THE UNIVERSITY OF KANSAS KU MEMORIAL UNIONS RESEARCH FINDINGS REPORT May 12, 2014
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Table of Contents EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
THE UNIVERSITY OF KANSAS KU MEMORIAL UNIONS
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RESEARCH R ESEARCH P PROCESS ROC CESS Review R Re v ew vi w of Cam C Campus ampus mpus P mp Planning la ann n ing in ng D Documents ocu cume me ent nts Campus Ca amp mpus Visitt O One: ne: St ne S Strategic ra ate tegi giic Visi V Visioning ision o in on ng Vision Visi Vi sion si o Tours Campus Camp mp pus V Visit isit Two: Op Opportunities pp po ort ort rtun nitiess Ex E Exploration xpl plor oration n
5 9 15 15 19 19
PROJECT P ROJECT G GOALS OALS Reframing Kansas as U Union nion nion on Leveraging Leveragi ging ng K Kansas ansas Un U Union’s nio on’ n’s Stre S St Strengths t eng gth hs Symbolic Capital • Sy ymbolic C a it ap ital al Restorative Capital • R Re estorativ ve Ca apita pita pi al Intellectual • Inte In nte ellec ctu tual al Capital all Social Capital • So S ciall C ci apital apit tal
23 3 26 26 27 27 29 29 32 32 35 35
DESIGN D ESIGN C CONCEPTS ONCEPTS
411 4
VISIONING FOR DINING SERVICES
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Prepared by Envision Strategies
APPENDIX A PPENDIX Meeting M Me eet etin in ng No Notes ote t s
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Executive Summary
THE UNIVERSITY OF KANSAS KU MEMORIAL UNIONS
KU Memorial Union faces critical decisions about its facilities and the role that they will play in the future of the University. Its many locations all serve immediate and everyday needs for the campus population. Yet, no single facility operates as a true hub for the entire campus community. This report reflects the combined efforts of Workshop Architects and KU Memorial Unions staff and student representatives to articulate a strategy and vision for positioning the organization and its buildings for the future. Through a series of workshops, site visits and design inquiries, a number of approaches were discussed, including building a new student union at the center of campus and integrating Anschutz library. It became apparent that a single facility needed to serve as a hub. And, that given budgetary, programmatic, and planning, practical considerations, and inherent strengths of it location and amenities, that hub can and should be Kansas Union. Thus, Workshop Architects and the KU Memorial Unions representatives advance the following strategy that are detailed in this report:
Transform Kansas Union into a true campus hub and focal point for social and intellectual activity. Though currently perceived to be on the edge of campus, by virtue of its location at the nexus of campus and downtown Lawrence, nearby neighborhood residential densities, its prime position along Jayhawk Boulevard, and its grand views of campus, the Kansas Union possesses unique attributes that can be leveraged through design and program activities to become an invaluable resource for campus pride, reflection, social interaction, and intellectual vitality.
Cost The total project cost estimate is $57.5 million, which includes $23.5 million for new construction, and $34 million for renovation. Phasing Several alternatives are feasible with this strategy: renovation or partial renovation can proceed first. Or, the addition can be built first, with functions temporarily relocated during renovation of the existing. Program impacts Increased lounge space, improved dining options, student enhanced student involvement area, and synergies with the Multi-Cultural Center. Ultimately, the resulting KU landmark becomes a campus center serving KU’s recruitment, retention, connection and community needs for generations of Jayhawks.
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Executive Summary
THE UNIVERSITY OF KANSAS KU MEMORIAL UNIONS
Key Design Concepts for Kansas Union
Activate the plaza in front of Kansas Union with a “street café” approach that opens out to the boulevard, and through new seating, service shelters, and plantings.
Create a new south terrace that connects Jayhawk Boulevard to the Mississippi Street and provide a new entry at the third level. To the west, create a new entrance plaza and second level entry.
Create a stronger connection between the fourth and third floors with new stairs and new floor openings, including a “bird’s nest” tiered seating area that will serve as lounge focal point for staged events.
Build a new addition that includes a repositioned Alderson Auditorium and senate chambers partaking of the panoramic view of “The Hill.”
Improve views to Memorial Stadium and Marvin Grove.
Create a new bookstore restaurant on the second floor with dramatic views to a new sports club on the first floor.
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Research Process
THE UNIVERSITY OF KANSAS KU MEMORIAL UNIONS
Review of KU Planning Documents
The research process for KU Memorial Unions began with a review of the University of Kansas’s planning documents, including Bold Aspirations, the emerging Campus Master Plan, and the Project Steering Committee’s statement, The Bold Idea. Workshop Architects gathered data during two campus visits, the first of which included focus groups and intercept interviews and culminated in a SWOT Analysis and Strategic Visioning exercise. The second campus visit included an Opportunities Exploration Workshop, during which the thesis about the future of Kansas Union was proposed. Between visits, members of Workshop’s team and KU’s planning group embarked on a vision tour to facilities that could serve as potential models for the KU Memorial Unions.
University Goals The University of Kansas, one of the nation’s finest public research universities, articulates in its strategic documents high aspirations for academic distinction and engagement with the state, the nation, and the world. The University’s Bold Aspirations document is both inspiring and actionable, and its commitment to preparing students for a life of purpose resonates with its public mission and redounds to other planning efforts. The emerging institutional Campus Master Plan offers guidance for the University to manifest its aspirations through its facilities, landscapes, and programs. Finally, the Steering Committee’s The Bold Idea leads the way toward aligning the Unions’ mission with the University’s vision. At every level of planning, there are important implications for the future of KU Memorial Unions, particularly Kansas Union.
Campus Master Plan A good campus master plan is transparent of the goals university has to change and grow physically over time. The KU Campus Master Plan n, currently in development, already includes important questions about and commitment to the role of the KU Memorial Unions in the University’s growth. It also offers relevant context for the decisions that must be made about the Unions’ services, programs, spaces, and campus locations. Although other portions of this report will expound upon the substantial issues that face the KU Memorial Unions, it seems apparent that institutional goals will be hampered without fundamental redevelopment re edeve v lopm ment off th these hese Union ffacilities. acil ilities.
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Bold Aspirations The University’s Bold Aspirations document articulates several institutional goals to which a redeveloped and refocused KU Memorial Unions will be better able to contribute:
“The mission… is to lift students and society by educating leaders, building healthy communities, and making discoveries that will change the world.” “to be recognized as a top-tier public international research university” “We must raise the expectations we have for ourselves.” “Our vision for KU is [to]... train the leaders and innovators of the future.” “As a foundation for a vibrant... campus community, KU will foster a rich mix of perspectives, ethnicities, life experiences, interests, world views, and cultures.” “Encourage students to participate in the many experiential opportunities KU offers.” “Identify important strategies to develop and enhance the needed infrastructure and resources.” “Enliven the KU campus community with eminent visitors and local community talent.” “Diversity... provides our students valuable experiences that will help them... in an increasingly global and multicultural world.”
Taken as a whole, the architectural implications of these bold aspirations for academic quality, leadership, community, and vitality suggest the need for high-quality places and experiences on campus. They point to the importance of KU Memorial Unions as hubs for vibrant social and intellectual life on campus and to the role that those facilities can play in communicating to the Jayhawk community and its visitors a message of pride, innovation, inclusiveness, and care.
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The Bold Idea The University’s administrative, academic, and student leaders are seemingly eager for change, and KU Memorial Unions’ leaders are equally eager to embrace the University’s emerging goals, plans, and future. To aggregate these thoughts and illuminate a direction for the rest of the project, the KU Memorial Unions’ Steering Committee adopted the following statement, referred to as The Bold Idea, to suggest courage of vision and linkage to the University’s strategic aspirations:
KU Memorial Unions is the organizational and physical manifestation of what makes the University of Kansas different… special… innovative… forward thinking. As it has always been and will be, from the turbulent 1960’s to the Bold Aspirations of the future, the Unions remains staunchly student centered. Although its facilities have long been protected by and for students, it is the core purpose of the Unions that students know is most worth protecting. While it remains firmly student centered, it is simultaneously a bridge among the many communities at KU and throughout Lawrence, and a physical and conceptual connector between the geographies of campus and the decentralized nature of the University. Students describe it as emblematic of KU itself—tradition permeates its culture, pride and humility live together in balance, collaboration and support are the norm, civic commitments and activist tendencies are incubated, and an epic sense of the possible surprises visitors. Experiencing the Unions also means experiencing the stories, egalitarianism, sophistication, and distinction that is KU. It is homey; all students feel a high sense of ownership regardless of their backgrounds, futures, or perspectives. Spaces containing highly responsive services needed for daily life on campus are harmonious with comfortable spaces for learning, engaging, performing, and experiencing. Internal circulation and interior-to-exterior synergy are coherent and understandable. The Unions campus location(s) unabashedly reinforce(s) its mission and commitments, with community building at the center – physically, programmatically, and philosophically. The Unions are widely viewed as significant contributors to the almost unexplainable emotional attachment that thousands of students and alumni have for KU. The Unions’ future is as bold as the University’s aspirations.
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Research Process
THE UNIVERSITY OF KANSAS KU MEMORIAL UNIONS
Review of KU Planning Documents The vision articulated in The Bold Idea explores the role for KU Memorial Unions as it seeks to interpret and enact the University’s ambitions through its future programs, places, and experiences. KU Memorial Unions is to provide community and intellectual hubs that serve as a symbols of pride, reflections of University character, incubators for civic commitment, and sources of place attachment. The Steering Committee’s vision reflects the goals of the campus, the values of the University, and the potential of its people. Achieving the vision will require the courage to embrace the traditions of the past while accelerating efforts to meet the needs of today and tomorrow. The physical campus has grown significantly since Kansas Union was built in 1928 and is forecast to grow considerably in the years to come. A fundamental (and fundamentally difficult) question for KU leadership to answer will be how to position KU Memorial Unions physically and programmatically for the growth that has already occurred and is planned to occur. When a union’s organizational purpose is tightly coupled with institutional needs, it is better able to offer programs, services, and spaces which afford students opportunities to experience diversity, develop leadership, and more fully participate in campus and community life. Simultaneously, these unions can serve as a means for faculty, staff, alumni, and other members of the university family to build community with each other and affinity with the institution. Commitment to the redevelopment of KU Memorial Unions will advance the achievement of these and other institutional priorities.
In short, a path for the future of KU Memorial Unions is well marked. What an exciting time to be a Jayhawk!
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Research Process
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Campus Visit One: Strategic Visioning On the first visit to campus, the planning team set out to learn as much as possible about KU’s campus culture and to explore opportunities for KU Memorial Unions in light of the recently developed Campus Master Plan. Workshop Architects engaged over 135 students, faculty, staff members, and alumni. This research included 15 focus groups, 32 intercept interviews with students all around campus, one campus tour, and one meeting with the project’s Steering Committee. The team also conducted an interactive Strategic Positioning Workshop to discuss University values, assess KU Memorial Unions’ strengths and weaknesses, and examine priorities for the campus.
Strategic Positioning Workshop Physical campus and facility planning is ideally conducted after an organization has already assessed its capabilities, understood its context, and imagined its priorities. Similarly the Strategic Positioning Workshop for KU Memorial Unions included an environmental scan and visioning exercise early in the process. The overall project was conceptualized as a research study – with a research question, a series of tests and scenarios, and eventual recommendations and conclusions. To begin the process, the research question was stated as: “What future do we imagine for the Unions given the context we know and the changes we can predict?” The Strategic Positioning Workshop was conducted to offer context and develop a vision that both reflects organizational values and serves as a foundation for further study. Later investigation included various campus and facility scenarios as well as consultant and campus recommendations.
Campus Master Plan Review Kicking off the Strategic Positioning Workshop, David Mucci, Unions Director, outlined a draft of the preliminary Campus Master Plan which features a new Jayhawk Trail to connect main campus and west campus, the development of a research park and retail/ housing mix on 19th and Iowa, and the addition of DeBruce Center and the School of Business flanking Naismith Drive on the southern portion of campus. As the campus continues to grow to the south and west, Kansas Union appears to be even farther from the center of campus. The possibility of a new Union, located near Wescoe Hall and Anschutz Library, sparked discussion of the potential for transforming Kansas Union into an outward facing building for retail, conferencing, and hospitality. This continued growth to the west also suggests the potential for a distributed unions model for KU, with gathering spaces, dining venues, and social hubs throughout campus. Many see facilities such as Anschutz and Wescoe, with “union-like” services as competition for the Kansas Union and Burge, which bookend the main stretch of academic functions on campus.
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THE UNIVERSITY OF KANSAS KU MEMORIAL UNIONS
Research Process Campus Visit One: Strategic Visioning SWOT Analysis
During the Strategic Positioning Workshop, participants worked in groups to identify internal strengths and weaknesses of KU Memorial Unions, as well as external threats and opportunities. These discussions occurred in small groups, with later large group thematic validations. This exercise, commonly called a SWOT Analysis, resulted in the following consensus themes:
• • •
Internal
• • •
Positive
Negative
STRENGTHS
WEAKNESSES
Credible organization with a strong and positive reputation Staff are innovative and forward-thinking Financially self-sufficient with a successful business model Student-centric (e.g. employment, welcoming input) Highly responsive to student and other customer needs Services are well done and appropriate to campus needs
• • • • • • • • • • • •
OPPORTUNITIES •
External
• • • • • • • •
Outreach to special and under-served populations (e.g. multicultural, commuters, prospective) Campus willingness for collaboration and reaching across boundaries Connection with local community partners Develop “magnetic” space to draw (e.g. concerts, programming, alcohol in responsible setting) The campus desires gathering and community place(s) Bring programming to campus from Mass Street Partnering with academics for student success Partnering with athletics (particularly Burge for basketball) Campus Master Plan is already including Unions in conversations
Burge’s mission is unclear; facility is unwelcoming and too linked with Athletics. Facility conditions are old, poor, dated, & small Lack of student fee revenues to support change Facility limitations and structure (e.g. history, legacy, sightlines, sectional) West Campus and Daisy Hill are not well served Services and offerings use old school approach Campus location(s) are a problem Unions role is under-developed (e.g. retention, arts) Missing space that is “sticky,” fun, and generates a “salon culture” Too auxiliary in orientation because of necessary business model Not enough collaboration with others; silo-type thinking KU 9am-5pm culture drives operational and service hours.
THREATS • • • • • •
Increasing competition (e.g. outsourcing, private housing, conference center, DeBruce, library) Few students live on campus Perception of KU as extravagant and expensive Decentralization and “atomization” across campus (e.g. student services, lounges, dining) Parking and transit dependency Dropping enrollment; retention problems (enrollment management)
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Research Process
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Campus Visit One: Strategic Visioning KU Memorial Unions draws upon its considerable self-sufficiency, innovation, business model, student-centered focus, and mix of services. Yet, there is concern that the organization is not yet operating in a way that is consistent with its goals to play a more central role in academic and social life and to collaborate with other campus organizations. The Unions are also using an old-school model that satisfies business needs, but falls short in terms of fulfilling a more ambitious vision. In addition, there are a number of limitations associated with the current facilities which are older, too small, and lacking “sticky spaces� that attract and anchor students. Parts of the campus are underserved, and the locations of the Union facilities appear less than optimal. For example, Kansas Union is at the east edge of the campus, rather than the center. Burge Union’s mission is unclear, and while new facilities are being built, their impact on the campus will not be known until they are up and running. Other venues are able to compete with the Kansas Union and Burge in terms of serving basic needs. There are many opportunities for KU Memorial Unions to achieve the ambitions outlined in The Bold Idea. These opportunities include reaching out to underserved populations; connecting with community, athletic, and academic partners; and developing new venues that draw people to events and places that foster gathering and community.
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THE UNIVERSITY OF KANSAS KU MEMORIAL UNIONS
Research Process Campus Visit One: Strategic Visioning Visioning Exercise
The results of the SWOT Analysis were subsequently utilized to conduct a Strategic Visioning Exercise. Project consultants guided participants though a series of four questions which clarified the most important aspects of KU Memorial Unions’ purpose as well as the physical changes necessary to achieve it. The essential questions asked of the participants were:
1. What University values will be visible, amplified, and palpable in the future KU Memorial Unions? 2. What unique or distinctive role will KU Memorial Unions fulfill for the University? 3. What words will students use to describe their experiences with KU Memorial Unions? 4. What activities or physical changes are needed to fulfill these aspirations?
The results helped to reveal inherent organizational capabilities and aspirations, depict a preferred future, and identify key facility and programming strategies, all of which may contribute to University goals and the emerging Campus Master Plan. The results of the workshop are foundational to the study and to the construction of the themes and objectives of the project.
VALUES
EXPERIENCES
CHANGES
inclusion & diversity
second place
bar
community hub
third place
lounge
welcoming
atmosphere
blow up Burge
FUN
ROLES
uniquely KU
ACTIVITIES
student-focused
comfortable space outdoor space
technology
student involvement
activities
entertainment
community
speaking engagements
involvement
dining
social norming/ social capacity
arts & culture
collaboration
conference center
stewardship
bigger auditorium go where students are take Wescoe space services & hospitality recruitment & retention retail & services home
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Research Process
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Campus Visit One: Strategic Visioning
Members of the KU community participate in the SWOT Anaylsis (above) and the Visioning Exercise (below).
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Research Process
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Campus Visit One: Strategic Visioning VISIT ONE TAKE-AWAYS AND SCENARIOS Wescoe Beach, the Underground, and the Learning Commons in Anschutz Library are the most active and vibrant spaces on campus, given their location in the center of academic quad.
Burge Union is underutilized and many students feel that only athletes are welcome there. Some students don’t know what amenities are offered in Burge or don’t even know that the building exists.
Many participants support the idea of a new Union/Library hybrid in place of Wescoe Hall. This building would support the goal to integrate student and academic affairs. It would include dining venues, lounge and study space, meeting rooms, classrooms, and student organizations. Meeting and event space, retail, and some dining and lounge space would remain in Kansas Union. These services, in combination with its location and access to parking, would cater to the off-campus community.
Anschutz Library (left) and Wescoe Hall’s Underground (right) are active spaces, located in the center of academic quad.
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Research Process
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Vision Tours
North Carolina State University - Hunt Library As part of the visioning and research process, Workshop Architects led two tours of exemplary facilities to help inspire and imagine possibilities for the KU Memorial Unions. The Director of the Unions and several members of KU’s student senate joined the tour. The first building experience was North Carolina State University’s newly constructed Hunt Library, an awe-inspiring space that left the group invigorated by the overall design and amenities. Despite the building’s primary function as a library, there was a very apparent buzz of activity; in certain spaces, strategically woven into the building, social vibrancy and collaboration were alive whereas other areas fostered quiet, focused study. Hunt Library is also rich in cutting edge technology that serves to supply information, encourage interaction, and provide entertainment. The building is flooded with daylight and is designed to embrace surrounding outdoor features. Many spaces throughout the building are flexible for lectures, study, and programming. Hunt Library was viewed by the group as being delightfully playful as well as conducive to the innovative, intellectual, and scholastically driven nature of the students.
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Research Process
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Vision Tours
University of Wisconsin, Madison - Union South Union South at the University of Wisconsin, Madison was another exemplary facility toured by the group. In contrast to Hunt Library, Union South has a vivacious space that transforms during special events, such as Badger Bash (below, top left). The outdoor terraces facing Camp Randall Football Stadium, which serve as outdoor seating and host programmed events, flood with red as UW’s premier tailgating event overtakes the Union. The Sett club space becomes the destination spot for watching Badger football, or for an especially cozy experience, people can lounge by the fireplace and watch the game on the Union’s mobile monitors. Marcus Tetwiler, KU’s Student Body President, experienced an entirely different personality of Union South. The night prior to Badger Bash, the building was full of students studying in groups or individually, as well as socializing and getting amped up for a night out on State Street, downtown Madison’s main social hub. In his report, Wisconsin, On! A Brief on University of Wisconsin’s Union South, Tetwiler spotlighted the stickiest spaces of the building, used for studying, socializing, and springboarding from one activity to the next. Union South is used as a staging area for students to prepare themselves for a night out, or as they head into academia. Overall, Union South embraces so many functions, both indoors and out, and is such a malleable space, that it can adapt to any event or purpose.
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Research Process
THE UNIVERSITY OF KANSAS KU MEMORIAL UNIONS
Vision Tours The group experienced the variety of functions and features both buildings had to offer: study areas, collaboration spaces, technology centers, great food venues with a mix of options, recreational activity, flexible programming spaces, meeting and conference rooms, vibrant outdoor connections, and comprehensive and inviting design. Most notably, both buildings stood out for their social vitality. Hunt Library caters to the curious and dedicated student as well as the architecture and design aficionado. Union South has a plethora of offerings and qualities that encompass and celebrate Madison’s unique culture. These vision tours highlighted two facilities that, while on the periphery of each campus, are such a draw to students and the campus community that they have quickly become hugely successful destination buildings. This revelation was a turning point for the way that the Steering Committee and Workshop team thought about the position of KU Memorial Unions. Until this point, the focus had been on Wescoe Hall and Anschutz Library as the center of campus. Constructing a new Union in the heart of academic life was the most commonly expressed idea. Instead, can we imagine a building so remarkable that it draws students to the location of the current Kansas Union?
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Can we imagine a building so remarkable that it draws students to the location of the current Kansas Union?
“One must be able to boast about their space as if it were a Viking Warrior hall because stickiness requires a connection to success.” “The individuals were at various tables, yet with spaces that allowed for collaboration. There was a free-flowing movement in the room that made the space a center for new interactions.” “This event space had a nightly utility as a ‘launching pad’ meeting place to depart beyond campus for the more wild pursuits of the evening.” Marcus Tetwiler, Wisconsin On!
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Research Process
THE UNIVERSITY OF KANSAS KU MEMORIAL UNIONS
Campus Visit Two: Opportunities Exploration
Opportunities Exploration Workshop Between the first and second visits, the planning team conducted a benchmarking study in which they investigated institutions similar to the University of Kansas, gathering enrollment and student fee information as well as the details of recent Student Union construction and renovation projects. These universities included academic peers, local competition, and other institutions in the Big 12 conference. A summary of these findings, as well as some particular case studies of new student union projects, was presented during the second visit to campus.
OKLAHOMA STATE UNIVERSITY Student Union 366,200 SF $80 million 2012
Informal Student Life Plaza Outdoor Student Programming Space New Prominently Located Bookstore Series of New Branded Micro-Restaurants Flexible Meeting and Lounge Space Distinct Branding and Finishes
EMPORIA STATE UNIVERSITY Memorial Union 168,000 SF $23 million 2012
Large Exterior Windows Conferencing Capacity Visual Connection Between Floors Center for Student Involvement Multicultural Center Information and Ticket Sales Desk
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Research Process
THE UNIVERSITY OF KANSAS KU MEMORIAL UNIONS
Campus Visit Two: Opportunities Exploration
Also presented during the second workshop were common themes that emerged from the analysis of all notes and meeting minutes gathered during the first campus visit. These themes included campus-wide considerations as well as goals and programmatic needs specific to the Kansas Union. Below is a list of these themes, as well as a count of the number of times each idea was mentioned by a member of the KU campus community.
CAMPUS-WIDE CONSIDERATIONS Burge is Underutilized (51) Decentralization & Atomization (51) Parking & Transportation (32)
EMERGING GOALS FOR KANSAS UNION
Impact of Topography & Landscape (25)
Embrace Current Location (47)
Unions’ Relationship with Athletics (17)
Become the Living Room of Campus (24) Improve Dining Model (23) Increase Visibility of Student Groups & Services (22)
EMERGING PROGRAMMATIC NEEDS FOR KANSAS UNION
Incorporate Academics in the Union (21) Extend Hours of Operation (20)
Programming Opportunities (28) Individual & Group Study Spaces (25) Increased Outdoor Space (21) Technology Lounge (20) Conference & Convention Center (16) Community Gathering Place (14) Coffee Shop (13) Improved Meeting Rooms (10)
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Research Process
THE UNIVERSITY OF KANSAS KU MEMORIAL UNIONS
Campus Visit Two: Opportunities Exploration Considering the extensive notes, research, and themes from the first campus visit, as well as the exemplary facilities highlighted in the benchmarking case studies and vision tours, the planning team presented the following thesis statement at the start of the Opportunities Exploration Workshop. This idea was meant to be challenged and explored, giving further direction to the project and to the future of KU Memorial Unions.
