets.  This is a potential safety issue.

·         Close Harmon at Swenson.

·         Harmon is cluttered.

·         Signage is critical.  There are too many entrances with no hierarchy.

·         "UNLV is a big parking lot" (committee member quoting a student).

·         Separate service and vehicular traffic.

·         Can carts get across Maryland Parkway (servicing a central Receiving facility)?

·         When the Thomas & Mack Center exceeds 12,000 people for an event, parking capacity is a problem.

Safety

·         The crossings at Maryland Parkway pose a  high incidence of traffic accidents. (3 votes)

·         Personal property issues are a campus concern. (1 vote)

·         Tour buses do not belong on campus.

·         Does perimeter parking mean there should be fewer conflicts with pedestrians?

·         How do we address future skateboard issues?

·         Pedestrian safety (in route to) perimeter parking is an issue.

Special Issues

·         Capacity!  Total GSF.  How much can we build on our campus? (4 votes)

·         UNLV intimidation factors (to the community constituency) are parking & image. (2 votes)

·         Infrastructure issues and capacity is paramount.  This is particularly important for new research facilities. (2 votes)

·         Student life needs to be improved at the MSU & physical education facilities. (1 vote)

·         UNLV needs to prioritize land purchases. (1 vote)

·         Can we eliminate carts on campus?

·         Change the focus of campus by consolidating student services activities.

·         Maryland Parkway is our "campus town" and major conflict zone.

·         It is difficult (as a visitor) to get around campus.  The campus is not inviting.

·         There is no venue for student life at the north end of campus.

·         MSU is over capacity.  It needs an expansion/addition/renovation.  The student demand for these facilities is large.

·         How will we treat facilities for lease, etc.?  We need to prioritize these.

·         Straighten Swenson behind Hospice and the DRI to Flamingo.

·         The Wright Hall memorial area to be incorporated into our planning.

Respectfully submitted by:

SmithGroup JJR

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