Thesis:
Kansas Union can become a destination, the anchor of campus student life. When this is accomplished, the perceived distance from Wescoe Beach will no longer be an issue. Three small groups were formed to discuss opportunities for Kansas Union as presented in the thesis statement. Participants worked with stacking models to explore spatial relationships within the existing building as well as potential new expansions. The groups then reconvened to present their “Big Picture” ideas and specific project priorities.
GROUP 1 BIG PICTURE: • Expand the building to the northwest • Keep dining on 3rd floor, adding physical openings in floor and ceiling • Add micro destination-quality restaurants • Add a multi-level restaurant/club • Create a coffee house/winter garden addition, thickly programmed with an open lounge and fireplace • Relocate the ballroom to a new addition over parking structure • Create a balcony in Woodruff • Extend roof decks PRIORITIES: • Expand social and student organization space
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GROUP 2 BIG PICTURE: • Include a winter garden • Expand building on the northwest corner • Open up 4th floor • Draw students between 6 and 10pm • Keep meeting space on floors 5 and 6, increasing its flexibility PRIORITIES: • Repurpose Jaybowl • Enhance vertical space • Rethink level 3 dining, the organization of physical space • Rethink parking and transit • Create a flexible programming space
GROUP 3 BIG PICTURE: • Create a stronger connection between MRC and the rest of the Union • Have connection points to the garage on lower 4 levels • Build out west of MRC to make the connection • Create a club with campus views • Open up the 4th floor and include a big fireplace • Move Hawkshop to southwest corner and connect with Jayhawk Ink to create a Kinkosesque place PRIORITIES: • Run power and data throughout dining areas • Incorporate a coffee house off the plaza • Kill Jaybowl and add a restaurant and club • Include a Liberty Hall-esque bar/pub
Conclusion This multi-faceted, unfolding, and participatory research process affirmed the strategy that the existing Kansas Union can become a vibrant destination, the anchor of campus student life. Renovating the existing Kansas Union is worthwhile in lieu of building a brand new facility in the center of campus, assuming that problems inherent to the building (way finding and limited connectivity between floors) can be mitigated. Thus, KU Memorial Unions will be better able to respond geographically and programmatically to campus needs.
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Project Goals
THE UNIVERSITY OF KANSAS KU MEMORIAL UNIONS
Reframing Kansas Union Unique among the different facilities, Kansas Union has a special sense of place and can fill a distinctive role for KU Memorial Unions and the University of Kansas. This section articulates the goals that the renovation needs to accomplish in order for Kansas Union to become a true destination and anchor of campus life. First, consider what Kansas Union can become relative to Wescoe and Anschutz, two venues that serve immediate needs; they are convenient, but not remarkable. One grabs lunch or coffee and finds a perch to socialize and study between classes. In the future, there will be more of these expedient stops as western growth of the campus continues. Next, consider Burge Union, used mainly by athletes and law students, given its proximity to Allen Field house and Green Hall. Many students are unaware of what services Burge has to offer and the majority of intercept interview participants had never been there. A common theme, mentioned over 50 times in meetings and interviews, is the lack of activity in Burge. It is important to note that Burge does fill a significant need for meeting spaces during the times that rooms in Kansas Union are full. With the imminent construction of DeBruce Center adjacent to Allen Field house, it would be wise to wait and see what impact this new facility will have on Burge Union. The presence of new dining facilities, training tables, and gathering spaces in such close proximity will undoubtedly have an effect on Burge and the best response to this new situation can be determined once DeBruce has been completed.
How can Kansas Union become a destination and anchor for student life? Conceptually, Kansas Union can be the “mothership” of social hubs, with off-campus venues to the northeast and campus satellites extending through academic quad, down the hill, and into West Campus. Architecturally, Kansas Union is wonderfully situated to fill this role. Kansas Union’s architectural potential can be framed in terms of its front, back, and center:
Front Following the ridge of Mount Oread, Jayhawk Boulevard is the organizing spine for the campus with Kansas Union as the first destination. The Union signals that you have arrived on campus and serves as a connection between Lawrence and the academic quad. Students say everything is centered on Jayhawk Boulevard, that you can see everyone here, and that it creates a sense of community. Located at the start of Jayhawk Boulevard, the Union could act as an anchor, a place to arrive and linger, not just to grab and go. Leveraging transit and parking opportunities, as well as opening the front of the Union onto the plaza, could make it even more exceptional.
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Project Goals
THE UNIVERSITY OF KANSAS KU MEMORIAL UNIONS
Reframing Kansas Union Back The western side of Kansas Union has access to terraces, a roof garden, and world-class views. Given the length of the structure as well as its six levels, the views from each place in the building are unique. For example, one can see the stadium from the dining area and views of nature from the Traditions Lounge. When asked to name their favorite spots on campus, many students described views of Marvin Grove, Potter Lake, and Campanile. Kansas Union is positioned to take advantage of these unique views, both from inside the building and outside on terraces and roof gardens. Strategically reorganizing functions could also appropriately pair views of nature for study areas and views of the stadium for more active, social zones.
Center Kansas Union is located at the nexus of the University of Kansas and downtown Lawrence. Yet, every map of the campus shows the building at the edge and neglects to include the vibrant activity that is happening just on the other side of Ohio Street. What if we were to redraw the map so that Kansas Union is at the center of student life, both on and off campus? This could change the perception of the psychological distance of Kansas Union from academic quad, also making it appear closer to West Campus and Daisy Hill. It would rebrand Kansas Union as the connection between campus and town, becoming the staging place as students prepare for class or for a night out on Massachusetts Street. In addition, a common theme throughout the research process was to address parking and transportation issues. Kansas Union is conveniently located for accessing the campus and Lawrence, by walking, bike, bus, or car. It takes ten minutes to walk from Kansas Union to most of Jayhawk Boulevard and Massachusetts Street.
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KANSAS UNION MASSACHUSETTS ST JAYHAWK BLVD
5 MINUTE WALK 10 MINUTE WALK 15 MINUTE WALK
KANSAS UNION MASSACHUSETTS ST JAYHAWK BLVD
5 MINUTE RIDE 10 MINUTE RIDE
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Project Goals
THE UNIVERSITY OF KANSAS KU MEMORIAL UNIONS
Leveraging Kansas Union’s Strengths
Measure of a Campus What does it mean to measure a campus? The currency of a college campus is tied to knowledge creation and transfer, strengthening and creating new social connections, campus pride and identity, and the university’s capacity for fun, play, and relaxation. Thus, we can think about the KU campus as a blend of places and experiences that generate four types of capital:
Symbolic: Places and traditions that exemplify what it means to be a Jayhawk. Restorative: Natural settings that restore and revitalize the body and mind. Intellectual: Spaces where learning and knowledge creation and transfer take place. Social: Hubs of activity that strengthen and expand social networks and promote goodwill.
Kansas Union is already a rich resource for symbolic and restorative capital. It is a place that offers world-class views to nature and campus landmarks. The building itself has thick historic and social ties to the University and beyond. To achieve its full potential, Kansas Union must leverage its strong symbolic and restorative capital to increase social and intellectual capital. This will distinguish Kansas Union’s role on campus, change the perception of the building as it relates to the “center of campus,” and transform Kansas Union into a unique destination.
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THE UNIVERSITY OF KANSAS KU MEMORIAL UNIONS
Project Goals Symbolic Capital
Promote Affinity with the Institution A common need articulated by the KU community was to improve recruitment and retention efforts. Specifically, participants in the Strategic Positioning Workshop identified “dropping enrollment” and “retention problems” as two major threats and expressed the desire to increase outreach to prospective students. Many students and staff members mentioned that the Union could use a “wow factor,” something to catch the eyes of visitors and prospective students, drawing them in and leaving a lasting impression. The Kansas Union offers numerous opportunities for students to get involved, but many of these services and groups are hidden by the poor sightlines of the existing building. Increasing visibility to activity will improve the first impression of campus for prospective students, and will also invite current students to get involved and become part of the KU community, thus strengthening their connection to the University and to the people in it.
“We need something key for new students to connect with the space.” -- Staff “You have one minute to make an impact.” -- Staff “If what you’re doing isn’t related to retention, you would be seen as off-base.” -- Strategic Positioning Workshop
“It’s important to see involvement. The current spaces aren’t ideal.” -- Staff
“We need an epic moment. A wow factor.”
-- Strategic Positioning Workshop
“A place to express being a Jayhawk.” -- Staff
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Reflect KU Tradition, Values, and History The Kansas Union has a rich history that is intertwined with the history of KU itself. There are many opportunities to incorporate KU culture into the Union building: featuring rock chalk, displaying photos of important Union events, or simply enhancing students’ experiences on the Hill. Kansas Union is also the seat of student government, providing the chance to showcase the significant civic and egalitarian quality of KU culture.
1919
The campus gathers to create a union memorial to WWI deceased
“It’s an egalitarian campus. There’s a lack of a caste system between students, faculty, and staff.” -- Steering Committee Member
“Students are pragmatic, civil, modest, and have a sense of humility.”
1940
Approximately 500 university men undergo draft registration in Kansas Union
1942
War takes over campus. The basement and Ballroom are used for Navy Mess meals.
1943
The Union Board votes to integrate all of Kansas Union.
1970
On April 20, the Kansas Union was set ablaze. The work of an arsonist, the fire destroyed the top two floors of the building. The fire was among many instances of unrest that year including protests and bomb threats. From moving furniture and art out of the building to pulling hoses off fire trucks, students helped firefighters the night the Kansas Union burned. (shown above)
-- Staff
“KU has strong traditions like athletics and Union programs. SUA is 75 years old.” -- Undergraduate Student
“You’re immediately immersed in history.” -- Undergraduate Student
“Play into the tradition and history-rich nature about KU.” -- Strategic Positioning Workshop
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Project Goals
THE UNIVERSITY OF KANSAS KU MEMORIAL UNIONS
Restorative Capital
Provide Vantage Points to Enjoy Campus Views Students appreciate the KU campus for its natural beauty. When asked to name the best spaces on campus, some students spoke of buildings or specific rooms, but many described their favorite views. The Kansas Union affords many fine views which are perfect for restoration and escape from the stresses of school and work. The Union can be reorganized to take advantage of (and be elevated by) these views, with quiet spaces overlooking Marvin’s Grove. Conversely, club/programming space can be situated to feature views to the stadium and campus life.
“The landscape makes KU unique. It’s really pretty.” -- Sophomore, Intercept Interview
“Marvin’s Grove and Potter Lake are sacred, historic land.” -- Staff
“I fell in love with the campus.” -- Junior, Intercept Interview
“The hill is my favorite. Views are pretty.” -- Graduate Student, Intercept Interview
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THE UNIVERSITY OF KANSAS KU MEMORIAL UNIONS
Project Goals Restorative Capital
Improve and Expand Outdoor Spaces The Kansas Union features a plaza, terraces, and a rooftop patio, but these spaces are underutilized and are not currently activated by adjacent interior functions. Reorganizing internal elements, improving connections and sightlines, and creating additional outdoor spaces will help to develop better interior to exterior synergies. Specific goals in the Opportunities Exploration Workshop included extending roof decks, better incorporating the terrace on the west side of the building, and designing a coffee house to activate the plaza on Jayhawk Boulevard. Any of these improvements would provide better access to nature, fresh air, and daylight, increasing the restorative properties of Kansas Union.
“We want more outdoor seating.” -- Undergraduate Student “We would love a larger plaza with power connections and staging space.” -- Union Programs
“An outdoor social union to express community.” -- Staff “Increase indoor/outdoor connections.” -- Steering Committee Member
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THE UNIVERSITY OF KANSAS KU MEMORIAL UNIONS
Project Goals Restorative Capital
Create Places to Relax and Unwind Many KU students are far from the places where they grew up and would like the Union to be a warm and convivial place where they feel at home. They want a place where they feel comfortable to gather, socialize, and unwind. Student unions are often thought of as what Ray Oldenburg calls “third places” (e.g., coffee shops, recreation centers, movie theatres) which are distinct from home and work places. Kansas Union can offer a range of third places, filling a significant need for the campus community.
“I want a relaxed environment. More comfortable.” -- Graduate Student, Intercept Interview
“A stress-relieving environment.” -- Strategic Positioning Workshop
“In the Hawk’s Nest you can eat on the sofa and no one will care.” -- Senior, Intercept Interview
“There’s no hangout or welcoming space.” -- Staff
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THE UNIVERSITY OF KANSAS KU MEMORIAL UNIONS
Project Goals Intellectual Capital Converge Student Affairs and Academic Success
The University of Kansas is a world-class institution with a strong and positive reputation. Students are proud to be a part of the Jayhawk community and are serious about their education and the research-oriented goals of the University. It became clear in the focus groups and intercept interviews that Kansas Union would need to provide academic support and resources as well as individual and group study spaces if it were to successfully draw students to the building.
“The role of the Union is the intersection of Student Affairs and Academic Affairs.” -- Staff “Integrate academics into the Union.” -- Steering Committee Member “Bridge in and out of the classroom.” -- Strategic Positioning Workshop “We need spaces to study in groups. Big study tables.” -- Sophomore, Intercept Interview
“We need quiet, individual workstations.” -- Freshman, Intercept Interview
“There are social silos and a desire for cross-pollination.” -- Staff “Social, academic, and political intersections.” -- Strategic Positioning Workshop “We need a space where students, faculty, and staff can all interact together.” -- Undergraduate Student
“I never see anyone who’s not in pharmacy school.”
“Encourage cross-department conversation. Interdisciplinary collaboration is untapped.” -- Strategic Positioning Workshop
-- Graduate Student
Promote Cross-Disciplinary Interaction As the campus continues to grow and become more decentralized, members of the KU community are being siloed, based on their location or area of study. There is a strong desire to create a place for everyone to come together to interact both socially and intellectually. Kansas Union can become a place for cross-disciplinary collaboration, offering co-working spaces, forums for political opinion, community dining experiences, and venues for social activity.
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THE UNIVERSITY OF KANSAS KU MEMORIAL UNIONS
Project Goals Intellectual Capital
Improve Access to Technologies Participants in focus groups and intercept interviews were asked to suggest possible improvements to the current Kansas Union. Many responses included the incorporation or improvement of technology in the building. Providing additional computers, printers, outlets, and charging stations would draw students to the Union between classes to study. Increasing access to flexible technology in meeting rooms, study spaces, and even dining and lounge areas would promote group work and collaboration in all areas of the building.
“We’re trying to catch up with other universities that we should be in terms of research and technology.” -- Steering Committee Member
“There’s no place in the Union to print. They got rid of the computer lab, so people go to Anschutz.” -- Undergraduate Student
“Computers are few and crowded. You have to fight for them. More technology would bring grads to the Union.” -- Graduate Student
“Meetings are moving into academic buildings because they have better technology.” -- Staff
“We should have more technology: student alcoves and booths with more outlets.” -- Sophomore, Intercept Interview
“We need technology and computers and better places to study.” -- Freshman, Intercept Interview
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These are two innovative uses of technology in North Carolina State’s Hunt Library: an interactive media board (above) and a pod for collaborative group work (below)
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THE UNIVERSITY OF KANSAS KU MEMORIAL UNIONS
Project Goals Social Capital
Build Community Jayhawks crave a place to come together. They currently flock to the convenient spaces that are available, but express displeasure with the quality of these places (particularly, Anschutz Library and Wescoe’s Underground). The theme of community was expressed throughout the research phase and there is a clear need to expand social gathering space in the Union. Student organization space should also be improved and made transparent, helping to fulfill KU’s burgeoning service-focused aspirations. For example, the Big Event helps to build campus community as students work together to help the people of Lawrence.
“Create and foster community.” -- Strategic Positioning Workshop “Where is the place to come together?” -- Graduate Student “It’s about welcoming space for social activity and collaboration.” -- Strategic Positioning Workshop
“We want to serve both students and the community.” -- University Retail
“KU embraces diversity. It sparked my interest in politics and culture.” -- Student, Intercept Interview
“Services are tailored to undergrads.” -- Graduate Student “More support for international and ESL students.” -- Freshman, Intercept Interview
“KU is a good place to study, but not a good place for a family.” -- Graduate Student
Welcome All A number of ideas emerged throughout the research phase which center on the theme of welcoming and serving all students: traditional undergraduates, graduates, commuters, students with families, international students, veterans, and underrepresented minorities. Among the priorities is the goal to create a stronger connection between the Multicultural Center and the Union. Though not strictly architectural, participants suggested that Union Management consider the impact of hours of operation and access to parking and transportation on all students.
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Project Goals
THE UNIVERSITY OF KANSAS KU MEMORIAL UNIONS
Social Capital
Balance the Transactional with the Relational One of the Union’s most apparent strengths is its financial self sufficiency and successful business model. Unfortunately, this reliance on auxiliary functions can make the building feel too transactional – a place where students go to buy lunch or supplies and then leave. It is important to balance these two necessary elements: supporting the economic needs of the Union, while also creating environments to which people will be drawn and feel welcome to linger. Consider new retail and dining models that act as magnets and anchors and will generate even more revenue! Some ideas from the Opportunities Exploration Workshop include micro destination-quality restaurants, a thickly programmed coffee house connected to lounge space, a Liberty Hall-esque club for Union programs, and the reorganization and collocation of retail elements like Hawk Shop and Jayhawk Ink.
“Even with declining enrollment, sales are up.” -- University Retail “Food and retail are still the main economic drivers.” -- Strategic Positioning Workshop “Students see Kansas Union as transactional. It doesn’t do well - no attraction.” -- Staff “The Union only really serves: bookstore, meetings, food.” -- Student, Intercept Interview
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THE UNIVERSITY OF KANSAS KU MEMORIAL UNIONS
Project Goals Social Capital Create Venues for Performance and Entertainment
One weakness identified in the Strategic Positioning Workshop was a lack of fun space in the Union and an opportunity was to create magnetic space that would draw students to the Union for concerts and activities. Union Programs is also looking for additional event space and many students in focus groups lamented the loss of Milton’s coffee, which used to hold performances. Increasing the flexibility of dining and lounge spaces, and incorporating programming venues like a coffee house and club space, will provide opportunities for students to unwind and for Union Programs to host concerts, comedians, and dances in Kansas Union.
“We go off campus for concerts.” -- Undergraduate Student “We’re out of space for large events.” -- Staff “More activities and fairs in the middle of the year.” -- Senior, Intercept Interview
“That’s why we program in the Studio - for a coffee shop feel. Milton’s had that.” -- Union Programs
“There’s not a lot of programming on campus.” -- Undergraduate Student
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THE UNIVERSITY OF KANSAS KU MEMORIAL UNIONS
Project Goals Social Capital
Promote Leadership and Innovation The University of Kansas is a forward-thinking institution in which the students have always played a lead. Foregrounding student government, designing spaces that facilitate collaboration and encourage expressive communication, and providing access to technology and resources will encourage leadership and innovation to develop in the Union. Student participants were also open to the idea of relinquishing outmoded singlefunction spaces for innovative, thickly-programmed spaces that integrate study, dining, lounge, and technology.
“We need a forum for campus opinion.” -- Strategic Positioning Workshop “Student Input goes into everything.” -- Undergraduate Student “It’s a liberal arts type of community - progressive and liberal.” -- Staff “KU embraces change... It’s open and accepting to growth.” -- Residential Student “We want to move forward. We are forward-thinking in terms of services, products, and opportunities. We’re innovative socially.” -- Strategic Positioning Workshop
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THE UNIVERSITY OF KANSAS KU MEMORIAL UNIONS
Project Goals Social Capital
Encourage Participation by Increasing Visibility Students pointed out two primary groups on campus, affectionately referred to as “Union Rats” and “Club Schutz.” There are those who get involved in campus groups and activities in the Union and those who study and socialize in Anschutz Library. How can we get these groups to come together? Greater permeability, the reorganization of student services, and allowing functions to spill out onto the plaza would advertise the Union’s activities from the building’s entrance and from Jayhawk Boulevard. The convenience store, coffee house, and printing stations can be strategically located so that a stop at Kansas Union becomes a part of the everyday routine. These changes will also impact recruitment and retention. Prospective students will see immediately that they can get involved. Students will stay on campus if they feel comfortable, can take ownership of their experience and space, and make friends that share common goals and interests. Goals and priorities from the Opportunities Exploration Workshop include increasing vertical connections between floors of the Union, expanding social and student organization spaces, and creating stronger connections to Jayhawk Boulevard. “All the engaged and active students of any organization will use this building and know the wonderful things it has to offer.” -- Graduate Student
“The Union should be more open. I want to be involved, but you don’t really see any of that in the Union.” -- Sophomore, Intercept Interview
“The Union needs more activities. I came to KU because they advertised student life and activities, but it doesn’t seem that way.” -- Freshman, Intercept Interview
“SILK’s location is hidden. We have to step up outreach efforts; it doesn’t happen organically.” -- Undergraduate Student
“It’s assumed that people know where things are.” -- Graduate Student, Intercept Interview
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Explore Alternative Dining Options Financially, the current dining model is very successful, but venues in Kansas Union could be reorganized in a way that would enhance social interactions and bridge members of the community who may not otherwise come together. The University prides itself on being forward-thinking and would like to reassess the way the dining facilities are run in the Union, given the outdated model and infrastructure that are currently in place. Some specific ideas from the Opportunities Exploration Workshop include micro destination-quality restaurants, a coffee house, and a complete reorganization of the building’s 3rd floor.
“We’re limited by the infrastructure. Dated. 1980’s renovation and 30-year-old equipment.” -- Dining Services
“There used to be a Milton’s on the first floor. Now it lacks a coffee shop that’s open late.” -- Staff
“We want more name brands.” -- Undergraduate Student
“More variety in food.” -- Freshman, Intercept Interview
“Interspersed food, lounges, restaurants, bar areas. Not one food court.” -- Graduate Student, Intercept Interview
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Design Concepts
THE UNIVERSITY OF KANSAS KU MEMORIAL UNIONS
4TH FLOOR
• • • • • •
New coffee house Expanded lounge space Expanded student involvement Improved connection to multi-cultural center Open views to Memorial Stadium and Marvin Grove Active plaza on Jayhawk Blvd.
3RD FLOOR
• • • • •
Expanded lounge space Micro restaurant dining Bird’s nest event / lounge space Open views to Memorial Stadium and Marvin Grove New southern plaza MAY 12, 2014
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Design Concepts
THE UNIVERSITY OF KANSAS KU MEMORIAL UNIONS
2ND FLOOR
• • •
Bookstore restaurant Expanded lounge space Open views to club below
1ST FLOOR
• •
New club and restaurant New entrance plaza
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Located at the start of Jayhawk Boulevard, a revitalized community facing entrance plaza and outdoor cafe welcomes visitors and provides a meeting place for students to begin their day on campus or plan a night out in downtown Lawrence. Chairs and tables beneath retractable awnings and bosques of native trees add shade, scale and comfort. A series of outdoor terraces surround the Union, creating an experiential path connecting the upper and lower campus. The terraces strengthen inside-out connections between the union and the campus.
Activate the plaza in front of Kansas Union with a “street café” approach that opens out to the boulevard, and through new seating, service shelters, and plantings.
Create a new south terrace that connects Jayhawk Boulevard to the Mississippi Street and provide a new entry at the third level. To the west, create a new entrance plaza and second level entry.
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Nestled into the hillside of Mt. Oread (the highest point in Kansas) the Kansas Union’s west façade will be opened to reveal magnificent views of the campus topography and provide sunfilled student gathering environments.
Improve views to Memorial Stadium and Marvin Grove.
Create a new bookstore restaurant on the second floor with dramatic views to a new sports club on the first floor.
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New floor openings and stairs provide visual connections and overcome the circulation challenges of the existing six-story structure. One new opening, the “Birds Nest,” connects the entry/coffee house level with the dining lounge below. Nest-shaped stepped seating provides an environment for casual programming and will be a place for students to gather for Jayhawk “Watch Parties.” Student involvement, leadership and multicultural spaces are strategically located to enhance visibility and increase serendipitous encounters.
Create a stronger connection between the fourth and third floors with new stairs and new floor openings, including a “bird’s nest” tiered seating area that will serve as lounge focal point for staged events.
Build a new addition that includes a repositioned Alderson Auditorium and senate chambers partaking of the panoramic view of “The Hill.”
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Visioning for Dining Services 22 DINING LOCATIONS 3 Residential Dining Centers
5 Pulse Coffee and Smoothie Shops
2 Mixed Residential / Retail Dining Centers
7 Hawk Food Stops (including iQ Cafe)
4 Retail Cafes
1 Full-Service Restaurant
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Visioning for Dining Services STRATEGIC QUESTIONS FOR RETAIL DINING There is no perfect model that applies to every campus - the goal is to strike a balance between all three factors such that they are most closely aligned with the needs of the campus community and the resources available to meet those needs.
STAKEHOLDERS • • • • •
KU Memorial Unions KU Dining Services Student Housing Advisory Board Facilities Planning Provost / Deans
Program Structure & Financial Performance • • •
Increased profitability Challenge of distributed food service via requests by departments (Pharmacy, Murphy, Art, Business, Strong, etc). Balance of self-branded versus licensed/franchised options; distribution of choices across various operations (Underground, DeBruce, Kansas, etc)
Facilities Developments •
Mixed Use Retail proposal at 19th and Iowa (Starbucks, Panera, Applebees, etc.) and Edwards campus (Jayhawk Central)
•
Review of DeBruce Center dining operation food court concept
Programmatic Considerations • • • • •
Examination of the Joe’s Express (new concept in Kansas Union) Review of Burge Union retail solutions vis a vis training table developments Retail approach at Naismith (assuming partnership with external dorm) Kosher meal options on campus Food truck potential and pitfalls
Underlying Questions • • • • • • • • •
Define “profitability” How much is enough? How much is too much? Service vs. Business Mission – where do you sit on the spectrum? What is the current “capture rate” for KUDS? How saturated is the campus dining market? How well aligned are capacities and resources to needs? Which areas are overserved? Are any underserved? What criteria are used to assess this?
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Visioning for Dining Services Dining Workshop: Key Themes A dining workshop was held during Envision’s visit on November 19, 2013 to review current issues and explore goals and ideas for the future of dining. Key discussion points from this session were: • • •
•
• •
•
•
•
•
KU Dining Services is the result of the merger of two dining programs in 2004; at that time, most facilities needed significant updating and the program had no reserves Significant progress has been achieved in the quality and financial health of the program, with most of the focus placed on building the residential side of the program. It is now time to focus strategic planning efforts and investment on the retail side of the program, which has been growing steadily in the number of locations and overall revenue. Traditionally, KU has a frugal culture, which has impacted the way in which the retail program has been developed. While this is changing, it is still very important to operate the retail program in a financially self-sustaining manner so that it does not require “subsidy” from the residential program. In addition, KUDS is expected to cover all reinvestment costs while providing overhead contributions to the Unions and University administration. Dining and Unions struggle to meet the diversity of demands for retail dining within the Union buildings and around campus while meeting the financial expectations of the program In particular, there are several operations that do not generate enough revenue to cover operating costs and/or the expected overhead/debt service contributions and, therefore, put additional financial strain on the program. Examples of these include: • Some of the Food Stop Locations (Strong, Visual Arts, Murphy) • West Campus Operations (Mortar & Pestle, Pulse) To add to this challenge, requests for new locations continue to be received, putting KUDS in the position of having to evaluate the potential viability of these proposals. Even if the assessment is not favorable, broader institutional priorities may prevail, forcing the opening of a venue that at minimum may require a subsidy of some form, our could even negatively impact a nearby existing venue (for example, the new Business School café). Finally, some operations have inadequate facilities to efficiently support the current volumes they are experiencing, such as the Underground and Catering (which has doubled in recent years), but space and capital funding for these needs has not yet been identified. Ideal World Scenario for Dining: • Consolidate central campus operations and focus resources on Wescoe Beach • Right-size support facilities (especially at KU/Catering and Underground) • Reduce the number of, if not eliminate all operations that lose money • Respond to the Campus Master Plan (19th Street developments) • Procedure for logical vetting of new venue requests and proposals
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Visioning for Dining Services Dining Workshop: Mapping Exercise As part of the Dining Workshop, the group plotted the current venues and their respective annual revenues on the campus map for context (shown on slide 11). A future projection map was then developed based on goals identified for KUDS and taking into account anticipated campus developments. This is shown on slide 12 and is followed by a comparison of the future scenario to the current program with key assumptions noted. This version, developed during the Dining Workshop in November 2014, was based on the key strategy of addressing the growing demand for gathering space and dining options in the center of campus, and is labelled scheme “A”. It calls for a “New Central Campus Venue” linking Wescoe Hall with the Anschutz Library. In response to this development, it was anticipated that several of the smaller venues within close proximity would experience a reduction in revenues or potentially close. Further review of this strategy by key campus stakeholders revealed that: a. It may be unrealistic to develop this new building given many other competing priorities for capital funding; b. The Kansas Union is a valuable asset in itself, offering historic/cultural relevance, amazing views of campus, connection with the community, and convenient parking; and, c. Recent Union redevelopments at other campuses have shown that buildings with true destination value can become socially and economically vibrant places even if not centrally located.
Based on this new vision, a second scheme (“B”) was developed that focuses more on the redevelopment of the Kansas Union (pages 53-54).
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Visioning for Dining Services
North College Cafe $2,200,000
KU Dining Services Existing Strategic g Q Questions for Retail Dining g HFS/JRP Total $18,259,500 $
$101,000
KU: Impromptu, Market,, Pulse $1,200,000 Pharmacy: Mortar & Pestle, Pulse $134,000
HFS/Visual Arts $118,000
HFS/Strong $88,500
HFS/Spahr $111,000 Mrs E’s Mrs. $7,100,000
HFS/Watson $139,000 HFS/Murphy $76,000 Wescoe: Underground, Pulse $2,100,000
Hashinger: The Studio, Pulse $1,000,000
Burge: Crimson Café, Pulse $1,580,000
IQ C Café/Anschutz fé/A h t $312,000
Oliver: Dining Hall, OZone $2,000,000
11
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Visioning for Dining Services
North College Cafe $2,200,000
KU Dining Services Projected Strategic g Questions Q– “A” for Retail Dining g HFS/JRP Total $22,775,000 $
$101,000
KU: Impromptu, Market,, Pulse $1,000,000
New Central C Campus Venue V $400,000 Pharmacy: Mortar & Pestle, Pulse Closed
HFS/Visual Arts $75,000
HFS/Strong $70,000
HFS/Spahr $120,000 Food Truck $150,000
HFS/Watson $139,000 HFS/Murphy $50,000
Mrs E’s Mrs. $7,100,000
IQ Café Closed New Retail $100,000 Burge: Crimson Café, Pulse $1,200,000
Hashinger: The Studio, Pulse $1,000,000
Wescoe: Underground, Pulse $2,100,000 DeBruce $920,000 School of Business $50,000
International Dining Center $2,000,000 New Retail $1,000,000
Oliver: Dining Hall, OZone $3,000,000
12
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Visioning for Dining Services
Dining g Workshop: p Current vs. Projected j – “A” PROGRAM VENUE NAME Residential North College Café Mrs. E's New Retail Hashinger: The Studio, Pulse International Residence Hall Oliver: Dining Hall, Ozone
Retail
TYPE Dining Center Dining Center Kiosk C-Store, C Store, Coffee Dining Center
$ $ $ $ $
CURRENT REVENUES 2,200,000 7,100,000 1,000,000 -
Dining Center, Café
$
2,000,000
PROJECTED REVENUES $ 2,200,000 $ 7,100,000 $ 100,000 $ 1,000,000 $ 2,000,000 $
$ 12,300,000
$ 15,400,000
Restaurant, Food Co rt Coffee Court,
$
1,200,000
$
1,000,000
Wescoe: Underground + Pulse
Food Court, Coffee
$
2,100,000
$
2,100,000
Restaurants
$
$
400,000
Coffee
$
312,000
$
Hawk Food Stop / JRP Hawk Food Stop / Strong
Café Café
$ $
101,000 88,500
$ $
101,000 70,000
Hawk Food Stop / Visual Arts
Café
$
118,000
$
75,000
Hawk Food Stop / Watson Hawk Food Stop / Spahr Hawk Food Stop / Murphy
Café Café Café
$ $ $
139,000 111,000 76 76,000 000
$ $ $
139,000 120,000 50 50,000 000
Food Court Food Court, Coffee
$ $
1,580,000 -
$ $
1,200,000 920,000
School of Business
Café
$
-
$
50,000
19th Street Retail
Restaurants
$
-
$
1,000,000 , ,
West Campus Food Truck
Food Truck
$
-
$
150,000
Pharmacy: Mortar & Pestle, Pulse
Café, Coffee
$ 134,000 $ $ 5,959,500 $ 7,375,000 $ 18,259,500 $ 22,775,000
IQ Café / Anschutz
Burge: Crimson Café DeBruce Hall
TOTAL RESIDENTIAL AND RETAIL DINING
-
COMMENTS
Developed as part of new building Dining center for residents of new international residence hall Assumes residents of adjacent private residence hall purchase meal plans
3,000,000
KU: Impromptu, Market, Pulse
New Central Campus Venue
CHANGE
25% Reduction anticipated with opening of Panda E Express press and center camp campuss developments Currently overcrowded; new central campus venue not expected to impact Wescoe Part of new building; addresses Wescoe overcrowding and current IQ Café business Consolidated into new central campus venue Not impacted by proposed changes Expect some shift in traffic to new central campus venue Expect significant shift in traffic to new central campus venue
-
Slight growth expected Expect some shift in traffic to new central campus venue Coffee moves to DeBruce Anticipated to be new hub of activity beyond athletics; also includes training table Requested by Business School; low traffic expected Assumes p participation p byy KU Dining g in new public/private development Proposed replacement for Pharmacy café; assumes captures revenue from more than one location Closed due to lack of traffic 24% 25%
MAY 12, 2014
52
Visioning for Dining Services
North College Cafe $2,200,000
KU Dining Services Projected Strategic g Questions Q– “B” for Retail Dining g HFS/JRP Total $22,775,000 $
$101,000
KU: New Mix of g Venues Dining $1,440,000 Pharmacy: Mortar & Pestle, Pulse $134,000
HFS/Visual Arts $118,000
HFS/Strong $70,000
HFS/Spahr $120,000
HFS/Watson $139,000 HFS/Murphy $50,000
Mrs E’s Mrs. $7,100,000
IQ Café $312,000 New Retail $100,000 Burge: Crimson Café, Pulse $1,200,000
Hashinger: The Studio, Pulse $1,000,000
Wescoe: Underground, Pulse $2,100,000
DeBruce $920,000 School of Business $50,000
International Dining Center $2,000,000 New Retail $1,000,000
Oliver: Dining Hall, OZone $3,000,000
14
MAY 12, 2014
53
Visioning for Dining Services
Dining g Workshop: p Current vs. Projected j – “B” PROGRAM VENUE NAME Residential North College Café Mrs. E's New Retail Hashinger: The Studio, Pulse International Residence Hall Oliver: Dining Hall, Ozone
Retail
TYPE Dining Center Dining Center Kiosk C-Store, Coffee Dining Center
$ $ $ $ $
CURRENT REVENUES 2,200,000 7,100,000 1,000,000 -
Dining Center, Café
$
2,000,000
PROJECTED REVENUES $ 2,200,000 $ 7,100,000 $ 100,000 $ 1,000,000 $ 2,000,000 $
$ 12,300,000
$ 15,400,000
Restaurant,, Food Court, Coffee
$
1,200,000 , ,
$
1,440,000 , ,
Wescoe: Underground + Pulse
Food Court, Coffee
$
2,100,000
$
2,100,000
Restaurants Coffee Café Café
$ $ $ $
312,000 101,000 88,500 88 500
$ $ $ $
312,000 101,000 70,000 70 000
Café Café Café Café Food Court Food Court, Coffee
$ $ $ $ $ $
118,000 139,000 111,000 76,000 1,580,000 -
$ $ $ $ $ $
118,000 139,000 120,000 50,000 1,200,000 920,000
School of Business
Café
$
-
$
50,000
19th Street Retail
Restaurants
$
-
$
1,000,000
West Campus Food Truck
Food Truck
$
-
$
Pharmacy: Mortar & Pestle, Pulse
Café, Coffee
$
Hawk Food Stop / Visual Arts Hawk Food Stop / Watson Hawk Food Stop / Spahr Hawk Food Stop / Murphy Burge: Crimson Café DeBruce Hall
TOTAL RESIDENTIAL AND RETAIL DINING
134,000
$
Dining center for residents of new international residence hall Assumes residents of adjacent private residence hall purchase meal plans 25% Moderate ((20%)) g growth p projected j due to redevelopment of KU dining options (Panda Express revenues not included) Currently overcrowded; no growth projected unless facility expanded Removed from this scheme Not impacted by KU improvements Not impacted by KU improvements Expect some shift in traffic to new central campus venue Not impacted by KU improvements Not impacted by KU improvements Slight growth expected Expect some shift in traffic to DeBruce Coffee moves to DeBruce Anticipated to be new hub of activity beyond athletics; also includes training table Requested by Business School; low traffic expected Assumes participation by KU Dining in new public/private development Concept needs further research before can be considered a viable alternative to permanent venues No change, but may need to scale back further to remain viable
-
134,000
$ 5,959,500 $ 7,754,000 $ 18,259,500 $ 23,154,000
COMMENTS
Developed as part of new building
3,000,000
p p , Market,, Pulse KU: Impromptu,
New Central Campus Venue IQ Café / Anschutz Hawk Food Stop / JRP Hawk Food Stop / Strong
CHANGE
30% 27%
MAY 12, 2014
54
Visit #1 October 17-19, 2013
13-186 KU Memorial Unions Strategic Planning University of Kansas, Lawrence, KS
UNIVERSITY OF KANSAS MEMORIAL UNIONS STRATEGIC REPOSITIONING CAMPUS VISIT #1 DRAFT 10.16.13
IN KANSAS UNION GOVERNORS ROOM UNLESS NOTED OTHERWISE TEAM 1
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 17
9:00 - 10:00
TEAM 2 STRONG HALL VIEW
STEERING COMMITTEE MEETING
(Diane Goddard, Provost’s Office, Strong Hall)
9:30-10:00
1.1 10:00 - 11:00
STUDENT AFFAIRS
1.2 11:00 - 12:00
STUDENT HOUSING
1.3 12:00 - 1:00
LUNCH OBSERVATION (Market, Burge)
1:00 - 2:00
DINING SERVICES
1.4 2:00 - 3:00
CAMPUS PLANNING / MASTER PLAN
1.5 3:00 - 4:00
KEY CONFERENCE / EVENT CLIENTS
1.6 4:00 - 5:30 1.7 5:30 - 7:00 1.9
UNDERGRADUATE FOCUS GROUP (Kansas Union Curry Room)
GRADUATE FOCUS GROUP (Kansas Union Curry Room)
1.8
1.10
MULTICULTURAL FOCUS GROUP (Impromptu Private Dining Room)
RESIDENTIAL FOCUS GROUP (Impromptu Private Dining Room)
UNIVERSITY OF KANSAS MEMORIAL UNIONS STRATEGIC REPOSITIONING CAMPUS VISIT #1 DRAFT 10.16.13
IN KANSAS UNION GOVERNORS ROOM UNLESS NOTED OTHERWISE FRIDAY, OCTOBER 18
TEAM 1
TEAM 2
9:00 - 10:00
STRONG HALL VIEW
1.11 10:00 - 11:00
KU STAFF
1.12
CAMPUS TOUR
1.13 LUNCH OBSERVATION (Underground, Anschutz)
11:00 - 12:00
UNION PROGRAMS
12:00 - 1:00 1.14 1:00 - 2:00
SUA Exec, Union Advisors, KJHK, Big Event, CCO Representatives
BOOKSTORE RETAIL
1.15 2:00 - 3:00
FACILITIES
1.16 3:00 - 4:00
EVENT SERVICES
1.17 4:00 - 5:00
OVERVIEW WITH UNION DIRECTOR
UNIVERSITY OF KANSAS MEMORIAL UNIONS STRATEGIC REPOSITIONING CAMPUS VISIT #1 DRAFT 10.16.13
IN KANSAS UNION MALOTT ROOM SATURDAY OCTOBER 19
STRATEGIC POSITIONING WORKSHOP 1.18
8:45 - 9:00
GATHERING
9:00 - 9:15
INTRODUCTION Welcome, Description, Ground Rules, etc.
9:15 - 10:00
SCAN Master plan, Unions, Students
10:00 - 12:00
SWOT EXPRESS EXERCISE Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, Threats (30 minutes for each question. Consultant Theme is simultaneous)
12:00 - 12:30
DISCUSSION, CONCENSUS FACILITATION, CLOSURE
12:30 - 1:15
LUNCH
1:15 - 3:15
STRATEGIC VISIONING & PLANNING (30 minutes for each question)
3:15 - 3:45
DISCUSSION, CONCENSUS FACILITATION, CLOSURE
3:45 - 4:00
FINAL COMMENTS, DISCUSSION, NEXT STEPS
1.1
Steering Committee Meeting
Thursday, October 17, 2013 Kansas Union Governors Room 9:00am – 10:00am Attendees: Christy Kamphilay, SUA Vice President of Alumni and Community Camden Bender, SUA President Thomas Plummer, Chair and Board President David Mucci, Unions Director Lucy Russell, Assistant Vice Provost for Undergraduate Studies (briefly) Jan van den Kieboom, Workshop Architects (briefly) Peter van den Kieboom, Workshop Architects Angela Van Dyke, Workshop Architects Taryn Hicks, Workshop Architects Questions and Notes: 1. Tell us something about the culture of the campus that you can’t find on KU’s website. a. David: It’s an egalitarian campus. There is a lack of a caste system between students, faculty, and staff. b. Christy: Student Input goes into everything. c. Camden: It feels like a small campus because you see the same people all the time. d. Lucy: A surprising number of people don’t live on campus. Most students live off campus. There are no housing requirements, not even for first-year students. e. Thomas: Athletics is a campus driver, but it doesn’t have to be all we’re about. There’s a current shift of focus to service. 2. Possible Focus Group and Intercept Interview Questions: a. How can we better serve students? i. Every choice should benefit students. b. SUA financial situation might be a topic. c. There are 400-600 student employees. Do they feel a sense of mission and connection? d. Burge and DeBruce: How will the new building affect the campus? What’s the plan? e. What do people think of the Burge? f. Compared to other universities, what’s missing? 3. What is missing? a. They have been to OU, K-State, and Emporia. They have culture, fountains, and art – landmarks. Things that bring the community together. Big Epic University spaces. 4. What is the university’s mission? a. Thomas: To become the best educational institution it can be. This mission is purposefully vague. There is a clash between the state and university regarding cost. The Chancellor wants it to be the University of Illinois in terms of research, but the state legislature says a research goal is too expensive. In reality, KY is one of the cheapest in the Big 12. b. Christy: the mission is research, especially in terms of undergraduate opportunities. Improving technology is also a goal. c. Camden: They would never say this, but we’re trying to catch up with other universities that we should be in terms of research and technology (University of Missouri, VCU). There are no concrete plans as of yet. 5. Thoughts on Burge: a. “I hate it.” b. “I’ve only been there twice in my four years.” c. “I went there once to use the bathroom during a basketball game.” d. “Didn’t the university career services move there recently?” e. Burge is used for meetings if Kansas Union is full. f. 80% of people think Burge is the old union and Kansas is new. University of Kansas (KU) Memorial Unions Strategic Planning 13-186 Workshop Architects
g. It was a fad in the late 1970s to build second unions and the campus was moving west. Not enough thought was given to future or cost. 6. Other Buildings on Campus: a. The residential area on campus is not a destination. There is a “great migration” every day to academia and back. No one is at Burge. b. Libraries rule study space. Anschutz has a learning studio on the 3rd and 4th floors – they took out books and added tables. i. Camden: Anschutz is social. Watson is a quiet space. ii. Thomas: Do we compete with them? iii. Peter: What can the unions do that they can’t do? c. We don’t know how DeBruce will affect the plan. d. With the shift from Athletics to service there are new spaces and programs in the community. i. Center for Community Outreach has 14 programs based in Unions. ii. Center for Civic and Social Responsibility is in Strong Hall but people don’t really know what this does. iii. The Big Event has 3,000 volunteers. 7. Other Thoughts: a. KU Students are civil and polite. The steering committee needs to speak up and be candid. b. The Senate has a new mindset. They are looking at every fee allocation, but this shouldn’t affect us because we’re good stewards c. We Struggle with decentralization physically and organizationally, both campus-wide and in groups. d. Only a select group is in the Union – Social Density. e. Student Involvement (SILK): Cubicles and offices have been updated to offer more communal and social space used by all different organizations. There are big glass doors. SILK would rather it be on the main level with an exterior entrance. i. Are we prepared to have students in the building 24/7? f. Downtown Lawrence: SUA Activities are held there in Liberty Hall, Granada, and in bars. They play the campus radio station downtown. Lawrence has an impact on student life Concentric Circles of Influence are important. g. Media Crossroads: Journalism school’s idea for an open, multi-media, collaborative work space. Media Mix is the central source for student content. This is a potential way to integrate academics into the union. h. Kansas Union is at the edge of campus. We do a good job of what we do. i. There’s a union survey. We can get the results from David.
University of Kansas (KU) Memorial Unions Strategic Planning 13-186 Workshop Architects
1.2
Student Affairs
Thursday, October 17, 2013 Kansas Union Governors Room 10:00am – 11:00am Attendees: Tammara Durham, Vice Provost Frank DeSalvo, Associate Vice Provost Rueben Perez, Director of Student Involvement and Leadership Center Lucy Russell, Assistant Vice Provost for Undergraduate Studies Jan van den Kieboom, Workshop Architects Peter van den Kieboom, Workshop Architects New KU Structure’s Units: Academic Achievement and Access Center Center for Civic and Social Responsibility Center for Undergraduate Research KU Info KU Writing Center Office of First-Year Experience Undergraduate Advising Center University Career Center Questions and Notes: 1. What is the role of Kansas Unions in the Future? a. Intersection of Student Affairs and Academic Affairs b. Not focused solely on service. c. Physical envelope will change. d. The role of social interaction will become more important with the movement to online courses. Unions could enhance online education by providing a place for groups to come together for group work. 2. What role do the unions play in the Student Affairs mission and how can they improve? a. We are trying to create a living room. b. Kansas Union plays a role, but Burge is trying to find identity. c. The Unions need to reinvent themselves. d. Draw from different committees, as these are not the same as union users e. The Unions can have an academic focus 3. Burge Union Discussion: a. Burge is multipurpose without direction. There is no unifying theme. It never had direction. b. The original intent was a union for Daisy Hill, Stouffer Apts, and Married Student Housing. c. There are grade challenges with the Bus. d. Burge has no hangout or welcoming space. e. It was a branch of the Rec Center once and holds training tables. f. The Career Center is desperate to get out of Burge - they want visibility and traffic. g. There is a bookstore in Burge with Spirit Gear. h. Burge is used when Kansas Union is full, but there is always a pause. It’s always second choice. We’ll make it work. 4. Kansas Union Discussion: a. It was the campus living room, but now is action-oriented. Students come with a purpose. It’s a destination. b. The Union should be a place of action with lots of activities. People can hang out between meetings and form casual study groups. c. Can include a media crossroads. d. The Union was a living room, focused on activism. Building was burned in 1970s during Vietnam. This started the movement from living room to action. University of Kansas (KU) Memorial Unions Strategic Planning 13-186 Workshop Architects
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
e. Has Bowling usage gone down? i. Jan: A Stratified Recreation Center would lead to place attachment. Students see other opportunities to get involved. Thickly-Programmed Space is linked to student success, recruitment, and retention. f. Involved students live in the Union. g. New Hotel (Oread) has helped a lot. Other Campus Buildings: a. Anschutz is vibrant. The learning studio with study and gathering space opened 2-3 years ago. They partner with union to do food. Open 24-hours except for weekends. We could capitalize on traffic there. i. Lucy: The purpose of the learning studio is to get student intellectually engaged, but there are no academics in Anschutz. Social groups meet. Language groups meet on 4th floor. Clarify the role of the library and the role of the union. ii. Rubin: Anschutz has class related group work. Bring learning to life through experiential learning and practice. b. Sticky Spaces on campus: Anschutz. Some academic schools (Pharm has showers). Wescoe “Beach” Location: a. The move West isn’t happening fast enough. The problem is Iowa (HWY N). West campus will grow, but we don’t think Burge will make it. b. Folks on West Campus feel disenfranchised and isolated. c. Parking is here at the Union. Parking is a big driver on campus. d. Lucy: So many students live off campus. For that reason Kansas Union will continue to be an important place. You can walk or bus here. You can’t do this as Anschutz. e. The current location is best for public access. Lots of Business comes from the community. f. Consider a new Union by Wescoe with parking. How does high off-campus residency affect student life on-campus? a. Students come here for the day and may need certain things like huge lockers with plugs. b. There’s lots of parking by the rec center. Bus routes have changed and are now tailored to living zones. It’s easier to come and go. c. How can we make them want to stay for a day? Other Universities: a. Lucy: NC State just opened new library. It’s amazing! Huge amounts of technology: visual studios, gaming, 3D printers. They had a similar conversation about location – the new campus is separate. b. Consider the architecture building at K-State. c. Nebraska’s Union is too quiet. d. OSU’s Union was intentionally prioritized. They doubled their club space and focus on engagement. They are loving the outcome. Their compartmentalization issue is similar to KU. e. Wash U has student services by dorms. They are 88% Residential. f. A new Union by Wescoe would be like Emporia. Thoughts and Ideas: a. Marketing should be more active: “Meet you at the U.” b. Avoid naming the union. c. Include expressive space, like white box theatres. d. Jan: One Scenario is Kansas Union will be outwardly focused. A Central Union would be inwardly focused. e. Matt: Integrate Student Affairs with First Year Experience. Have an academic focus. i. New Undergraduate Studies as of 2012. First Year Experience includes orientation and academic involvement. ii. First Year Office in Strong Hall sends message of Academic/Administrative Building. f. With 10-year plan, West campus could be 24-hours and the core still 8-5.
University of Kansas (KU) Memorial Unions Strategic Planning 13-186 Workshop Architects
1.3
Student Housing
Thursday, October 17, 2013 Kansas Union Governors Room 11:00am – 12:00pm Attendees: Diana Robertson, Director Kip Grosshans, Associate Director Jennifer Wamelink, Associate Director Jan van den Kieboom, Workshop Architects Peter van den Kieboom, Workshop Architects
Questions and Notes: 1. Residential Discussion: a. Diana is on the Steering committee. Han/Evans is to look at apartment living needs – they are waiting for the final report. It might have relevance for this study. b. Most of the housing on the hill will be redone. i. McCollum will be demolished ii. 2 new halls to open in 2015. iii. Family housing will be demolished an turned into Graduate and Family housing with some upper-class studio apartments. iv. There are 4-5 Fraternity rows and apartments adjacent to Greek Housing. v. Additional single family homes. c. Most campuses have RHA with Student Government. We have a different government for each of the following 4: i. Jayhawker Towers is for student athletes. There is a waitlist to live here. 1. Investigation of the common space between the towers was shelved. Jennifer asked to add again. ii. Residence Halls iii. 12 Schol. Halls to the East. 585 students (freshmen-seniors). Cooperative living. 1. Next to Kansas Union. Won’t go away. Very sought after. Important for KU Mission. Sense of Brand Loyalty. Not connected with union food service, but dietary advisor inspects kitchens. iv. 4 Stouffer Houses scattered to the South. Family housing. d. These governments would like to use the Union more. e. House 76% of the freshman class. No requirement (3 other schools like this in the big 12). f. 600 stay in residence halls after the first year. Others shift. g. There is an unmet demand for sophomores. A study to find a way for this. 2. Dining: a. Competition from Residence Halls, but not the rest. $8.5 - $9million per year collected. b. Each meal plan is cash with portability – since 2005 when Campus dining and Residential dining became the same. c. Scholarship Halls order food (a small amount) and work with outside vendors. Dining services oversees this. d. Ekdahl Dining commons is the biggest. e. Hashinger Hall has the Studio and Pulse. This is a late night option. f. Daisy Hill dining serves all South Halls. g. Impromptu Café is only for lunch. 3. Burge Union Discussion: a. Burge = Right Place. Wrong Building. b. People meet in Burge because there’s nothing going on. It serves important niche – meeting space is critical and it’s easy to access and schedule in Burge. c. Campus is fairly flat near Burge, but there’s no crosswalk. People cross without a crosswalk. d. Childcare center is located to the south. University of Kansas (KU) Memorial Unions Strategic Planning 13-186 Workshop Architects
4.
5. 6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
e. When Burge opened it was busy. It had candy, mail, and dining. Then Anschutz and the Underground opened. i. Residence hall students come to the library at night, but not to Burge. f. Topography and bus routes are really important. g. It’s difficult to sort out the Burge/DeBruce training table relationship. How would something magnetic by DeBruce impact students? a. Food for students and faculty might create traffic. b. It might impact upperclassmen who want to stay longer. c. People at SW don’t go to union. d. There is huge growth opportunity with Business and Engineering. Kansas Union Discussion: a. At night there are international & government meetings, movies, and people love the Bowling. If KU were a clean slate, what things could be better? a. Longer hours of dining. They close early now. b. We need a grocery near new south family housing. Post-Jayhawk trail, you could grab something on the way home. c. Schol Hall students have events in the union and they pay more for late at night. Use the Union as a Schol Hall Living Room. d. Expand on the training table concept. e. The committee needs more options for meeting spaces. What is the future of Residential Life and the Unions? a. Burge location should be more of a hub. b. Between 2 projects we will have some needs met. c. A big scale Expo Center is missing from Lawrence, but there’s not enough hotel space and the demand has gone away… maybe a smaller convention center. d. Hotel by KU has parking advantages. e. We need something with street parking in the Burge area. f. Union could still serve as meeting space for housing. This is important! i. Orientation, department meetings, and student leader training are held in the Union. ii. Meetings are moving into academic buildings because they have better technology. g. Kansas Union is a sad, historic building in light of the west move. h. Diana: There are lots of ideas, but no framework or timeline. This is frustrating. It will be a lot of years before the west catches up to the rest of campus. Clarify the mission of 3 unions. a. Consider the Michigan Union model. b. We’re trying to do everything in all three. c. Missouri uses the Hist. Building for meetings and Brady as the social hub. If there were a center on campus now, where would it be? a. Wescoe and Anschutz are used day and night. b. Wescoe is becoming more of a center every day. Weekends on campus: a. Lots less activity. People aren’t in the Union much on weekends. b. No beer is allowed on campus. c. Thursday night undergrads are on 14th. There’s lots of inappropriate activity on 14th street. House parties are held at 14th and Louisiana. d. Iowa street is for underagers: Wild chateau. Foggy Doc. Saints. Bar in Basement of Oread after 10: “The Cave.” e. Some students go home, but it’s not a suitcase campus. Other thoughts: a. There is a huge unmet parking need by Lied Center. b. 3 life science buildings will be repurposed as office buildings – can direct first-years that way.
University of Kansas (KU) Memorial Unions Strategic Planning 13-186 Workshop Architects
1.4
Dining Services
Thursday, October 17, 2013 Kansas Union Governors Room 1:00pm – 2:00pm Attendees: Janna Traver, Executive Chef Robert Pierrelee, Catering Sheryl Kidwell, Assistant Director of Residential Dining Mary Rondon, Dietary Issues and Information Nona Golledge, Director Lisa Englebrecht, Business Manager of KU Dining Alecia Stultz, Assistant Director of Retail Dining Karen Cross, Card Operations Administrator Mindy Pendreigh, Dining System Administrator Jan van den Kieboom, Workshop Architects Peter van den Kieboom, Workshop Architects Key Issues: Balance the proliferation of service units with limited income/profitability. There are investment limits with training table at Burge and the opening of DeBruce. Oliver Renovation in relation to Naismith Hall Questions and Notes: 1. Introductions and Context: a. Janna deals with retail and residential development concepts. i. Recent Renovations: Mrs. E’s, North College Café, Studio (8 years) ii. There are 3,800 dining plans. b. Robert handles catering i. 50% of catering is outside. ii. Football brings in over 2 million. iii. Catering headquarters are in the Union. iv. Impromptu Café is run by catering. It has 42 seats and runs 3 hours a day. v. Catering has grown, but prices have stayed stable. c. Sheryl: Studio on Daisy Hill for 3 years. d. Mary: Dietitian at KU for 6 months. e. Nona: Director for 25 years. f. Lisa: Business Manager for 9 years. g. Alecia: 8 years. 15 locations. Training Tables. h. Karen: 12 years. Database with dining plans. i. Mindy: Database Systems. 2. How has dining changed in the past 8 years? a. Rippe has been food service designer for last 5 years. b. Meal plans were separate, but merged. i. Being able to use them everywhere is a big benefit for campus life. ii. Merged two great teams into one. It took a year or two to feel like one team. They’re different, but they work as a team. c. We had 10-12 locations and now have 22 with 7 requests for more. We feel a bit oversaturated and need to figure out where the needs are on campus. i. Requests are on hold while David or Nona evaluate. d. Dining Plans: Now unlimited dining plans plus cash on card. i. 7am – 7:30pm continuous hours. ii. Marketing, Branding, and Social Networking are through the campus. iii. Handle Dietary Accommodations. University of Kansas (KU) Memorial Unions Strategic Planning 13-186 Workshop Architects
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
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e. Sustainability and Wellness have been a big change, but are not a problem. Self-op can accommodate wellness and diet, local and organic, kosher, allergies. When you switched to portable, what was the impact on residential plan? a. The dining plan benefited. b. Did renovation master plan for retail. c. Wescoe’s underground is landlocked. d. Market’s renovation doubled the size. e. There are 2 balances on 1 card: Beacon Bucks and KU Cuisine Cash. What happened to overall revenue with switch? a. Increased by 30%. Catering increased by 35%. Residential and Retail are both up. b. There’s been a decrease in afternoon snack. Now they can go back to residential halls to use their unlimited plan. c. We have a 2-4 happy hour, but not every concept. There’s no huge increase in people coming through. d. Selling to off-campus is low because of parking. What is the impact of having no residency requirement? a. It has a big impact on ability to renovate. There’s a 10-year schedule for upgrades and management. We’re experiencing depreciation and are limited in volume. We can’t do all we want to do. b. If you live in a residence hall you’re required to have a meal plan. c. Off campus students choose to eat here, but they don’t have to – they bring lunches. We lose out not having that option. d. There’s lots of competition for housing. Daisy Hill renovation tied dining to housing. What is the impact of off-campus competition? a. There’s a great selection in Lawrence. b. Panhellenic would bring in off-campus food for several years and then realized the effect. c. People think “Their product should be less.” i. “Local Burger” is sold less than the rest. ii. Constantly compared to outside world. iii. Price pressure and marketing comparisons iv. Perception of monopoly. d. There has been a huge increase in variety and quality over 12 years. We’re a big ship, but we turn on a dime. We’re responsive - not “lunch ladies.” e. Beacon Bucks partner with 30 business in town. Not just food: Tanning, Pharmacies, etc. Catering: a. Has an exclusive contract on campus and is the caterer of choice in town, by word of mouth. b. Work with the athletic department to feed teams. c. Catering won a national award last year. d. We’re limited by infrastructure. There was a 1980s renovation – 30-year-old equipment is now dated and worth fixing. There are storage and front of house issues everywhere. We just did a $250,000 project for refrigerator. e. We Cater out of Crimson Café. f. Football is a different, exclusive group that requires choreography. Imagine 10-20 years out with a clean slate. Thoughts? a. Retail makes the Unions the typical heart of campus. b. We have 2 bookends and neither are ideal. Need to make a plan and have a central location for the campus community and outsiders. That’s why the underground is so successful. We haven’t had a hub for 20 years. c. Wescoe is dead after 3:00. Even with the move west, what will keep them here? d. It’s a trek to come to the union and when you get there – dead. e. Mortar and Pestle in the Pharmacy building is losing money. It was built fast to get undergraduates over there. If you build it they will come… they didn’t. f. With a clean slate, in 10 years, we should run the C-Store instead of the Bookstore. g. We’re still working on the “Web Food” concept through C. Board.
University of Kansas (KU) Memorial Unions Strategic Planning 13-186 Workshop Architects
1.5
Campus Planning / Master Plan
Thursday, October 17, 2013 Kansas Union Governors Room 2:00pm – 3:00pm Attendees: Tom Waechter, Campus Planning Director Pamela Bray, Design and Construction Business Manager Tracy Horstman, Assistant Vice Provost of Space Resources Jan van den Kieboom, Workshop Architects Peter van den Kieboom, Workshop Architects Questions and Notes: 1. Introductions and Context: a. Pamela was in charge of Edwards campus b. Tracey deals with Space Assignments. c. Jim Modik is University Architect. d. Tom: Consider the campus in 12-14 years. i. NC State Library is the most innovative - elite caliber. They have daylight, technology, and programming. It’s perfectly set up. ii. Anschutz feels like the Union. 2. What is the role of the union in the Master Planning process? How will that role change over time? a. Location is crux. b. Burge comes up repeatedly. It has the wrong mix. c. The campus is moving away from Kansas Union. d. What do we do with West Campus? Consider possibilities to integrate. e. Is the Union a priority? Should it have housing? i. Other academic priorities are higher. f. The role of the Union is still really ambiguous. g. Campus wants a conference center and hotel. i. You hear horror stories (ex: Texas) ii. It’s good and bad being by Kansas City iii. Conference Center v. Convention Center (Hot Rod Show). 3. Major Themes of Master Plan: a. Burge looks like an office building. There’s no energy. It’s not clear who’s welcome. It’s not a see and be seen place. b. The Business Building has a big social space and wants to be a hub. i. It will draw traffic away from Anschutz. ii. Campus is getting Silo’d and Liberal Arts are getting left out. iii. Dean wants the Business Building to be a hub. c. DeBruce wants to do the same and will overshadow Burge. i. Should we turn Burge into office building? ii. In 1980s Burge was the place for MBA, Law, and Engineering students to congregate and get away from 18-year-olds. Now it’s training tables. d. We’ve fallen behind on housing stock. Housing needs to have either its own services or a draw back to main campus. e. We have been building enclaves for several years as we move South and West. It makes sense to integrate. f. Student Rec Center is growing to the south. 4. What is the role of a union? a. It’s not about content, but interactive experience. b. Combine Student affairs and Academic affairs c. Make a Union/Library hybrid d. The Union is a place to come together with academic work. Engineers, Architects, Painters. e. Consider Dining Trends University of Kansas (KU) Memorial Unions Strategic Planning 13-186 Workshop Architects
f. Think outside of the box. 5. What would you like to see us test? a. Residential life programs is an area of emphasis. b. It’s still a suburban campus. Students leave and don’t come back. c. Something we haven’t dug into is traffic patterns and accessibility. i. Buses stop running at 6. If you’re not off campus by 5 you have to walk 3-4 miles. ii. Free Buses are called KU Wheels. iii. There’s a big Influx of cars for night classes. iv. Create a transit hub. v. There are traffic pattern problems. d. Diversify and get residential students back. e. Continuing housing on Daisy Hill propagates the old model. f. Burge could work if it was the place to be. 6. Possible Union Locations: a. Burge: i. Would the campus ever take down the building? Hard because it’s in decent shape. ii. Expand into the parking lot? 1. Park and ride has not been too successful but will incorporate. 2. Circulation Route: Irving road over Iowa bridge iii. Burge could be the site of a conference center with parking deck on 16th street. The hotel would fill for athletic events. b. Lot 90 South of Business School: i. High Density with Housing and Retail at the edge. Create a front door to campus. ii. There is a pedestrian route by recreation center and business school. c. Kansas Union as Front Door: i. Create a small tier conference center and capitalize on Lawrence use. ii. Build over the parking structure. Would need to put piers and columns down and add 2 more levels of parking. iii. The building could have parking, hotel, and food. iv. There are concerns about blocking the alumni view. v. Move 2/3 of other items out, then this is a serious consideration. d. Visitors center at 15th and Iowa has back door entry, but way finding issues. This would be a challenging site for a Union.
University of Kansas (KU) Memorial Unions Strategic Planning 13-186 Workshop Architects
1.6
Key Conference / Event Clients
Thursday, October 17, 2013 Kansas Union Governors Room 3:00pm – 4:00pm Attendees: Sarah Crawford Parker, Assistant Vice Provost for First Year Experience Katie Treadwell, Associate Director for First Year Experience Charlie Persinger, Director of University Ceremonies and Special Events Stacy Walters, Senior Program Manager for Continuing Education Amanda Painter, Assistant Director of Admissions Jan van den Kieboom, Workshop Architects Peter van den Kieboom, Workshop Architects Questions and Notes: 1. What types of events do you put on? What size? a. Amanda: Larger than 120 people b. Charlie: Recognition events, Camps, Events for outside groups. c. Stacy: KU Continuing education. i. We manage academic and professional conferences year round. 150-500 people. ii. There is an engineering conference 4 times a year iii. Primarily non-university clients. iv. Utilize the union quite a bit for sessions and meals v. 6-800 is sweet spot. We need meeting space for concurrent sessions. vi. Break out into 4 groups of 100-150, then get back together for meals. d. Biggest event in Kansas Union is for Structural Engineering: 500 people. 1 day. i. Use the ballroom for lunch. Sessions in Woodruff, Jaybird, Big 12, and Alderson e. Black Leadership event has 375 people. f. Senior Days: 8 in fall and 8 in spring. 25-200 people. i. Big 12, Jayhawk, Woodruff for welcome. ii. Take the bus to the dining Hall to get experience. iii. Have sessions with Housing and financial Aid. 2. What are some challenges with the current spaces? a. People often don’t know they’re here, because there’s no centralized system. b. We’re out of space for large events. i. Orientations cap at 500 due to Woodruff’s size. ii. With 750 people in the ballroom, we have to push into the alcove. c. The biggest challenge is finding space. d. Breakouts are a challenge. Can’t accommodate over 500 people, but we could easily grow. e. Maximum for a meal is 300 at really long tables. On orientation day, staff eat in another room. This is not ideal. f. We could bring in more business if we had the space. 3. Do you use the Burge Union for events? a. When we have to. Parking is horrible and the location is not ideal. b. There is a lack of natural light. It’s Institutional. Not an energizing space. c. We use other buildings on campus. d. We have to book rooms 2-3 years out and pick dates based on when Kansas Union is available. i. Primarily use Woodruff and the Ballroom in the Kansas Union. 4. What are some other location options besides the unions? a. Oread: Proximity is a mixed blessing. They don’t let groups book blocks of rooms without using their meeting spaces which are 3 times the cost of the Union and can’t accommodate large events. b. Holiday Inn’s Holidome: The largest space holds 900 and has limited breakout space. There’s a large remodeled banquet hall for weddings, but that’s it – not a big competitor. University of Kansas (KU) Memorial Unions Strategic Planning 13-186 Workshop Architects
c.
Lied Center: Lots of space – can accommodate 2,000 people, but it’s on west campus, farther from where students are.
5. Ideas: a. b. c. d.
6.
7.
8.
9.
Video connection into other spaces. Alcoves on the upper level for 15-20 people. 1 or 2 more rooms like Alderson that look more like a classroom and hold 250 people. Rooms with greater flexibility. Air walls. i. For orientation, we could organize students by what school they’re with. ii. Too often there’s a large group in a small space or a small group in a large space. e. Not too much shuffling from one floor to another. f. Take non-essential elements out of Kansas Union. Keep some dining to serve Schol Halls. g. We need a bigger meeting planner space. The little desk is not enough. i. Include check-in, reception, a place to wait and sit down, a back office, and storage h. Check-in space should accommodate several hundred people. Union’s Location: a. Current location is really desirable for academic conferences. b. It’s important to be on campus for the Child Psychology conference. There’s lots of walking around, but we need to be by academic zones. c. Need to serve many groups of people. d. Union could anchor the west by the Law School and Engineering. There’s so much opportunity where Burge is. e. We could build a separate conference center on West campus with high capacity i. This could be used by First-Year Experience. Consider the Recruiting/First-Year handoff. f. Lawrence is an awesome town to live in. The town plans to grow to the West. Other Campuses: a. Madison has a Ballroom for 800. b. Nebraska can hold 1500 people on the floor and stage in theatre. c. Emporia is a model of a historical union turned conference center with some social space. The new Brady student center has meeting space for students. d. University of Michigan’s Michigan Union is for Students. Michigan League is for conferences. There is clear zoning between students and conference guests. First Year Experience Point of View: a. There are retention Issues b. Orientation starts in the Union: i. Start at Woodruff and have lunch in the Ballroom. ii. Big 12 and Jayhawk are used for the Information Fair with parlors for support. iii. It’s nice to be close to Spencer Gallery/Natural History Museum for Orientation. c. The rest of the year there are seminars, classes, and hawk week. Journalism and Business schools do programs in their own buildings. d. Feedback from First-Years: Rooms on the 6th floor are hard to navigate and always freezing. e. Office for Student Success was Recently Reorganized to Include: i. Diversity ii. Student Affairs iii. Undergraduate Studies 1. First-Year 2. Career 3. Writing iv. Enrollment Management (New Division) f. Jan: Recruiting and Retention are huge recently. People are thinking about the impact of physical environment and place attachment. KU Union is not great this way because of sectional challenges. It can be packed and you don’t know it. Kansas Union Discussion: a. Heard often: there used to be Milton’s on 1st floor. Now the Union lacks a coffee shop that’s open late and has great identity. b. The union is open, but dining is not. Longer house could add value.
University of Kansas (KU) Memorial Unions Strategic Planning 13-186 Workshop Architects
c. For orientation we need something key for new students to connect with the space. d. It’s important to see student involvement. The current spaces are not ideal. e. We don’t have a concierge or welcome center. The visitor center isn’t for the average person.
University of Kansas (KU) Memorial Unions Strategic Planning 13-186 Workshop Architects
1.7
Undergraduate Focus Group
Thursday, October 17, 2013 Kansas Union Curry Room 4:00pm – 5:30pm Attendees: Jill Wenderott, Former CCO Head Will Dale, Executive Director of CCO Austin Becker, SUA Andrew Mechler, SUA Fine Arts Chair Marquise Paige, Senate Development Director Marcus Tetwiler, Student Body President Hannah Sitz, Alternative Breaks, CCO, Senate Chris Rice, Alternative Breaks Eric Hurtt, Student Senate Peter van den Kieboom, Workshop Architects Taryn Hicks, Workshop Architects Questions and Notes: 1. Why KU? What makes it unique? a. Sense of Community. People know each other. Strong traditions like athletics and Union programs (SUA is 75 years old). There’s an urban feel without getting lost. The Union is the living room for a core group of people. Rock Chalk. You’re immediately immersed in history. KU is a flagship institution for research. Student groups have autonomy. The Union is home to the Schol Hall social community (Greek + Cooperative living. 600 people). It’s easy to get around Lawrence. The Student Ghetto is down the hill and has house parties. 2. What is your favorite place on campus? Why? a. Watson Library i. 5th floor East Asian Library in Watson because it’s the quietest and uncommon. ii. Club Schutz is for late nights. “I just feel smarter when I go to Watson.” b. Outdoor Spaces and Views i. Bench behind Blake. ii. Marvin’s Grove has a bell tower and views. iii. Main entrance stairs of Marvin. iv. Wescoe Beach has protests, tables, and events. v. From the 7th floor of Fraser you can “see forever” vi. The walk from Watson to Stauffer-Flint has good views. vii. Potter Lake. viii. Murphy Courtyard in the Music complex ix. Views from Residence Halls. c. Others: Field House. Spooner is beautiful. 3. What are your favorite and least favorite places off campus? Why? a. Wagon Wheel is a 21+ bar with graffiti and athletics. It’s unique. #3 college bar in America. b. You can’t walk along Iowa. Iowa is suburban. 4. Kansas Union Discussion a. The Union has been renovated nicely. People use it. It works because it’s flat to get to. b. In the evening, it’s mostly student groups meeting. Some movies, events, and conferences. Hawk Shop has fantastic dinner hours and is the only thing open. i. Union hours and location make studying in the libraries more appealing.
University of Kansas (KU) Memorial Unions Strategic Planning 13-186 Workshop Architects
c.
The Union is good on weekends because it’s quiet. Everyone is off campus or in the library. On game day the Union is packed with visitors. d. SILK: Is used in the daytime. It’s functional, but student groups are still looking for more space. Some have their own offices while others share desks between groups. The location is hidden, so we have to step up outreach efforts – it doesn’t happen organically. The Connection to the Multicultural Center is underused. Restroom access from SILK is an issue. i. It’s vital to keep organizations together, but not necessarily other services. Some services could happen in Burge. e. The 4th Floor is the main floor where everyone meets. It’s too small. f. Seating on the 3rd floor has a great view. g. 3rd floor market dining becomes late afternoon study space. The Panda corridor could see more traffic – it connects to underutilized outdoor space. We want more name brands. i. Impromptu Café has a faculty/staff vibe and we only go there with professors; it’s fancier ($9-$15). We need a space where students, faculty, and staff can all interact together. ii. Having food and coffee everywhere on campus is great, especially in the library. h. The Bookstore owns the whole 2nd floor. We avoid that floor. The Borders vibe is confusing. i. Classes are held on the 1st floor. Hawks Nest used to have coffee and sometimes open mic nights. The 1st floor is underutilized. The tunnel is cool though (to stadium parking). i. “We have an arcade?” j. We want more outdoor seating. The current outdoor space is not used. k. Wish we could connect the Union to more housing. It’s an extra 5 minute walk – don’t need it. 5. Burge Union Discussion a. Entering Burge without a purpose: I don’t belong. I feel weird. As opposed to entering the Kansas Union without a purpose; you just sit down. b. You shouldn’t be on the terraces. They look dirty. c. There are events in the basement. “The leftovers.” Burge is a plan B meeting location. d. Not a lot of things are drawing you to Burge. You don’t have a need to go there. i. “I’m not aware of everything that goes on there.” e. Career Services is good, but no one knows about it. Plus academic buildings have their own services. f. Parking is impossible during the day and there’s reduced bussing after 5. i. People in Residence Halls and far apartments use buses. g. When the business school is built the area will get busy and rival the main quad and Wescoe. It’s an uphill trip from the Business school to the Quad and Union but it’s directionally easy. h. Burge is a depressing building with no open spaces. We need something like the Kansas Union 4th floor. i. The location is fine – Athletes use it. We don’t feel comfortable in the athletic complex. Athletics wasn’t to “Hungry Hungry Hippo” the Burge. “Let them have it.” On game day parking by Allen Fieldhouse swells and the line builds away from Burge. j. Burge has good food. 6. Programming a. We go off campus for concerts. Everything else is centralized at the Kansas Union. i. “This is still the student union.” b. There’s not a lot of programming on campus. We can’t decorate the ballroom and they closed the balcony.
University of Kansas (KU) Memorial Unions Strategic Planning 13-186 Workshop Architects
7. What is the heart of campus? a. The Engineering Complex b. Anschutz: Great location, open 24hours, has both group study and quiet floors. There are reservable rooms and computer labs. “Someone streaked through it.” i. “Maybe what we need is another library and Club Schutz becomes the union.” ii. There’s no place in the union to print. They got rid of computer lab so people go to Anschutz. iii. Two groups on campus: Union Rats v. Club Schutz Kids. iv. Anschutz is too academic and feels dense. v. Library parking is a pain. c. Wescoe: All Classes are 5-10 minutes from Wescoe. It’s ugly. “They tried to renovate it, but it’s still a concrete building.” d. People talk about it as 2 campuses. 8. Compared to other Universities a. Ohio State University is too overwhelming. Too clean, white, and corporate. b. K-State has open spaces. Their union is a hub. c. “We don’t even have a quad.” Only small courtyards and fields. d. Kansas City’s Library has a life-sized chess set on the roof. 9. Ideal World a. Everything a student needs in one building. b. Fill the hill with parking. c. “We need a moment where all the people are meshed together as part of the Jay Hawk community” aside from athletics and buses. i. People are in Pockets by residence and programs. It’s hard to break out of that. ii. You feel Jay Hawk Nation as alumni, but not as a student. d. A graduate hub would have different needs: retail, hotel, and conference. It would be more commercial.
University of Kansas (KU) Memorial Unions Strategic Planning 13-186 Workshop Architects
1.8
Multicultural Focus Group
Thursday, October 17, 2013 Impromptu Private Dining Room 4:00pm – 5:30pm Attendees: Brenda Morales, Accounting 4th Year Mariah Givens, East Asian Studies 4th Year, SUA Cultural Katherine Rainey, Psych and Pre-Med 3rd Year, BSU President Sherri Pan, Poli Sci and Econ 3rd Year, Student Senator Danny Sanchez, Spanish Global and International 4th Year, Homecoming, SUA Esteban Marquez, Human Biology and Pre-Med 4th Year, Homecoming Steering, Big Event Jan ven den Kieboom, Workshop Architects Angela Van Dyke, Workshop Architects Questions and Notes: 1. Why KU? What makes it unique? a. Brenda: The price was right. It’s close to home. Buildings are warmer compared to K-State. Jobs through OMA opened doors in terms of extracurriculars. Jayhawk Blvd is great for way finding. b. Mariah: Transferred from a community college. It was close and I knew what Lawrence is about. There are career and Social Opportunities. Member of SUA and BSU. Traditions like the Chant. c. Katherine: Tradition and pride of being a Jayhawk. There are opportunities beyond academics. Office of Multicultural Affairs. d. Sherri: Dad came here. KU embraces diversity and sparked my interest in politics and culture. e. Danny: Lawrence is a bigger city but not huge. Good History. Mass Ave. Family. f. Esteban: Culture and pride. Fraternities as a gateway to networking. Groups reach out to students. 2. What is your favorite place(s) on campus? Why? a. Mariah: The Oread. It’s multi-functional and has roof terraces. b. Katherine: Wescoe Beach is such a community place. People do a lot of tabling there. c. Danny: The Union is home away from home. Fraternity. d. Esteban: Underground (but way too busy). Kansas Union feels like a union. Hawks Nest is a great place for a break. The Studio at Hashinger Residence Hall. 3. What is your favorite place(s) off campus? Why? a. Brenda: Java Break b. Danny: Apartments above businesses on Mass Ave are nice. c. Esteban: Mass Street has great shops and good restaurants. 4. Kansas Union Discussion: a. Mariah: I use SILK, but it’s not very accessible. 5th & 6th floors are nicely organized, but dark. b. Katherine: It’s an organizational hub. People on Daisy Hill won’t come here to study. c. Esteban: Union only really “serves:” Bookstore, meetings, food. 5. Burge Union Discussion: a. Mariah: Don’t go to Burge. You feel shunned when you go there. b. Katherine: Don’t go there. Only athletes go to Burge. BSU uses Burge to host meetings because it’s more convenient. c. Sherri: International students are at the far end of Daisy Hill and feel that Burge is the main Union. University of Kansas (KU) Memorial Unions Strategic Planning 13-186 Workshop Architects
6. Location/Heart of Campus: a. Katherine: The Union should be where Wescoe is. b. Esteban: Wescoe is the heart of campus. It was supposed to be a parking garage. 7. Thoughts and Ideas: a. Brenda: The Union should be more transparent. b. Mariah: The Union should be like a “nucleus” and have 360˚ views. c. Katherine: Individual places have been remodeled and these places have dedicated resources that the union also has. d. Sherri: Add computer labs and printing. e. Danny: Parking is a struggle for students unless you’re an athlete. Rock Chalk Jayhawk Block Party and Tunes at Noon used to be in front of the Kansas Union. f. Esteban: There are 7 libraries on campus, but only Watson and Anschutz are well known. g. Mauricio Gomez Montoya, via email: Include a lactation station; private, non-denominational prayer/meditation space; more resources/beautician for black hair.
University of Kansas (KU) Memorial Unions Strategic Planning 13-186 Workshop Architects
1.9
Graduate Focus Group
Thursday, October 17, 2013 Kansas Union Curry Room 5:30pm – 7:00pm Attendees: Carolyn Magee, Pharmacy Gabrielle Frawley, German Pantaleon Florez III, Education, Director of Graduate Student Senate Marissa Rittof, Law Jake Rapp, Spanish and Portuguese Seyool Oh, Aerospace Engineering Mark, Law Peter van den Kieboom, Workshop Architects Taryn Hicks, Workshop Architects Questions and Notes: 1. Why KU? What makes it unique? a. The departments and professors. KU accepts late applications. In-State Tuition. It’s a good deal – the Pharmacy program is 17th in the country and the price is 97th. “You can’t beat KU basketball.” One of the top 10 German Programs. Close to home. Good reputation. It’s higher ranked, but a third of the price. Has a small town feel. Lawrence is a family town. Accessibility. I chose the department rather than the school. I had a great conversation with a student in Wescoe prior to enrolling. There is a very deliberate effort to get grad students out of the bubble and into the public. KU has decent and honest people. 2. What is your favorite place off campus? Why? a. Mass is all encompassing: bars, shops, and coffee. b. Dillon’s on 6th Street is open late and has lots of comfortable seating, TVs, and food. c. BBQs by Clinton Lake. d. Tailgating. 3. Kansas Union Discussion: a. “All the engaged and active students of any organization will use this building and know the wonderful things it has to offer.” b. I used the Union in undergrad, but now I just come for senate, work, and events. c. SUA does a lot of programming here. Events are only at the Union. Free to groups. The public uses the ballroom for conferences and career fairs. d. Use the impromptu with faculty. e. The 1st floor is quiet and has modular seating. Held a poetry reading. Sad the coffee is gone. f. I don’t have time to come to the Union. I eat food at the Underground or Burge. g. It’s not geographically united to academia. 4. Burge Union Discussion: a. Burge is an extension of Green (Law School). b. Burge has offices, but what about student life? c. It’s ridiculous that Burge was built for residential students. It’s only for Athletes. d. There are athletes at lunch and law students the rest of the time. e. Burge Lounge “could be done better.” It’s a hangout room, but not for study. It’s small and steadily used. f. Crimson Café has good breakfast, but it’s quiet. Closes at 2:30 to everyone but athletes.
University of Kansas (KU) Memorial Unions Strategic Planning 13-186 Workshop Architects
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
g. No one from West Campus will go to Burge because there’s no parking. “I’m not going to walk there.” It’s down a huge hill from the dorms. A nicer building could pull the students down. Other campus buildings: a. I only used the underground during undergrad. b. “Anschutz is a fraternity and sorority library.” c. “If anyone says they don’t like anything about campus, Wescoe’s the eye sore.” d. There’s a prohibition cellar in the English building. Decentralized and Isolated: a. Law and Pharmacy are isolated but for different reasons. b. “I never see anyone who’s not in Pharmacy School.” c. “Same floor of same building for 5 years! I’ve never seen you before.” d. I only go to class, study at the library, the bar, and home. e. Why go to main campus? We have Mortar and Pestle on West Campus. We need a reason to go. f. Everything you need is in your building: food, locker, class. g. Where is the place to come together? Transportation: a. Everyone has a parking pass. Grad students don’t have time to wait for a bus or walk. b. Game day is a pain. There’s no parking. c. Current parking is expensive and problematic. There are 3 parking lots by Burge used by Athletes, Law, Staff, and Faculty. d. Short bus and food schedules affect vitality. “They don’t want you here after 6:00.” Location: a. Everything is designed around Jayhawk Boulevard. b. The ideal location is Robinson Gym. It has exercise science, dance, and a pool. It’s basically obsolete now. It wouldn’t be a hard walk to class – the hill isn’t steep here and staircases are well taken care of. The path leads straight from parking. i. Potential game day event link? No. You’ll be in the 6-hour line next door. c. Wescoe location is prime. It could be 3 times bigger and still full. It would serve undergrads AND grads. It’s good when thinking about the Business school too. d. Next to Burge would be making a bad problem worse. Poor Location. e. Snow has the most heavily used bus stop, lots of foot traffic, and great views over potter lake. Sustainability: a. Athletics are committed to zero waste. New Engineering and Business buildings will be LEED. They are retrofitting existing buildings. b. This is a student priority. Every semester $5 of $440 student fees go to sustainability. $4 to Recycling Program and $1 to Sustainability Initiative including composting and local sourcing. c. Lawrence is very liberal and hippie. “Lawrence is the Austin of Kansas.” Blue dot in a red sea. Other Thoughts and Ideas: a. “KU is a good place to study, but not a good place for a family.” b. Computers are few and crowded. You have to fight for them. More technology would bring grads to the union, especially if there was a designated graduate lounge or lab. c. It KU shifting the focus to more than sports? No. That’s the administration or undergrads speaking. There are social kids, but not grads. d. “I honestly have no idea what’s going on on main campus. If they’re going to put more stuff on west campus, then absolutely I want a union over here!” e. Union use: Event Programming vs. Daily Criss-Crossing. f. We need conference spacing. What’s the union’s role on that?
University of Kansas (KU) Memorial Unions Strategic Planning 13-186 Workshop Architects
g. There are ideas in the works for an outdoor amphitheatre by Greek Ridge. h. We need “space to sit and study and not hear about how last night’s party was AWESOME.” i. KU has a lot of social study areas. It would be nice to study quietly in the union after class and before meetings. i. Ideally the Union would be open late with coffee and small group study rooms. i. There are cool study rooms in the Pharm building.
University of Kansas (KU) Memorial Unions Strategic Planning 13-186 Workshop Architects
1.10
Residential Focus Group
Thursday, October 17, 2013 Impromptu Private Dining Room 5:30pm – 7:00pm Attendees: Shelby Lemon, Graphic Design Junior, Greek Leadership Erin Meyer, Strategic Communications Sophomore, Greek Leadership Chris Ottinger, Business Management and Political Science Sophomore Autumn Smith, Cellular Biology Senior, President of All Scholarship Hall Council Graham Naasz, Biology Junior, Greek Leadership Addison Keegan-Harris, Behavioral Science Sr, RA and Exec. Director of Nat. Residence Hall Honorary Jan van den Kieboom, Workshop Architects Angela Van Dyke, Workshop Architects Questions and Notes: 1. Why KU? What makes it unique? a. My program is available. It doesn’t seem so big. It’s affordable. It feels like home. My parents came here. Everything centered on Jayhawk Boulevard creates a sense of community. I’m a 3rd generation Jawhawk. The campus is a landmark for Lawrence. Friendly, small town, Midwestern feel. Tradition is the biggest part of KU. We embrace change but are close to our core values. KU is open and accepting to growth. KU has the benefits of a large campus, but has a small campus feel because the buildings are so close. 2. What is your favorite place(s) on campus? Why? a. Underground in Wescoe, there’s a “pulse” there – life. 4th Floor Union Lobby by Pulse. Hawks Nest. SILK Office. Watson for studying. Rec Center. Studio in Hash. Fraser is Iconic. 3. What is your favorite place(s) off campus? Why? a. Mass Ave. Granada. Bottleneck. b. Lawrence is clean but not sterile, grungy but feels original. 4. Kansas Union Discussion: a. I don’t go there often. It’s too far from “home.” b. I go there for meetings, SILK, and events. c. SUA does a great job of creating life in the union and getting people to come here. i. Holiday events, Tea and Cookies, Career fairs featuring 100 companies. d. I like the “almost stage” by Hawks Nest. e. Dining: Panda will help. Everything else is a huge miss. f. It feels like a high school. g. It’s really creepy at night. 5. Burge Union Discussion: a. We don’t go there. b. It’s used for meetings if all space in Kansas Union is booked. c. It has training tables for athletes. d. For residence halls, Burge is a good location but a terrible facility. e. The rooms in Burge are scary. 6. Ideas for change: a. Needs impromptu meeting space and improved layout. There’s too much empty space. b. It should feel like a living room. We need a warm place between classes. c. We need late night dining and coffee! The Wheel has great food and is all KU! Sports are huge at KU - we need a sports bar/pub like Johnny’s Tavern. d. There’s no place to hang out at night. It should be 24hours M-F. University of Kansas (KU) Memorial Unions Strategic Planning 13-186 Workshop Architects
1.11
Strong Hall View
Friday, October 18, 2013 Kansas Union Governors Room 9:00am – 10:00am Attendees: Leah Reichert, Union CFO Theresa Gordzica, KU CFO Jan van den Kieboom, Workshop Architects Peter van den Kieboom, Workshop Architects Questions and Notes: 1. What is the current role of the Unions? a. The Union deals with food and beverages more than the student side. Dining has blossomed since the residential/retail merge and continues to expand. i. Flexibility to let unions run dining was a great decision. b. There’s a need for service to the West. Something similar to the Union for Science facilities. c. Burge is not right. d. There are social silos and a desire for cross-pollination. e. Wescoe is the center of campus. f. Kansas Union could be outward facing for recruiting and conferences with a hotel package. g. Jan: What is the future of the library? Theresa: It’s worth partnering with them. 2. What impact will the Master plan have? a. It will shift the central point – retail in DeBruce and the Business Schools. b. The Bus Schedule is a consideration. c. Jan: Distributed model vs. More Centralized. 2 hubs vs. 6. d. We need a creative mecca – an outdoor social union to express community. 3. Kansas Union Discussion: a. The challenge is 6 floors and social density. b. Recruitment. You have 1 minute to make an impact. c. Nebraska’s Union underwent strategic interventions. d. How can the Union play a role in the academic initiative? i. Core curricular values are same across schools. We’re looking for ways to crosspollinate. ii. If it were in the right location and had enough space. iii. Now the union is focused on retail but doesn’t have the space. iv. This is a good goal to have. 4. Possible Location for New Union: a. Rec Center Site – It’s heavily used, but not a hangout place. b. The Tennis site by the Business School c. Wescoe is the premium space, but you can’t build into it. Connect it to Anschutz. d. Theresa: Do residence halls provide space in their location? 5. Challenges and Considerations: a. Consider student fees. How will we finance a new Union. Most money to dining will pay off. b. Financial viability is a huge consideration. c. We worry about DeBruce being financially feasible. d. Consider the role of Anschutz and classrooms in the union.
University of Kansas (KU) Memorial Unions Strategic Planning 13-186 Workshop Architects
1.12 Staff Representatives Friday, October 18, 2013 Kansas Union Governors Room 9:00am – 10:00am Attendees: David Johnston, Alumni Marketing Director Liz Phillips, Assistant Director of Public Safety Claudia Larkin, Marketing Director Mike Reid, Public Affairs and KU History Director Curtis Marsh, KU Information Director Jan van den Kieboom, Workshop Architects Peter van den Kieboom, Workshop Architects Questions and Notes: 1. Introductions and Context: a. Claudia: New in January. Does strategic planning and marketing Just rebranded the union and Website. Works with union programming to promote activities and identity. Works with 6 staff and 9 students. b. Liz: Lawrence has elements of a big city and a small town – hard to leave. Liz manages all public safety for the University (anyone with a gun). They’re converting Union cameras and alarms. c. Curtis: Runs the Café in the Anschutz library learning studio and Jayhawk in the Union. Office is on 4th Floor of Union. d. David: Went to KU. Was the first Director of Marketing for the Unions when they were centralized. Promoted to Marketing Director and did the first rebranding with unanimous approval. i. In 2000 Campus was decentralized and by 2006 everyone had its own identity. ii. Integrated marketing plan with university from all Points of View. e. Mike: Has worked in the Union since 1978. i. Bookstore was bought in 1946 from a student. Mike was Bookstore Director in 1987: managing the Bookstore, C-Store, and Burge Union store when it opened. ii. Now director of Public Affairs, he runs development, advertising, and KU history 2. Anschutz Library: a. KU Info was 1 of 3 student services that moved into the Library. There are 2 floors left of the 4 floors of library books. They strategically filled floors with study spaces for groups and individuals as well as office space for student services. b. Students can’t find late night study spaces on campus. Other than the Engineering Library, Anschutz is the only space open 24-hours. 3. Partnership Possibilities between Libraries and Union: a. Would be collegiate. There’s no evidence against it. b. There was concern at first about Union spaces in the library, but there’s room for both of us on campus. c. We could enhance study spaces in the Union. The Library doesn’t have meeting spaces. d. Jan: Merging missions of Student Affairs, Academic Affairs, and First Year Experience. e. They are Restructuring and Reorganizing the library. f. Rethink the computer lab. 4. Intercept Interview Themes: a. Anschutz & Underground are most popular. They benefit from location. Don’t have to entice. b. What if we lift up the Union and put on Jayhawk Boulevard. c. Unanimously, the Union should be at Wescoe. Blow up Wescoe and start again. 5. KU History and Traditions: a. Rock Chalk is a chant started by the science club in the 1800s. It was used in the Phillipines in WWI, like Marco Polo. It’s a reference to chalky limestone outcroppings in Kansas and the Best College Chant. University of Kansas (KU) Memorial Unions Strategic Planning 13-186 Workshop Architects
6.
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b. Fire in April of 1970 over racial war protests was a seminal event for the University. The same year was the Summerfield Bomb and a murder down the street. i. Students helped to put out fire in their building. It was Symbolic. ii. The fire is remembered more than the bomb. iii. First there was a threat and then the bomb went off. c. 3 Big Unrest Schools: Berkeley. Kent State. Kansas. d. The Chicago 7 hid out blocks from here. e. kuhistory.com has a third of the university archives. How do you see the role of the unions changing in the future? a. Expand facilities. Woodruff is too small. The Ballroom is not flexible enough. Breakout space is inadequate. There is no good place to study. b. The Lied Center is too big. c. Stairwell is called “Traditions Tower” i. WTW built it in 2000 when curve was trend. ii. Funding came from services – no state funding. iii. The Business building will be glass, but not curved. Opportunity for Tourism: a. Visitor Center and DeBruce will encroach on the union role. b. A Planetarium could be incorporated in the Union c. Could include temporary lockers/Locker Rooms. d. Position more for conference services and information. We need a local convention and conference space. e. Oread won’t reserve blocks of rooms unless we use their meeting package. It’s hard to work with that because they’re not big enough. They’re not a huge threat – they have weddings more than conferences. Location, Fragmentation, and the Growth West: a. Burge could have a future as a major student center to serve residence halls. b. Students see Kansas Union as transactional because there’s no attraction. Students don’t come to the Union unless it’s for business. They don’t plan here. i. SUA are the best and the brightest. They use the Union. “They drank the Kool-Aid.” c. Can Kansas Union be the hub this far out? Students aren’t willing to go that far. d. Kansas Union could be outward facing, primarily for meetings, hotel, and parking. It would still have food and social spaces, but the primary mission is out. e. The Union needs to be anywhere by Wescoe. f. We need a place for social interaction where people are mashed together – a place to express being a Jayhawk. g. We have 22 locations but we don’t have a Union. Students feel fragmented. The distributed model is the wrong answer. Students want one space. Because campus is so big, a central place is so important. h. Students need to feel connection to the Union and have a reason to pop in – commuters too. i. We’re pessimistic about putting the Union way out west. The visitor center failed. j. A Hub to the west could be an afterhours destination. k. The triangle is crying out for a facility. Now it’s just a bridge and needs an anchor. l. A great space could overcome the location. If you build it they will come. m. Move destinations like the bank and card center out of the Union. They are in prime locations and are making the Union a through building. Front Door of Campus: a. People enter from town on the North fountain side or from the South for games. b. When you google the campus it says to take 59 Hwy to 15th Street. c. Hotels have become the landmark.
University of Kansas (KU) Memorial Unions Strategic Planning 13-186 Workshop Architects
1.13 Student Tour Friday, October 18, 2013 10:00am – 11:00am Notes: The tour starts with “There are two unions” o Kansas Union has SILK, Coffee, Socializing area, KU Store, Market, Radio, and Salon. o The 5th and 6th floors have meeting and events if you want. 1 in 4 students study abroad. OTC Members at Memorial will guard this by Marvin’s Grove on Veteran’s Day. Bell Tower is a WWII Memorial Graduation: Walk down the hill through Campanile into Stadium. Always walk “up” the hill for classes. Kissing someone on the hill – if the bell rings, the person you are kissing is who you’ll marry. Used to throw goal posts into the lake after a home win. That’s why Emma (tour guide) came to KU. Twente Hall used to be a hospital. Tooty-Toot: Steam alarm on campus. It doesn’t take long to walk from the Union. Marvin Hall (Architecture) is “Light Building” because people are always there. Has more food deliveries that all residence halls combined. Fraser Hall is poster child for KU – tallest point in Lawrence. Are buildings allowed to be taller? Basketball coach Bill Self and players deliver pizzas to students to show fan appreciation. Military Science Building is warm and really comfy. It’s the Best place to take a nap. Business Building has career center and etiquette training. 3rd Floor of Anschutz is a great place for group study. Wescoe was supposed to be a 5-6 story building, but fund from project routed to union when it was firebombed during protests. Wescoe is a “catch all” building. A place to socialize and see friends.
University of Kansas (KU) Memorial Unions Strategic Planning 13-186 Workshop Architects
1.14
Union Programs
Friday, October 18, 2013 Kansas Union Governors Room 12:00pm – 1:00pm Attendees: Christy Khamphila, SUA Camden Bender, SUA Jason Fried, SUA Erin Calhoun, CCO Sierra Franklin, SUA Kaitlin DeJong, SUA Michelle Compton, Union Programs Maranda Jones, Development Director for KJHK Marie Schmitz, The Big Event Katie Gilbaugh, The Big Event Thomas Johnson, Union Programs JJ O’Toole-Curran, Union Programs Peter van den Kieboom, Workshop Architects Taryn Hicks, Workshop Architects Questions and Notes: 1. What happens on the KU campus? a. The Big Event: i. Started at Texas A&M in the 1980s and spread across the country. 4th year at KU. ii. It’s a campus and community event to thank Lawrence and ease the Town & Gown relationship. Campus volunteers do community service projects in Lawrence. iii. Last Year there were 3,000 volunteers at 300 job sites. The goal for this year is 4,500 volunteers at 400 job sites. b. Rock Chalk Block Party: i. Happens the first Friday of move-in to welcome people on campus. Organizations table in the ballroom, market, and bookstore. Food, DJs, Bands, and Groups set up on Union Plaza. 700-800 people. 1. It’s Crowded! People only want to be in the main stairwell and on the 4th floor. 2. Music in Ballroom is too much; you have to scream over tabling alone. c. Rock Chalk Review: i. Greek Houses audition. 5 pairs put on 30-minute musicals and a winner is named. Proceeds go to United Way. Held in Lied Center and is always full! There are tremendous overhead costs: estimated $40K. 2. Major Programming Spaces a. Ballroom: Hosts dancing with the stars. It’s too flat and you can’t hang things on the walls. b. Union Plaza: Holds Tunes at Noon, Cook Outs, Brown Bag Drag, and Corporate Events like the Victoria’s Secret Show. 3-4 groups can table at once and some events have 500+ people. c. Wescoe Beach fills a big outdoor role because the Union “is still the edge of campus and it’s hard to get people over here.” Plus Wescoe is more of a school area, in the center of campus. You pass it every day on the way to class no matter what you’re studying. d. Woodruff: Holds Fall and Spring Campus Movie Series for $2. It has a new screen and projector and can hold 499 people. It’s good for movies and has only sold out once. Woodruff is too small for most speakers. We have to have multiple training sessions for the big event due to limited size. The stage is too small. It looks and sounds much more professional than a lecture hall. We can adjust the lights and hire an AV technician for $20/hour. e. Lied has room for 2,000 but is too expensive. f. Hashinger Studio and Black Box: Only programming spaces on West Campus. Studio holds 57 people. 9:00pm Daisy Hill events include Grocery Bingo and Music Performances. The Black Box is a 20’ tall concrete room painted black with no AV support. It’s not appealing. University of Kansas (KU) Memorial Unions Strategic Planning 13-186 Workshop Architects
g. Burge Union: hosts movie nights for families. h. Off Campus: i. Liberty Hall (Mass) An old time theatre with a townie feeling. 1,000 seats. ii. Bottleneck (Mass) A small concert venue iii. Jackpot (New Hampshire) A Tiny, loud concert venue. iv. Granada (Mass) A gross bar/concert venue with a slab and no stage. Sold 827 tickets for an event there. 3. Burge Union Discussion: a. It feels very athletic because of training tables. They shut down dining at 2:00 for everyone but athletes. Burge is not a student center. You’re out of place unless you’re an athlete. b. Grid Iron in the basement is the best room. It has a “church basement” kind of feel. c. Burge is “Where you go when you can’t get a room here.” d. “It’s a terribly arranged building.” “Useless.” “Maybe just blow it up.” 4. Kansas Union Discussion: a. Hawks Nest is too small and doesn’t feel welcoming. It’s barricaded off. It has TVs, but no tables. People who park by the stadium come in this door and go immediately to the elevator. There’s a pole in front of the stage and the interactive installations interrupt studying. It was used more when Milton’s was there. Campus Christians and 150 person staff meetings are held here. b. Market: The cafeteria by market is a circus. It’s always busy. Food closes early, so meetings and studying happen here in the evenings. There are alcoves for meetings too. c. Bowling: Has 12 lanes used for bowling class and cosmic bowling. “If we want a moveable, flexible spaces, eventually we’re going to have to think about what to do with the bowling alley.” d. Pulse: Open until 7 and has an Airport Feel. That’s why we program in the Studio – for a coffee shop feel. Milton’s had that. e. Radio Station: Has the best space in the Union. There are 1500sf, 3 studios (music, news, and live recording), a lounge with a couch, a closet, and an office, but there’s nowhere to meet. The radio station is totally student run by 150 volunteers. There is 24/7 programming and the Live Events committee put on concerts at Granada. f. SILK: The space is too small. Cubicles in SILK are distracting because there’s no separation between social and focused work. Groups lack office space. g. Programming Office: We like the location, but we don’t like the space. The Big Event has annexed a corner of the space and will continue to grow. We need more office space and more storage - currently have 2 full closets. SUA has 5 fulltime staff and 24 student leaders that hold 5-15 office hours a week. The Separation from SILK works because they are building vs. not building. SUA started with the Unions and want to stay here. h. It takes 10 minutes to get to the Union from Student apartments. 15-20 minutes to Watson. It would be nice to stop in Union to print and not go “into campus.” 5. Ideas and Dreams: a. 800-1200 person auditorium and 80-120 person flexible true coffee shop. b. Concert Venue. c. A Comedy club the size of Alderson. It would feel like a club with Open Mic Nights & rounds. d. Small dedicated theater. e. Event spaces need to be in the union because of cost, event staff, and staging space. f. We need pre-function space like in the Lied Center. Now we set up tables in the hallway. g. There’s a storage need in Kansas Union. Now we’re renting a storage unit and using the parking lot until an equipment shed is built. h. A Computer lab! i. We need a comfortable, cozy, quiet study space to read and eat between classes. j. Programs need dedicated meeting rooms. k. Nice leather seats. l. Connect event space to food with a pub-style programming space. “A lot of campuses have a bar!”
University of Kansas (KU) Memorial Unions Strategic Planning 13-186 Workshop Architects
m. More outdoor space: i. Expand Jaybowl and Hawks nest onto the terrace. ii. The plaza is nice and it’s a high traffic area. We would love a larger plaza space with power connections and staging space. Boxes around trees have power now. iii. The pavilion now is for smokers. iv. Activate the upstairs roof space. v. “This campus is also missing a quad.” vi. “If the Burge had a nice green space behind it, that would be popular.” vii. The best views are from the top of Oread looking West. viii. We need refuge outdoor space. 6. Other Thoughts: a. Because of the hills, people don’t want to walk home and back to campus. b. Conferences are planned 5 years in advance. Have to work around their schedule.
University of Kansas (KU) Memorial Unions Strategic Planning 13-186 Workshop Architects
1.15
Bookstore Retail
Friday, October 18, 2013 Kansas Union Governors Room 1:00pm – 2:00pm Attendees: Janet Koehler, Assistant Director of Operations Liz Simpson, General Merchandising Manager James Rourke Estella McCollum, Bookstores Manager (by conference phone) Peter van den Kieboom, Workshop Architects Taryn Hicks, Workshop Architects Questions and Notes: 1. Eleven Retail Locations: a. Jayhawk Ink does binding and printing for the university and brings in several thousand dollars per month. It has a lounge for events with amazing views – this is a hidden gem. It has a computer study center open until 8pm. Trade books are here because it makes the most sense in terms of space. b. Kansas Union Store: With the remodel it’s a good size. We’re lucky to have the amount of space we have. Now the customer is going back and forth, but when the remodel is done the separation will make sense. There are only 3-4 weeks left of the remodel. c. Burge Union Store: Includes law textbooks, consumables, and spirit gear. The proximity to Allen Field house has grown spirit gear sales by 50%, but it should be more. We could better activate Burge for Basketball. There is a fiscal fan base – they’ll wait for the Final 4 shirt. Burge was recently remodeled and is improving, especially considering trends. Traffic is athletic, married housing, and summer camps. It’s acting mostly as a convenience store; books could easily go to the Kansas Union. d. Others on campus: Gift shop in Natural History Museum. Oread Hotel. Art + Design School (sells supplies – one of the most profitable stores). C-Store in Wescoe. Hawk Shop in Union. e. Other Campuses: Edwards. KC Med Center. Wichita Med Center. i. These are like the Burge Store: Specific Course materials, clothing, and mix. 2. Retail as economic engine: a. The bookstore is a reliable partner of the university. b. Retail is independently operated. c. Textbooks are still at the core. It’s the preferred way to receive the material. d. You can rent and buy through the website too. The Rental Program is popular. You have to physically come to the union to pick up and turn in the rental books. e. Web sales are diverse and wide-spread. Many alumni shop online. Online orders are filled from the union store. The Jayhawk is one of the most recognizable mascots. f. Even with declining enrollment, sales are up. Worst case is 3-4%. 3. Competition: a. KU Bookstore vs. KU Store, Jayhawk Store, or Jayhawk Spirit (Athletics) is confusing. It would be nice to collaborate with Athletics, but “we’re the stepchild.” Both are non-profits to support their own programs. b. There are 20-25 competitors for “Licensed Product” but we’re starting to get an edge with new, fresh product. You can buy spirit gear at any grocery or department store in Lawrence. There are 10 competitors on Mass Street, some that only have KU athletic gear. i. Sales are highly related to the failure or success of the teams, especially football. c. It’s difficult to get across that we’re nonprofit as opposed to Wal-Mart of Jock’s Nitch. The profits go back to the students. Alumni and Parents care more about this than students. d. Students come here for textbooks. Competitors have higher Prices.
University of Kansas (KU) Memorial Unions Strategic Planning 13-186 Workshop Architects
4. Location and Transportation: a. “We’re kind of the front porch. In a perfect world we would be the living room.” b. There Pros and Cons to the current location. Kansas Union is not the true center, but at least there’s parking. The Parking garage connection is the main entrance for conferences, giving us exposure to people that wouldn’t normally be here. i. We’re not allowed to put external signage anywhere on campus indicating what’s inside the building. ii. “I just don’t really see the Union as a destination point for students. I see the union as a destination for families on junior/senior visit days.” iii. We share the loading dock with catering, but offset times. The location works pretty well, but it could be bigger. There’s lots of traffic. c. We want to serve both students and the community. We should remain accessible to Lawrence. Wescoe would be less accessible, but Burge would be more. Kansas Union has a bus stop and a parking garage. Mass Avenue has its own options, so presence there would be convenient. i. “The more we rely on the community for revenue, the more we’re going to struggle. I know I wouldn’t want to pay for parking to shop.” ii. Paid parking will follow the union wherever it goes. This is a huge issue. iii. Has no parking on game days affected business? This is debatable. iv. We could shuttle people from downtown like they do for football games. d. You can’t see bookstore presence from the 3rd floor of the Union. e. Consider changes that are being made to the curriculum. They are trimming back on required courses and allowing more options. We may sell fewer books and this may lead to dissipation from Wescoe. f. The official entrance to campus is Iowa and 15th. i. “I’ve never used it.” ii. “I avoid that intersection like the plague.” 5. Other Schools: a. Mizzou’s Brady Commons has 19,000 people walk by daily. It’s directly across from the stateof-the-art Rec. Center and next to the largest food court and housing. It’s the Hub. 6. How has retail changed? a. People are more comfortable online than walking into a store. b. Publishers want you to believe there’s a huge shift to digital. The increase is in digital supplements – you get the access code in the printed book. The shift to digital in the trade area is easier. c. We could add auxiliary labs.
University of Kansas (KU) Memorial Unions Strategic Planning 13-186 Workshop Architects
1.16
Facilities
Friday, October 18, 2013 Kansas Union Governors Room 2:00pm – 3:00pm Attendees: Tim Wyrick, Building Services Director Pat Beard, Building Services Director Emeritus Kirby Ostrander, Custodial Supervisor Jan van den Kieboom, Workshop Architects Peter van den Kieboom, Workshop Architects Questions and Notes: 1. Big Picture. What shape are the buildings in? a. The original building was constructed in 1927. It’s been added onto 5 times. b. Frank was the Burge Director for 40 years and came on after the first building was done. They remodeled without looking at long term. c. In 1973, Kansas Union had food on 4 levels, bookstore on 3 levels, meeting rooms, and administration. d. Jim Long came after “Phase 1” of first renovation. They consolidated services, added food-togo and books-to-go, and moved meeting rooms and administration up. e. It was a mistake to put food service under food operations. Leaks dripped onto high-cost merchandise. Food was moved down to 3 and up to 4 where the public is. f. Now the building is expanding in the other direction: Panda Express and Merchandise 2. Parking Garage: a. Retail needs traffic and the parking garage helps. The rationale for connecting parking to Level 2 of the Union is to get them to the Bookstore. b. Parking was built with the capacity to go higher. Thought about putting the bookstore higher. c. Jan: Could you build a ballroom over parking? That would be great. Someone said it wouldn’t support the building load, but cars are heavy. 3. Loading Dock: a. Dysfunctional. b. Grade to it is a problem, especially in the winter. c. Shared with Natural History Museum, Bookstore, Food Service, and Catering. 4. Life Safety: a. $450-475 Simplex upgrade. b. Fully Sprinklered c. Safety Upgrades with Student Fee Money. Went to students and asked to fund over 10-year period. SURF = Student Union Renovation Fund for $500,000 a year ends after 9 years. d. VFA Assessment – See Handout List. e. State owns building. 5. Envelope: a. 25 years old b. 3 Ply EPDM Built-up. c. Burge is in Bad Shape d. Woodruff Leaks. e. Window Replacement 4-5 years ago. There were old wood frames. Bid out through the state and a cheap contractor got it with the minimum bid. Flashing/Insulation around framing was done. Some Windy spots, but extended the life of the building. $500,000 in doc. f. Firebomb in 1970 burned ballroom and it was gutted. g. Water damage on level 2. 6. If we move, what would we find? a. Not a lot of mysteries. Phase 1 (1987) got rid of a lot of the issues created in the initial move toward consolidation: gutted building in bowels, piping, mains. University of Kansas (KU) Memorial Unions Strategic Planning 13-186 Workshop Architects
b. Ballroom: 3 pipe to 4 pipe heating and cooling. Sweat between insulation and pipe was in bad shape. $748,000 on list. c. Lots of Air-Handling Units. Tried to upgrade to have individual spaces. JC Matasystem and VAV boxes helped efficiency. d. Air Quality and Comfort – overall not bad. When we go to 4 pipe we can address this. 7. Burge: a. Worse shape. Net Value is in VFA Assessment. b. Remodel didn’t involve DCM. c. Electricity is at full capacity. This is a big issue. d. Building envelope: Roof is in awful shape and not that old. Flat 3 ply epdm. Good for Solar. e. Sustainability: David would say weak. You have to do it yourself, there’s not a lot of guidance. DCM LEED target, but not certified. f. Air Dist. Off – Chiller is big enough. Not AHU. g. Is Burge worth saving? Leaning towards demo. How much value is there? Facility Condition Index $7,189,371. Detriment is the location. h. Site: Lots of fill area. Issues with Sumps. Settling, cracked, water main. Jayhawk Towers sewers backed up into Burge. Settlement with stair in front. i. Parking Structure: under parking and transit. j. Lighting: need to upgrade public areas for efficiency. k. No storage. Shops are inadequate because they’re crammed up. Have tried to do previous maintenance programs but didn’t have the space. l. AHUs: 7 big. 6 medium. 3 chillers. Rest are VAVs. 8. Comprehensive look by WTW in 2001. Main issues and ideas: a. Do we move the bookstore up to level 4? b. Getting rid of bowling c. Seating and restaurants d. Audrich was fixed and made more flexible. How can we make Woodruff flexible? e. Didn’t have money in 2001. f. Still live with limits of old core masonry. What can we open up? 9. Have you explored expanding the union outward? a. Conversation on student services center with architects from DC b. Can’t go toward Natural History Museum. To North is Limited. Across the street is last piece of land on Jayhawk Boulevard. Over parking garage needs structural analysis. c. Activate outdoor spaces. We need a Parisian coffee venue with windows to activate the plaza on Jayhawk Boulevard. d. Washington State has a similar renovation. Their Union is on a hill next to the stadium. e. Expansion depends on the role of the Union. Conference center v. Social Center. i. Social: add openings and free up space.
University of Kansas (KU) Memorial Unions Strategic Planning 13-186 Workshop Architects
1.17
Event Services
Friday, October 18, 2013 Kansas Union Governors Room 3:00pm – 4:00pm Attendees: Lisa Kring, Director of University Event Services (1 of 7 directors) David Mucci, Director of Unions Jan van den Kieboom, Workshop Architects Angela Van Dyke, Workshop Architects Questions and Notes: 1) What kinds of events do you currently put on? a) Summer camps: Providing a better experience on campus for youth and parents. b) Junior and Senior Days take over event space on Mondays and Wednesdays. c) New Student Orientation d) 3 large career fairs annually including business and engineering. 160 employers in 15,000sf of Ballroom space. e) Multiple small career fairs throughout the year. 2) What types of events do you have to turn away? a) Conferences that need multi-media rooms on Monday and Wednesday. 3) What are the responsibilities of Event Services? a) Managing and Scheduling Events b) Reserving space as well as equipping spaces with services c) Catering is also handled by event services. 4) What is working well? a) Levels 5 & 6. Proximity is good, but separation of floors is good and bad. 5) What can be improved? a) Organization and set-up of events needs to be more centralized. b) Retail and Market services go unknown. c) In spaces that aren’t flexible, there’s a lot of dead space. d) There’s no chance for local social events because no alcohol is allowed to be served to offcampus people. e) We’re lacking circulation space around 5th and 6th floor meeting rooms. The hallways are too narrow so spaces are bottlenecked. f) The catering kitchen blocks all natural daylight. g) Student groups’ meetings and events take over the evenings. 6) Conference and Event Spaces: a) Ballroom has a 320 person capacity with rounds. b) New hotels and conference centers are being built in Lawrence. c) Public transportation and hotel play as an advantage for the Union to be an event and conference building. d) Woodruff is functionally failing because it lacks performance space. 7) Other thoughts: a) Activity Centers have a retail component and large atrium. Student Unions have no or little retail. b) Student Centers at UT Austin and Mizzou are models.
University of Kansas (KU) Memorial Unions Strategic Planning 13-186 Workshop Architects
1.18 Strategic Planning Workshop Saturday, October 19, 2013 Kansas Union Malott Room 8:45am – 4:00pm
Attendees: Thomas Plummer, President Corporation Board Marcus Tetwiler, Student Body President Emma Halling, Student Body Vice President Camden Bender, SUA President Christy Khamphilay, SUA VP Alumni/Community Relations Ruth Ann Atchley, Faculty Senate Representative – Corporation Board Claudia Larkin, Marketing Director Nona Golledge, Dining Director Tim Wyrick, Building Services Director Mike Reid, Public Affairs Director Estella McCollum, Bookstores Director Leah Reichert, Unions CFO Monita Ireland, DCM Architect Assigned Unions JJ O’Toole-Curran, Program Director Kaitlyn DeJong, SUA Communications Director Bud Burke, Corporation Board Alumni Representative Michael Wade Smith, Graduate Rep of School of Business, Former Student Body President MacKenzie Oatman, Senate University Affairs Chair Michelle Compton, Union Programs Sierra Franklin, Student Union Activities David Mucci, Unions Director Jan van den Kieboom, Workshop Architects Peter van den Kieboom, Workshop Architects Angela Van Dyke, Workshop Architects Taryn Hicks, Workshop Architects Loren Rullman
Outline: OVERARCHING PURPOSE Expose inherent organizational capabilities and opportunities; visualize a preferred future; and identify key strategies for participating in and contributing to campus goals and priorities, with special attention to the physical campus framework. RUBRIC Research Question: “What future do we imagine for the Unions given the context we know and the changes we can predict?” Literature Review (Environmental Scan) o Campus master plan o Best practices for unions o Student Profile Experiment (Facility Scenarios – later in consulting process) o Changes in space, renovation, construction, demolition, physical relocation, etc. Conclusion (Preferred Future and Facility Recommendations – later in consulting process)
University of Kansas (KU) Memorial Unions Strategic Planning 13-186 Workshop Architects
RULES Everyone has equal voice (this is not deciding, this is visioning) Think long term (10 – 20 years) Stewardship vs. Representation Live more fully into the University’s vision Be honest MORNING – SWOT ANALYSIS Handout: Primer on SWOT Analysis Break into small groups Ask prompting SWOT questions for discussion and recording Large group report after each question Consultants create themes while each question is being answered Consensus on themes via discussion AFTERNOON – STRATEGIC VISIONING Break into small groups Ask prompting Vision questions for discussion and recording Hexagon post-its recording of answers Hexagonal sorting and discussion (large group) Consensus
GROUPS Important to “level” the power differentials in the room by strategic group assignment Group 1 1. Thomas Plummer (Student) 2. Christy Kamphilay (Student) 3. Nona Golledge (Union) 4. Monita Ireland (Union) 5. JJ O’Toole (Union) 6. Sierra Franklin (Student)
Group 3 1. Emma Halling (Student) 2. David Mucci (Union) 3. Mike Reid (Admin) 4. Kaitlyn DeJong (Union) 5. MacKenzie Oatman (Student)
Group 2 1. Marcus Tetwiler (Student) 2. Ruth Ann Atchley (Faculty) 3. Tim Wyrick (Union) 4. Estella McCollum (Admin) 5. Michael Wade Smith (Student) Group 4 1. Camden Bender (Student) 2. Claudia Larking (Union) 3. Leah Reichart (Union) 4. Bud Burke (Alumni) 5. Michelle Compton (Union)
STRATEGIC QUESTIONS 1. What University values will be visible, amplified, and palpable in the future Kansas Memorial Unions? 2. What unique or distinctive role will Kansas Memorial Unions fulfill for the University? 3. What words will students use to describe their experiences with Kansas Memorial Unions? 4. What physical changes are needed to fulfill these aspirations?
University of Kansas (KU) Memorial Unions Strategic Planning 13-186 Workshop Architects
Notes: DAVID The Master Plan is still in flux. This is a confidential draft. Behind Anschutz the military science building will be demolished. Zoning Diagram: o Jayhawk Trail will connect to West Campus. Consider flow, density on the hill, and the relationship to West Campus and to Burge. o Malott (science building) is past its prime. o The South will become a research park. o 19th and Iowa will become retail/housing mixed use sooner than 10 years. Parking Garage Sites: Recreation, Lot next to Burge, Union where geological survey is. Pedestrian Circulation Plan. Topography is a deterrent. 10-year Facilities Plan: o Burge Garage with Science next to it. Potential move of science building could impact the location of the “heart” or “hub” of campus. o Mixed use bridge over Iowa could unite campus. o Convention centers at 15th + Iowa and 23rd. There are 5 options for a Student Center Location. o Is two unions the answer? Two convention centers? o We have 115,000sf deficit in Union space. Burge is 48,000sf. Kansas Union is 250,000sf. We are almost 3 Burges short. That’s scary! Conference Center is intended as a meeting place. What’s the Union’s involvement? Does it make sense to build a conference center over the Union’s parking garage? This is an issue we would explore as part of the study if direction were given by the institution. Consider the relationship with Edwards campus. There is a big disconnect and an effort to bring Edwards campus up to us and unify. This is part of the long-range plan. and retail are still the main economic drivers. o Smart Planning. Smart Business. Food Don’t show renderings to Topeka. They think it’s too extravagant. LOREN There is no first-year survey at KU. CIRP Freshman Survey includes economics, college selection criteria, social and political attitudes, academic habits, and technology. Most students underestimate the amount of time it takes to finish college. 1/3 are done after 4 years. Politically, students are moving to the center – both men and women. Students now come to college more prepared and are committed to success, but they also feel more pressure. Students feel overwhelmed, especially women, and this has an impact on success. o What do students need? What kinds of spaces are psychologically safe? Technological needs vary from freshmen to seniors to graduate students to staff to faculty. Job Opportunities and Student Life are increasingly important. Human interaction is craved. Question: What are the findings for graduate students? They are 1/5 of our population. JAN The Union’s mission is in transition. We’re talking about things we weren’t discussing 3 years ago. The Union is evolving from transactional to relational. From Service to Wellness to Student Success. Bridging: We want a place where the engineers can run into the poets. This is happening at Wescoe. Potential Vision Tours: NC State Library University of Kansas (KU) Memorial Unions Strategic Planning 13-186 Workshop Architects
Sticky Space is about fit, commitment, and place attachment. Sticky Space at KU is Mass Ave. Integrate Student Life and Academic Affairs. o How can learning occur throughout the day? Not just 10-2. Thick Space is a new economy. Smart planning and Smart work places. o Thickness Increases. Resources Decrease. Stickiness Increases. Cost Decreases. o 10-15% less square footage = saving millions in construction and operation. Thick Dining and Thick Retail will increase the focus on the economic engine. Food and Bookstore are drivers and are critical at KU because of limited fees.
EMERGING THEMES KU students are earnest. Social atomization on campus as opposed to centrality. Feelings of mattering are impacted most by social support and atomization affects this heavily. There are coherence issues The Unions are transactional Tell & Craving: Students are flocking to Wescoe and Anschutz out of need for a gathering space. Role Reversal between the Union and Library. Operational Barriers: Buses, Class Schedule, and Hours of Operation form a cycle. Landscape as an Asset: Favorite spaces on campus are outdoors and views. KU is Tradition Heavy: Whistle. Hill. Rock Chalk Chant.
SWOT – COMMENTS, ISSUES, & ARGUMENTS Weaknesses Disagree with the lack of a student fee as a weakness. There is a clear investment from students. The problem may not be fee related, but there is a financial issue. o The issue is connected to hours. Heat and air are shut off and buildings are locked after 5:00. Union Hours follow the 9-5 culture of the University. o Maybe we should rethink the financial context. Can the Union lead a change? Even if the Union and nothing else is, we need a way to pay for longer hours. o Are 10-2 classes serving non-traditional student populations? Some buildings are open at night and on weekends – they offer night classes at Wescoe. o You can park anywhere after 5:00. That’s an opportunity. o Additional Internal Weakness: Operations. Bus Schedule and Buildings closing early. Participants wrote “Old School” and “Innovative and Forward Thinking.” Clarify. o We want to move forward. We are forward-thinking in terms of service, products, and opportunities. We are innovative socially. But we have an old school idea of what a Union is. o Perhaps we’re too cautious due to finances and we became old-school. Again, the economic model is driving choices. “Unclear about the role of the Union” is not universally true. We know what our role is, it’s just not wide spread. It’s not clear to people outside of the Union. o The role of the Union is clear however not uniformly or explicitly explained or communicated. o The Career Center and Advising are at the other Union. Make it a one-stop-shop. o An accurate way to describe the problem is “Underdeveloped and Not Visible Enough.” o External Threat: Administration on campus isn’t clear about our role. Role: Recruitment & Retention. Marketing and Retail are in the chicken/egg scenario. People don’t come in so stores can’t stay open. This is the same with buses. Revenue gets stuck. University of Kansas (KU) Memorial Unions Strategic Planning 13-186 Workshop Architects
There are limitations of the current Union Structure. The back of house blocks views, there are no programs to activate the Plaza, and there are challenges with visibility. This is more true of Burge, but also Kansas Union. o We must be very careful with historical buildings. There are buildings with pedigree along Jayhawk Blvd. This comes with certain expectations - it’s hard to think about modifying them. o Jan’s Cooper Effect: Building’s train us to behave a certain way and adopt workarounds. o The stacked building with limited visibility impacts financial availability and mission. “Stacked Split-Level Living is Schizophrenic.” There is a lack of Sticky Space, but it’s also about welcoming space for social activity and collaboration. o Isn’t conference space for sociability? o Even with the renovation on the 4th floor it feels like a place where you need to be quiet. o 1st place is classroom. 2nd place is residence hall. 3rd places are pubs and coffee shops where currency is conversation. o We need Salon Culture and Fun. Cerebral Space and a Stress Outlet, not just a coffee shop. o These exist, but are temporary events rather than spaces due to economics. o The Hashinger Studio is one of the stickiest places on campus. Opportunities Partner with athletics, specifically for basketball. The Burge is right there, but people don’t use it. Capitalize on the proximity to Allen Field House! o Ex: Gateway to Game Day, Pregame or Aftergame celebrations, A Place for students to watch the game. o We have a great relationship with the athletic department – a health margin. Programming is outsourced to Lawrence. What are some opportunities on campus? o A live performance space. There is a big music scene in Lawrence. This is also an opportunity for Lied Center Events and Murphy Hall Matinees to come out and be more accessible to undergrads. o A Place for collaborations. Cross-Pollinate in new spaces. o The Business Building has Etiquette Training – opportunity for this in the Union? o Place for theatre, movies, and poetry. Alcohol: Is this a weakness or an opportunity? There is an institutional policy that bans alcohol to external groups. Internal groups have to go through hoops and paperwork. This makes hosting weddings almost impossible. o It’s not about alcohol, but about atmosphere and ambiance. We need frothy, enticing, adult environments. There’s a “deficiency in magnetic thickness.” Magnets include coffee, fireplaces, and technology. o Example: Two daughters on campus. Would like them to learn about alcohol on campus rather than in the downtown environment. It could be done well, safely, in moderation. It keeps them from driving. o Alcohol is the number one health issue for college students. On-Campus it could be controlled, but still funky. With a sense of agency and balance. “That would be speakeasy. That would be good.” Incorporate the Grittiness of signing a wall. Students love that. They can be a part of history. Own and personalize the space. Do this digitally – could be infinite. This plays into the History-Rich nature of KU. University of Kansas (KU) Memorial Unions Strategic Planning 13-186 Workshop Architects
At Jefferson’s you can design a dollar bill and hang it on the wall. Is drifting onto Mass an Opportunity or Threat? It draws life from campus, even for students under 21. Is the Campus Master Plan an Opportunity or Threat? o It’s clearly an opportunity, but I’m surprised it wasn’t listed as a threat. o The dispersed Union is a threat. o Conclusion: Even though knowledge is low, the fact that unions are featured so prominently in the Master Plan is an opportunity. Threats Is KU “Expensive” or a “Great Deal?” Clarify. o National Perception and State Perception vary. In Kansas, west of Topeka, KU is seen as snobbish, elitist, and liberal. “Snob Hill.” The rest of the world sees the research and amazing value. o When you see our facilities you think “is that it?” compared to our competitors. We are the most expensive, but with second-tiered spaces. Smaller schools are less expensive and have great technology. We’re academically above, but there’s not as much of an allure. o It was a trend for a long time for elite institutions to think “students are lucky to be here.” Recruitment and retention were fine, so facilities fell behind and are now subpar. “That’s KU.” Recruitment and Retention Problem: o People are applying, but ultimately not coming. Enrollment Management. o How do we connect with those who are leaving? Is there something the union can offer? There’s an opportunity for the union to be an active partner. o K-State is up. That’s a threat. o “If what you’re doing isn’t related to retention you would be seen as off-base.” Parking and Transit Dependency: o Chicken and the egg with classes, union, and buses. o This is connected to use and vibrancy: Many people don’t come to the union because of transportation and parking. o The parking lot used to be metered and open so you would “take your chances.” Now you have to pay the gate to get out. Staff permits are $300. Lots used to be free after 5, Now 8 o Burge parking is inaccessible during the day or games. o “If you’re not walking to it you’re not getting to it.” o Often the thing in the way of building community is us. There is Union Space in Every Building: (Ex. Anschutz, Lounges in Murphy, Eaton) o Every dean wants a coffee shop. o “Anschutz has a come here make this place your home feel.” It’s close to food. o There are 70+ food locations at the University of Michigan. Now there’s a review committee that cuts down requests due to forms and processes. They can’t close or audit. Rob White helped them get a handle on the proliferation and make it competitive. Three are grossing over $1 million. Not all venues are run from on campus – local coffee companies have shops on campus. Lots of those 70 locations are coffee. “Coffee Wild West”
End Game How do we use strengths to mitigate threats? Which barriers are about policy and which are about physical place?
University of Kansas (KU) Memorial Unions Strategic Planning 13-186 Workshop Architects
STRATEGIC VISIONING Values: Increasing indoor/outdoor intersections. Diversity. Break down elitism. Stickiness. Service oriented. Collaborative spirit. Increase exposure to academic intersections. Student development. Spacious and inviting – WOW! Exciting. Celebration of diversity. Inclusivity. Sustaining traditions. Comfort. Building connections. Vibrant. Support co-curricular learning. Collaboration. Forwardthinking. Sense of community. ROI. Relevance. Comfort, home, feeling welcoming. Open communication. Engagement. Enabling student success. Mentorship. Bridge in/out of classroom. Sustainable decision making. Create and foster community. Efficiency in service of affordability. Embrace student development. Community. Student success. The resource. Inclusive environment. Innovative leadership. Roles: Retention. Entertainment enterprise. Third place. Tradition keeper. Community. Arena for social norming. Forum for campus opinion. Student seat of power (Game of Thrones). Student development agent. Retail service provider. Technology and media hub. Foster innovation. Learning outcomes. Community service hub. Third place. Activities center. Technology support and resources. #1 for campus gear location. Alcohol friendly. Intersection between students and university leaders. Art center. Safe place. Stress relieving environment. Basic needs and services. Service costs low. Expanding minds and perceptions. Office for social, academic, and political intersections. Student self-governance. Student driver. WOW for recruitment and retention. Study destination. Peer socialization. Leader in events and programs. To create third places. Experiences: Enlightening. Easy going. Stimulating. Exciting. Welcoming. Supportive. Transformative. Social. Communal. Necessary. Receptive to student concerns. Relevant. Home. Accessible. Warm. Welcoming. Eye-opening, perception changing. Interactive. Fun. Resourceful. Fun. Modern. Mattering. Social. Traditions. Welcoming. Diverse. Comfortable and inviting. Comfortable. Personal growth. Fun. Stimulating. Intrinsically motivating. Cathedral of Jayhawk spirit. Robust. Third place. Home.
WAYS Programs and Activities: Create third places. High touch student leadership. Entertainment and performing arts. Food trucks. TEDX KU. Open mic night in coffee shop. Institutionalized salon groups to encourage cross department conversation. Dining. Coffee shop series. Outdoor film. Music in union. Electronic gaming center. Endowed lecture series. Innovative speakers. Art shows, concerts. Expressive arts. Genius bar of services. Mid-size concerts. Genius bar. Concerts. Billiards. Physical Changes: Sports pub. Bar. Bar. Blow up Burge. Blow up Burge. Blow up Burge. Conference center. Conference center. Fireplace. Natural textures. More student group space. Student success services. Cross-branding on all services. Bigger student office space. Go where students are. Atrium connecting Underground and Anschutz. Take over Wescoe. Take over Wescoe. Take over Wescoe. Take over Wescoe. Take over Wescoe. Take over Wescoe. Take over Wescoe. More patio spaces. Expand level 2 patios. Indoor/outdoor coffee. More patio spaces. Make Jaybowl relevant.
University of Kansas (KU) Memorial Unions Strategic Planning 13-186 Workshop Architects
STRATEGIC VISIONING THEMES Values: Inclusion and Diversity. Community Hub. Welcoming. FUN. Student Focused. Collaboration. Stewardship. Roles: Technology. Activities. Community. Involvement. Social Norming/Social Capital. Recruitment and Retention. Retail and Services. HOME. Experiences: Second Place. Third Place. Atmosphere. Uniquely KU. Programs and Activities: Student Involvement. Entertainment. Speaking Engagements. Dining. Arts and Culture. Services and Hospitality. Physical Changes: Bar. Lounge. Blow ‘em up Good. Comfortable Space. Outdoor Space. Conference Center. Bigger Auditorium. Go Where Students Are. Take Wescoe Space.
STRATEGIC VISIONING DISCUSSION What is the meaning of social norming and social capital? o We need a comfortable environment to learn social norms – a space for this to happen. 2nd Place vs. 3rd Place o Campus is a home with layers of spaces and scales. o 2nd Place: Kept coming back to home and warmth and feelings like this. With the number of students from a small town is there more of a need here? Wescoe is overwhelming. There are no nooks and crannies. o There are different types of 3rd place. Not one or the other. Cozy AND Robust. Layering. o Dining and entertainment are connected by thick space. They have the same purpose. Learning experiences happen in the third place. o Descriptions: diverse, interactive, personal growth, enlighten, robust, communal, transformative, transcendental. “That’s how they describe those learning opportunities.” o A lot of places on campus have learning as an end result, but there are places you learn and places you go to learn. Places where you can turn off. Learning is organic and spontaneous. The warm, home feeling incentivizes learning. o Learning at the university should be the first thing. Think of the way it’s framed. o The Union exposes you to different people and schools. o There is a change to being student-focused. To achieve values, roles, and experiences, what physical changes are missing? o Bar. Space for Student Groups and Student Success. Bigger Auditorium. Outdoor Space. Take Wescoe Space: take over center of campus. Go West! Comfortable Space. o A new union where Burge is but we lack the area. Blow up Burge and completely redo. o We need an epic moment. A Wow factor. Anschutz is thick – the most epic we have. “Cathedral of the Jayhawk” is missing. o We thought if you build it they will come. How do we help them by creating places that reflect and create culture? Locations and Scenarios: o Burge: Location works with Athletics and Master plan. Opportunities because of location by Allen. “Give them Burge and we’ll take Anschutz.” That’s the prime location. Blow up Burge. DeBruce gives us this opportunity.
University of Kansas (KU) Memorial Unions Strategic Planning 13-186 Workshop Architects
Wescoe: Jan: Every student we talked to pointed to Wescoe as the heart of campus. In 10-20 years the campus will spread, but we’ll still have that core by Wescoe. Take Wescoe. It’s a Hot Spot. We’re not happy with current union location. o Connect Anschutz to the Underground with a Plaza in the middle. It becomes one place. o Strong Hall: Would integrate and prevent silos. Most Important: o Wescoe. o Not happy with Burge where it is. o Need outdoor space. o Blow up Burge. Why? It’s old and expensive to renovate. Facilities are in bad shape. We need a plan. There’s an opportunity to make cathedral. Burge is not even noticed. It’s a great place in the wrong spot. Just start over. o Bigger Venue. We need a flexible space for 800-1200 people. S: Woodruff M: Ballroom (Flat) L: Lied Center o Institutionalize Salon Groups. Encourage cross-department conversation. Interdisciplinary collaboration is untapped. The Immediate cost is nothing. Jan: Nebraska Study. Some of these things could be done simply with policy changes and paint. o
OVERVIEW OF THE DAY There is a problem with recruitment and retention, but a real commitment and pride of place. The community craves a physical place to come together. Salon Space. Sticky Space. There are challenges with the current locations. Burge is a space that is severely underutilized. We need comfortable space. Physically remedy the gaps between what’s visible and where you want to be.
NEXT STEPS November 8-9: Crunch information to identify vision tour locations. December 6-7: Different Physical Scenarios.
University of Kansas (KU) Memorial Unions Strategic Planning 13-186 Workshop Architects
Interview Location:
Name
Major/Year
Res hall, Off campus, Commute
John
Strategic Comm. – Senior
Off-Campus
1. Why KU? What makes it unique? Family and friends. The atmosphere is unique. Students from many cities intersect. There are Jayhawks everywhere. It’s heavy with tradition – very proud. At games it’s the way you carry yourself. 2. What is your favorite place(s) on-campus? Why?
Kansas Union. The Underground has food and is in the middle of campus. Stauffer Flint (Journalism Hall) has a good set up, lecture halls, and impromptu meeting space with technology. Wescoe Beach. Everyone hangs out there.
3. What is your favorite place(s) off-campus? Why? Henry’s on Mass Ave. 4. How often do you visit the Unions? When? a. Kansas? Once a week for fraternity meetings. b. Burge?
5. Why do you go there? a. Kansas? The Union should be a place to meet, have career fairs, and house orgs. b. Burge? Doesn’t go here because it’s too far. 6. What do you like about them? In the Hawks Nest you can eat on the sofa and no one will care. 7. What should be changed? We need more places to sit by windows. Would go to the Union more if it were more unique and had better food like Chick-Fil-A.
1736 NORTH SECOND ST MILWAUKEE WI 53212 STUDIO 414.272.8822 FAX 414.272.8812 WWW.WORKSHOPARCHITECTS.COM
8. How does their location impact their use? a. Kansas?
b. Burge?
9. In the future, it’s anticipated that the campus will grow to the west. How might this shift change how the unions are used?
10. Comment on: Food & Retail
Lounge & Study Areas
Student Group/Club Space
Meeting & Event Rooms
11. What’s one thing you would like to see in the Unions? Printing stations are needed. Everything else we need is provided in the Union. Meeting space to hook up sound systems for live music.
12. Any other thoughts?
1736 NORTH SECOND ST MILWAUKEE WI 53212 STUDIO 414.272.8822 FAX 414.272.8812 WWW.WORKSHOPARCHITECTS.COM
Interview Location:
Name
Major/Year
Res hall, Off campus, Commute
Jimmy
Journalism – Sophomore
Off-Campus
1. Why KU? What makes it unique? Choice in programs. Sports. It’s unique because the campus is nice, rural, and pretty. The campus is spread out but feels very close – everything is walking distance. 2. What is your favorite place(s) on-campus? Why?
Underground to study. Great location. Anschutz to study.
3. What is your favorite place(s) off-campus? Why? Home. I go there to eat. 4. How often do you visit the Unions? When? a. Kansas? Barely. Maybe one time per semester for books. b.
Burge? Never been there.
5. Why do you go there? a. Kansas?
b.
Burge?
6. What do you like about them?
7. What should be changed?
1736 NORTH SECOND ST MILWAUKEE WI 53212 STUDIO 414.272.8822 FAX 414.272.8812 WWW.WORKSHOPARCHITECTS.COM
8. How does their location impact their use? a. Kansas?
b.
Burge?
9. In the future, it’s anticipated that the campus will grow to the west. How might this shift change how the unions are used?
10. Comment on: Food & Retail
Lounge & Study Areas
Student Group/Club Space
Meeting & Event Rooms
11. What’s one thing you would like to see in the Unions?
12. Any other thoughts? The Welcome tour starts at the fountain by the other end of Jayhawk Blvd.
1736 NORTH SECOND ST MILWAUKEE WI 53212 STUDIO 414.272.8822 FAX 414.272.8812 WWW.WORKSHOPARCHITECTS.COM
Interview Location:
Name
Major/Year
Res hall, Off campus, Commute
Logan
Journalism – Sophomore
Off-Campus
1. Why KU? What makes it unique? The landscape – it’s really pretty. 2. What is your favorite place(s) on-campus? Why?
Underground. Love the outdoor seating. I’m able to focus.
3. What is your favorite place(s) off-campus? Why?
4. How often do you visit the Unions? When? a. Kansas? Sometimes. b.
Burge? Never been there.
5. Why do you go there? a. Kansas? KU Bookstore b.
Burge?
6. What do you like about them? The Union has a lot of services, but most people don’t know about them. 7. What should be changed? The Union should be more open. I want to be more involved, but you don’t really see any of that in the Union.
1736 NORTH SECOND ST MILWAUKEE WI 53212 STUDIO 414.272.8822 FAX 414.272.8812 WWW.WORKSHOPARCHITECTS.COM
8. How does their location impact their use? a. Kansas?
b.
Burge?
9. In the future, it’s anticipated that the campus will grow to the west. How might this shift change how the unions are used?
10. Comment on: Food & Retail
Lounge & Study Areas
Student Group/Club Space
Meeting & Event Rooms
11. What’s one thing you would like to see in the Unions? We need more outdoor seating and seating by bus stops. 12. Any other thoughts? The Union feels like a place you would use but once you get really involved with classes you don’t really go there.
1736 NORTH SECOND ST MILWAUKEE WI 53212 STUDIO 414.272.8822 FAX 414.272.8812 WWW.WORKSHOPARCHITECTS.COM
Interview Location:
Name
Major/Year
Res hall, Off campus, Commute
Cass
Sports Medicine – Sophomore
Off-Campus
1. Why KU? What makes it unique? Art Program. Jayhawk Boulevard is a point of reference. 2. What is your favorite place(s) on-campus? Why? Natural History Museum 3. What is your favorite place(s) off-campus? Why? Granada on Mass Ave. 4. How often do you visit the Unions? When? a. Kansas? MWF b.
Burge? I’ve only been there two times. Once in high school and one time for a meeting.
5. Why do you go there? a. Kansas? Events like Rocky Horror Picture Show upstairs. b.
Burge?
6. What do you like about them?
7. What should be changed? Have more technology – more outlets. Student alcoves and booths.
1736 NORTH SECOND ST MILWAUKEE WI 53212 STUDIO 414.272.8822 FAX 414.272.8812 WWW.WORKSHOPARCHITECTS.COM
8. How does their location impact their use? a. Kansas?
b.
Burge? Students have class close to Burge for Law and Engineering.
9. In the future, it’s anticipated that the campus will grow to the west. How might this shift change how the unions are used?
10. Comment on: Food & Retail Kansas Union restaurants close too early. We need a bigger C-Store with better variety.
Lounge & Study Areas
Student Group/Club Space
Meeting & Event Rooms
11. What’s one thing you would like to see in the Unions?
12. Any other thoughts? Wescoe Underground is really confusing. The Union is a staple on Jayhawk. The bus system is slow and only goes until 6.
1736 NORTH SECOND ST MILWAUKEE WI 53212 STUDIO 414.272.8822 FAX 414.272.8812 WWW.WORKSHOPARCHITECTS.COM
Interview Location:
Name
Major/Year
Res hall, Off campus, Commute
Samantha
Illustration - Sophomore
Off-Campus
1. Why KU? What makes it unique? Close to home. There’s a close knit student body. Lawrence. People stay close. 2. What is your favorite place(s) on-campus? Why? Kansas Union has all resources. 3. What is your favorite place(s) off-campus? Why? Granada on Mass Ave. 4. How often do you visit the Unions? When? a. Kansas? MWF b.
Burge? Never
5. Why do you go there? a. Kansas? To use the computers and salon. b.
Burge?
6. What do you like about them? Kansas Union’s seating and food options. The tunnel from Kansas Union to the Museum.
7. What should be changed? More semi-private spaces and printing resources.
1736 NORTH SECOND ST MILWAUKEE WI 53212 STUDIO 414.272.8822 FAX 414.272.8812 WWW.WORKSHOPARCHITECTS.COM
Interview Location:
Name
Major/Year
Res hall, Off campus, Commute
Anna
Psychology - Senior
Off-Campus
1. Why KU? What makes it unique? Close to home. Easy to get in. Basketball makes it unique. 2. What is your favorite place(s) on-campus? Why? Underground in Wescoe – outdoor seating, Chick-Fil-A is always busy. 3. What is your favorite place(s) off-campus? Why?
4. How often do you visit the Unions? When? a. Kansas? Maybe twice a week. b.
Burge? Maybe I’ve been there once or twice for appointments.
5. Why do you go there? a. Kansas? I never have to fight a crowd at the Union. b.
Burge?
6. What do you like about them? Hawks Nest 7. What should be changed? We need benches outside. Better outdoor spaces, especially when it’s nice out.
1736 NORTH SECOND ST MILWAUKEE WI 53212 STUDIO 414.272.8822 FAX 414.272.8812 WWW.WORKSHOPARCHITECTS.COM
8. How does their location impact their use? a. Kansas? It’s not convenient in between classes. b.
Burge?
9. In the future, it’s anticipated that the campus will grow to the west. How might this shift change how the unions are used?
10. Comment on: Food & Retail
Lounge & Study Areas
Watson is great for studying.
Student Group/Club Space
Meeting & Event Rooms
11. What’s one thing you would like to see in the Unions?
12. Any other thoughts? Wescoe is the general meeting space. I don’t like the stairs.
1736 NORTH SECOND ST MILWAUKEE WI 53212 STUDIO 414.272.8822 FAX 414.272.8812 WWW.WORKSHOPARCHITECTS.COM
Interview Location:
Name
Major/Year
Res hall, Off campus, Commute
Muhammad
Business Admin – First Year
Off-Campus
1. Why KU? What makes it unique? My major is here. Lawrence is easy to live in. Safe. Good cost. 2. What is your favorite place(s) on-campus? Why?
Kansas Union. I spend my free time here. Watson is a good place to study and do research.
3. What is your favorite place(s) off-campus? Why? Movie Theatre 4. How often do you visit the Unions? When? a. Kansas? Every day. b.
Burge? Never
5. Why do you go there? a. Kansas? To eat. It’s close to classes. b.
Burge?
6. What do you like about them? Hawks Nest 7. What should be changed? We need more activities. I came to KU because they advertised student life and activities, but it doesn’t seem that way.
1736 NORTH SECOND ST MILWAUKEE WI 53212 STUDIO 414.272.8822 FAX 414.272.8812 WWW.WORKSHOPARCHITECTS.COM
8. How does their location impact their use? a. Kansas?
b.
Burge?
9. In the future, it’s anticipated that the campus will grow to the west. How might this shift change how the unions are used?
10. Comment on: Food & Retail We need more variety in food. Lounge & Study Areas
Student Group/Club Space
Meeting & Event Rooms
11. What’s one thing you would like to see in the Unions? More support for International Students and ESL. 12. Any other thoughts? Went to Emporia to tour, but it was too small. Not enough facilities.
1736 NORTH SECOND ST MILWAUKEE WI 53212 STUDIO 414.272.8822 FAX 414.272.8812 WWW.WORKSHOPARCHITECTS.COM
Interview Location:
Name
Major/Year
Res hall, Off campus, Commute
Hannah
Strategic Communications
Gertrude Sellards Pearson
1. Why KU? What makes it unique? Grew up around the area – home is 45 minutes away. Campus is spread out, but feels close together. It’s nice to walk through. 2. What is your favorite place(s) on-campus? Why? The Union. 3. What is your favorite place(s) off-campus? Why? Pyramid Pizza is a great place to get food after a game. 4. How often do you visit the Unions? When? a. Kansas? At least twice a week (Tuesday/Thursday) b.
Burge? Only once for a sorority initiation.
5. Why do you go there? a. Kansas? Food at the Market, Pulse. b.
Burge?
6. What do you like about them? There are good places to sit. 7. What should be changed?
1736 NORTH SECOND ST MILWAUKEE WI 53212 STUDIO 414.272.8822 FAX 414.272.8812 WWW.WORKSHOPARCHITECTS.COM
8. How does their location impact their use? a. Kansas? The location is fine. It’s easy to get from if you park in the lot next door. b.
Burge? I wouldn’t go – it’s out of the way.
9. In the future, it’s anticipated that the campus will grow to the west. How might this shift change how the unions are used?
10. Comment on: Food & Retail
Lounge & Study Areas
Student Group/Club Space
Meeting & Event Rooms
11. What’s one thing you would like to see in the Unions? Needs technology and computers and better places to study. 12. Any other thoughts? Improve Wescoe. It’s a strange building with too many entrances.
1736 NORTH SECOND ST MILWAUKEE WI 53212 STUDIO 414.272.8822 FAX 414.272.8812 WWW.WORKSHOPARCHITECTS.COM
Interview Location:
Name
Major/Year
Res hall, Off campus, Commute
Ashley
Psychology – Junior
Off-Campus
1. Why KU? What makes it unique? I’m from Lawrence. It’s a pretty campus. You’re free to do your own thing. 2. What is your favorite place(s) on-campus? Why? Anschutz. Watson has great study nooks. 3. What is your favorite place(s) off-campus? Why? The apartments. Dillon’s on 6th has great hours. 4. How often do you visit the Unions? When? a. Kansas? Never. b.
Burge?
5. Why do you go there? a. Kansas? I would go there if the Union had more lounge nooks. b.
Burge?
6. What do you like about them?
7. What should be changed? There’s too much open space in the Union. It’s too loud or too quiet.
1736 NORTH SECOND ST MILWAUKEE WI 53212 STUDIO 414.272.8822 FAX 414.272.8812 WWW.WORKSHOPARCHITECTS.COM
8. How does their location impact their use? a. Kansas? All classes are close to Wescoe. Wescoe is always packed. b.
Burge?
9. In the future, it’s anticipated that the campus will grow to the west. How might this shift change how the unions are used?
10. Comment on: Food & Retail
Lounge & Study Areas
Student Group/Club Space
Meeting & Event Rooms
11. What’s one thing you would like to see in the Unions? Technology 12. Any other thoughts? If you’re involved in clubs it’s good, but others miss out.
1736 NORTH SECOND ST MILWAUKEE WI 53212 STUDIO 414.272.8822 FAX 414.272.8812 WWW.WORKSHOPARCHITECTS.COM
Interview Location:
Name
Major/Year
Res hall, Off campus, Commute
Alex
Physics – Grad
Off-Campus
Brett
Physics – Grad
Off-Campus
1. Why KU? What makes it unique? Financial Support. It’s small but diverse. Area of Study. Research Oriented. Basketball. The Hill – views are pretty. 2. What is your favorite place(s) on-campus? Why? Allen Field House is historic but modern. I always go to the Underground to eat. 3. What is your favorite place(s) off-campus? Why?
4. How often do you visit the Unions? When? a. Kansas? Maybe once a semester. b.
Burge? Never.
5. Why do you go there? a. Kansas? Food, Bookstore, Career Fairs. b.
Burge?
6. What do you like about them?
7. What should be changed? We need a place to nap. Better WiFi.
1736 NORTH SECOND ST MILWAUKEE WI 53212 STUDIO 414.272.8822 FAX 414.272.8812 WWW.WORKSHOPARCHITECTS.COM
8. How does their location impact their use? a. Kansas?
b.
Burge?
9. In the future, it’s anticipated that the campus will grow to the west. How might this shift change how the unions are used?
10. Comment on: Food & Retail
Lounge & Study Areas
Student Group/Club Space
Meeting & Event Rooms There’s a welcome event at Malott. And events in the Union Ballroom.
11. What’s one thing you would like to see in the Unions? A relaxed environment that’s more comfortable. A better coffee shop area. More group spaces. An area to adapt your own technology. 12. Any other thoughts?
1736 NORTH SECOND ST MILWAUKEE WI 53212 STUDIO 414.272.8822 FAX 414.272.8812 WWW.WORKSHOPARCHITECTS.COM
Interview Location:
Name
Major/Year
Res hall, Off campus, Commute
Kayla
Strategic Comm – Junior
Off-Campus
1. Why KU? What makes it unique? I came from California – Kansas was a good change. Great Journalism Program. Wholesome Spirit. Everyone who goes here loves it. Loyal, strong, and unified. 2. What is your favorite place(s) on-campus? Why? Wescoe. Third floor of Anschutz. The Studio in Hashinger. 3. What is your favorite place(s) off-campus? Why?
4. How often do you visit the Unions? When? a. Kansas? Almost Never. b.
Burge? Never. It’s for athletes.
5. Why do you go there? a. Kansas? I went there for orientation. It’s a great building. b.
Burge?
6. What do you like about them? Kansas Union: It has everything one needs, but is never used. 7. What should be changed?
1736 NORTH SECOND ST MILWAUKEE WI 53212 STUDIO 414.272.8822 FAX 414.272.8812 WWW.WORKSHOPARCHITECTS.COM
8. How does their location impact their use? a. Kansas? I would use it more if it were closer to campus. b.
Burge?
9. In the future, it’s anticipated that the campus will grow to the west. How might this shift change how the unions are used?
10. Comment on: Food & Retail
Lounge & Study Areas
Student Group/Club Space
Meeting & Event Rooms
11. What’s one thing you would like to see in the Unions?
12. Any other thoughts? Student groups always use Wescoe. KU is known as a research institute. There are resources all around campus that no one really knows about. Make things more accessible. Switch Wescoe and Kansas Union. Wescoe beach is the heart of campus. People always pass by.
1736 NORTH SECOND ST MILWAUKEE WI 53212 STUDIO 414.272.8822 FAX 414.272.8812 WWW.WORKSHOPARCHITECTS.COM
Interview Location: Main floor of Watson
Name
Major/Year
Res hall, Off campus, Commute
Sarah
History - Senior
Off-Campus
1. Why KU? What makes it unique? I’ve wanted to go here since I was six. Traditions. Sports. Progressive/Liberal. 2. What is your favorite place(s) on-campus? Why? Watson Library, First floor of the Union, and Potter Lake are good places to watch people. 3. What is your favorite place(s) off-campus? Why? Coffee shops on Mass. 4. How often do you visit the Unions? When? a. Kansas? Twice a week at lunch or in the early afternoon. b.
Burge? It’s too far away. There are no classes near Burge.
5. Why do you go there? a. Kansas? Homework, Coffee, Lunch b.
Burge? I went there once to get a free t-shirt.
6. What do you like about them? Kansas has more people, more interactions, and more people watching. 7. What should be changed? Burge needs more space. It’s full of offices.
1736 NORTH SECOND ST MILWAUKEE WI 53212 STUDIO 414.272.8822 FAX 414.272.8812 WWW.WORKSHOPARCHITECTS.COM
8. How does their location impact their use? a. Kansas?
b.
Burge? It’s too far from classes.
9. In the future, it’s anticipated that the campus will grow to the west. How might this shift change how the unions are used? Kansas would still be used. There’s lots to do there.
10. Comment on: Food & Retail
Lounge & Study Areas
Student Group/Club Space
Meeting & Event Rooms
11. What’s one thing you would like to see in the Unions? More technology. WiFi and Plug-ins. Group Space. Watson has one group study space with a white board and a computer you can’t use. 12. Any other thoughts?
1736 NORTH SECOND ST MILWAUKEE WI 53212 STUDIO 414.272.8822 FAX 414.272.8812 WWW.WORKSHOPARCHITECTS.COM
Interview Location: Wescoe Beach
Name
Major/Year
Maggie
Journalism and Spanish – Alum. Graduated in May
Res hall, Off campus, Commute
1. Why KU? What makes it unique? My husband and I are both third generation Jayhawks. Tradition. KU Sports fan. 2. What is your favorite place(s) on-campus? Why? Top of the Oread. Behind Wescoe. Kaio Fountain. Danforth Chapel. 3. What is your favorite place(s) off-campus? Why? Coffee Shops. A dam where you can watch the sunset and stargaze. 4. How often do you visit the Unions? When? a. Kansas?
b.
Burge? A lot. I was an athlete.
5. Why do you go there? a. Kansas?
b.
Burge? Pulse before class for homework and coffee. Young life meeting rooms.
6. What do you like about them?
7. What should be changed?
1736 NORTH SECOND ST MILWAUKEE WI 53212 STUDIO 414.272.8822 FAX 414.272.8812 WWW.WORKSHOPARCHITECTS.COM
8. How does their location impact their use? a. Kansas? Kansas is harder to access because you have to pay for parking. Driving and parking is inconvenient and expensive. b.
Burge?
9. In the future, it’s anticipated that the campus will grow to the west. How might this shift change how the unions are used? It would have a big effect. If the Union was in the central part of campus it would be used way more… or even closer to the dorms. 10. Comment on: Food & Retail
Lounge & Study Areas
Student Group/Club Space
Meeting & Event Rooms Both have great meeting spaces. They’re flexible. Sometimes it’s hard to get one and you can’t bring your own food. 11. What’s one thing you would like to see in the Unions? Food draws students. Study Space. Coffee. 12. Any other thoughts? We host events off campus for parking, food, and consistency. At lunch, the lines in the Underground are ridiculous. It’s horrible to go in, but it’s the most convenient spot. It’s too small. The Union has more space – they should be flipped!
1736 NORTH SECOND ST MILWAUKEE WI 53212 STUDIO 414.272.8822 FAX 414.272.8812 WWW.WORKSHOPARCHITECTS.COM
Interview Location: Underground
Name
Major/Year
Jonathan
English – PhD Program
Res hall, Off campus, Commute
1. Why KU? What makes it unique? I was accepted into the PhD program. There’s a mix of old and new architecture. The architecture supports the history and heritage. 2. What is your favorite place(s) on-campus? Why? Wescoe. My office is here. It’s close to the library. It’s in a centralized location once you get up the hill. It’s ugly but convenient. 3. What is your favorite place(s) off-campus? Why? Mass Street is unique to KU. 4. How often do you visit the Unions? When? a. Kansas? Not very often. I can find cheaper books online. b.
Burge?
5. Why do you go there? a. Kansas? I got my ID there. b.
Burge?
6. What do you like about them?
7. What should be changed? Services are tailored to undergrads.
1736 NORTH SECOND ST MILWAUKEE WI 53212 STUDIO 414.272.8822 FAX 414.272.8812 WWW.WORKSHOPARCHITECTS.COM
8. How does their location impact their use? a. Kansas? There’s nothing at the Union that I can’t get closer. There’s a lot going west, but not on the other side of the library. b.
Burge? It’s far away. I don’t have a need to go.
9. In the future, it’s anticipated that the campus will grow to the west. How might this shift change how the unions are used?
10. Comment on: Food & Retail
Lounge & Study Areas
Student Group/Club Space
Meeting & Event Rooms
11. What’s one thing you would like to see in the Unions? Signs?! I had no idea it was even there, honestly. 12. Any other thoughts? It’s assumed that people know where things are.
1736 NORTH SECOND ST MILWAUKEE WI 53212 STUDIO 414.272.8822 FAX 414.272.8812 WWW.WORKSHOPARCHITECTS.COM
Interview Location: Main floor of Anschutz (charging station)
Name
Major/Year
Res hall, Off campus, Commute
Kaimeans
Human Bio – Freshman
Off-Campus
1. Why KU? What makes it unique? Mom worked for KU med. Always had a love for KU. 2. What is your favorite place(s) on-campus? Why? Union. Wescoe. Anschutz is large and open with tables, outlets, and a café. 3. What is your favorite place(s) off-campus? Why? 31st Street 4. How often do you visit the Unions? When? a. Kansas? 2-3 times a week around lunch. b.
Burge?
5. Why do you go there? a. Kansas? Food. Sit and wait for class. b.
Burge?
6. What do you like about them? The atmosphere and food. 7. What should be changed? The 4th floor layout is an awkward corridor. It could be more homey.
1736 NORTH SECOND ST MILWAUKEE WI 53212 STUDIO 414.272.8822 FAX 414.272.8812 WWW.WORKSHOPARCHITECTS.COM
8. How does their location impact their use? a. Kansas?
b.
Burge? It’s a long walk or you have to wait for a bus.
9. In the future, it’s anticipated that the campus will grow to the west. How might this shift change how the unions are used? People would still go to the Union to convene and lounge. A few minutes extra walk wouldn’t change things.
10. Comment on: Food & Retail I want more restaurants. BBQ. I’m not sure if there are stores in Burge. I want a place to run errands and get things done without leaving campus. Lounge & Study Areas Lounges with recliners would bring more attention to the Union. Student Group/Club Space
Meeting & Event Rooms
11. What’s one thing you would like to see in the Unions? Charging stations would benefit the union. Technology and TVs. Computers are hard to find at the library. Quiet, individual workstations. 12. Any other thoughts?
1736 NORTH SECOND ST MILWAUKEE WI 53212 STUDIO 414.272.8822 FAX 414.272.8812 WWW.WORKSHOPARCHITECTS.COM
Interview Location: Plaza outside Kansas Union
Name
Major/Year
Res hall, Off campus, Commute
Jeremy
Linguistics Anthropology - Grad
Off-Campus
(undergrad at Univ of Wyoming) 1. Why KU? What makes it unique? Town. Funding. 2. What is your favorite place(s) on-campus? Why? Both libraries are nice. They’re different. There are weird submarine stacks in Watson. The Union is comfortable. There are places to hide. 3. What is your favorite place(s) off-campus? Why? Coffee shops like Henrys on 8th. 4. How often do you visit the Unions? When? a. Kansas?
b.
Burge? Never been.
5. Why do you go there? a. Kansas?
b.
Burge?
6. What do you like about them? It has both open public spaces and nooks and crannies. 7. What should be changed? We need alternate places to get food and snacks.
1736 NORTH SECOND ST MILWAUKEE WI 53212 STUDIO 414.272.8822 FAX 414.272.8812 WWW.WORKSHOPARCHITECTS.COM
8. How does their location impact their use? a. Kansas?
b.
Burge?
9. In the future, it’s anticipated that the campus will grow to the west. How might this shift change how the unions are used?
10. Comment on: Food & Retail Wyoming’s Union has interspersed food, lounges, restaurants, and bar areas. Not one food court. Lounge & Study Areas
Student Group/Club Space
Meeting & Event Rooms
11. What’s one thing you would like to see in the Unions? We need more options – to be able to ask “where in the Union?” when someone wants to meet at the Union. 12. Any other thoughts?
1736 NORTH SECOND ST MILWAUKEE WI 53212 STUDIO 414.272.8822 FAX 414.272.8812 WWW.WORKSHOPARCHITECTS.COM
Interview Location: Porch of Douthart Hall
Name
Major/Year
Res hall, Off campus, Commute
Madison
Psychology – Senior
Schol Halls (Douthart)
1. Why KU? What makes it unique? It’s close to home. Nature. Campus is pretty from the outside, but inside it’s white walls and crappy desks. 2. What is your favorite place(s) on-campus? Why? Campenili. My hall and the view from this porch. 3. What is your favorite place(s) off-campus? Why? Mass Street 4. How often do you visit the Unions? When? a. Kansas? This is the Main Union. b.
Burge? Once.
5. Why do you go there? a. Kansas? To buy books. Fairs. b.
Burge?
6. What do you like about them?
7. What should be changed? More activities and fairs in the middle of the year.
1736 NORTH SECOND ST MILWAUKEE WI 53212 STUDIO 414.272.8822 FAX 414.272.8812 WWW.WORKSHOPARCHITECTS.COM
8. How does their location impact their use? a. Kansas?
b.
Burge? That’s the reason I’ve only been there once.
9. In the future, it’s anticipated that the campus will grow to the west. How might this shift change how the unions are used? It would be bad for Schol Halls if the center of campus were further west. 10. Comment on: Food & Retail
Lounge & Study Areas I study in Watson or at home.
Student Group/Club Space
Meeting & Event Rooms
11. What’s one thing you would like to see in the Unions?
12. Any other thoughts? Jayhawk Boulevard is the hub. It’s where you see everyone. Schol Halls: Community living with shifts and chores. All girls. You apply once and if nothing goes horribly wrong you keep living there.
1736 NORTH SECOND ST MILWAUKEE WI 53212 STUDIO 414.272.8822 FAX 414.272.8812 WWW.WORKSHOPARCHITECTS.COM
Interview Location: Pulse in Burge
Name
Major/Year
Res hall, Off campus, Commute
Jeff
Law – Sophomore
Off-Campus
1. Why KU? What makes it unique? Got a law scholarship. First impression of campus was that it was messy. Campus was under construction and then a pipe exploded in Watson. Inconvenient. 2. What is your favorite place(s) on-campus? Why? History Museum and both libraries. Engineering Complex is spacious and has computers, printers, and quiet study areas. 3. What is your favorite place(s) off-campus? Why? Bars and Coffee on Mass 4. How often do you visit the Unions? When? a. Kansas? To fix my computer once. b.
Burge? A lot at lunch
5. Why do you go there? a. Kansas?
b.
Burge? Coffee. Burge is not so quiet.
6. What do you like about them?
7. What should be changed? More space.
1736 NORTH SECOND ST MILWAUKEE WI 53212 STUDIO 414.272.8822 FAX 414.272.8812 WWW.WORKSHOPARCHITECTS.COM
8. How does their location impact their use? a. Kansas?
b.
Burge? Location is most important. It’s across the street from the Law School.
9. In the future, it’s anticipated that the campus will grow to the west. How might this shift change how the unions are used?
10. Comment on: Food & Retail Burge should have more food choices like the Kansas Union. They separate bookstores by field. Law students go to Burge. Lounge & Study Areas
Student Group/Club Space
Meeting & Event Rooms
11. What’s one thing you would like to see in the Unions?
12. Any other thoughts? Why would you want more students to come to Burge?
1736 NORTH SECOND ST MILWAUKEE WI 53212 STUDIO 414.272.8822 FAX 414.272.8812 WWW.WORKSHOPARCHITECTS.COM
Interview Location: Music/Theatre Building
Name
Major/Year
Res hall, Off campus, Commute
Alice
Theatre – Grad
Off-Campus
(undergrad at University of Southern Maine) 1. Why KU? What makes it unique? Money. It’s large compared to USM. 2. What is your favorite place(s) on-campus? Why? There’s a building with a glass entry at the end of Jayhawk. The theatre building. I just bus from there to home. 3. What is your favorite place(s) off-campus? Why?
4. How often do you visit the Unions? When? a. Kansas? Once. b.
Burge? Once.
5. Why do you go there? a. Kansas? For ID b.
Burge? to pick up a book
6. What do you like about them?
7. What should be changed? Advertise activities and services online or on the bus. Buses are full in the afternoon.
1736 NORTH SECOND ST MILWAUKEE WI 53212 STUDIO 414.272.8822 FAX 414.272.8812 WWW.WORKSHOPARCHITECTS.COM
8. How does their location impact their use? a. Kansas?
b.
Burge? I have knee problems, so walking it hard. I rely on the bus.
9. In the future, it’s anticipated that the campus will grow to the west. How might this shift change how the unions are used?
10. Comment on: Food & Retail
Lounge & Study Areas
Student Group/Club Space
Meeting & Event Rooms
11. What’s one thing you would like to see in the Unions? USM had a student center with a weekly art gathering and sale open to the community. There was local food and a farmers market. 12. Any other thoughts?
1736 NORTH SECOND ST MILWAUKEE WI 53212 STUDIO 414.272.8822 FAX 414.272.8812 WWW.WORKSHOPARCHITECTS.COM
Interview Location: Under a tree on the Quad
Name
Major/Year
Res hall, Off campus, Commute
Heath
Counseling Psych – PhD
Off-Campus
(undergrad at Iowa State) 1. Why KU? What makes it unique? Professors. Research. Location. Economics. The campus wasn’t a selling point because I took a tour in February, but it is hilly, beautiful, high-up, and taken care of. 2. What is your favorite place(s) on-campus? Why? I don’t spend a lot of time on campus. Watson. JR Pearson. 3. What is your favorite place(s) off-campus? Why?
4. How often do you visit the Unions? When? a. Kansas?
b.
Burge?
5. Why do you go there? a. Kansas? Sometimes I use the piano. b.
Burge? I don’t hear people talking about it. The overall image is that’s it’s small. There’s not that much to do.
6. What do you like about them? Kansas: Piano, studio, space, available tables, outlets, cheap coffee, hours, central location
7. What should be changed?
1736 NORTH SECOND ST MILWAUKEE WI 53212 STUDIO 414.272.8822 FAX 414.272.8812 WWW.WORKSHOPARCHITECTS.COM
8. How does their location impact their use? a. Kansas?
b.
Burge?
9. In the future, it’s anticipated that the campus will grow to the west. How might this shift change how the unions are used? It would be tough to create a new central quad or union atmosphere without marketing the new space as study space. 10. Comment on: Food & Retail
Lounge & Study Areas Now there’s the Kansas Union and 2 libraries.
Student Group/Club Space
Meeting & Event Rooms
11. What’s one thing you would like to see in the Unions? A music venue. A place to host speakers. Iowa State’s Amshop had bands at the Union. You could order a beer. Student activities programmed the Vagina Monologues. 12. Any other thoughts?
1736 NORTH SECOND ST MILWAUKEE WI 53212 STUDIO 414.272.8822 FAX 414.272.8812 WWW.WORKSHOPARCHITECTS.COM
Interview Location: 4th floor of the Union. “Tea at 3”
Name
Major/Year
Res hall, Off campus, Commute
Justin
Global and Int’l Studies - Senior
Off-Campus
1. Why KU? What makes it unique? I’m from Lawrence. It’s close. Family. KU fan. 2. What is your favorite place(s) on-campus? Why? Hang out with friends at Potter Lake and Wescoe Beach 3. What is your favorite place(s) off-campus? Why? Clinton Lake and Mass. 4. How often do you visit the Unions? When? a. Kansas? Usually 2-3 times a week, but I’m taking the semester off so 2-3 times this semester. b.
Burge? More often. Once a week for meetings at random times.
5. Why do you go there? a. Kansas?
b.
Burge?
6. What do you like about them? Kansas: 4th floor common space. It should expand to other floors and to Burge. 7. What should be changed?
1736 NORTH SECOND ST MILWAUKEE WI 53212 STUDIO 414.272.8822 FAX 414.272.8812 WWW.WORKSHOPARCHITECTS.COM
8. How does their location impact their use? a. Kansas? One on each end. Good locations. b.
Burge?
9. In the future, it’s anticipated that the campus will grow to the west. How might this shift change how the unions are used? Classes are over here, so people would still use Kansas Union. 10. Comment on: Food & Retail
Lounge & Study Areas
Student Group/Club Space
Meeting & Event Rooms There are nice meeting rooms in Burge, but it’s older.
11. What’s one thing you would like to see in the Unions? Quiet, individual workstations with plugs. 12. Any other thoughts? Technology is sufficient.
1736 NORTH SECOND ST MILWAUKEE WI 53212 STUDIO 414.272.8822 FAX 414.272.8812 WWW.WORKSHOPARCHITECTS.COM
Interview Location: 3rd floor of the Union – Market Dining
Name
Major/Year
Res hall, Off campus, Commute
Susie
Atmospheric Science - Junior
Off-Campus
1. Why KU? What makes it unique? Only school with this major in the state. The architecture (Red roofs) and landscaping. 2. What is your favorite place(s) on-campus? Why? Potter Lake. Walkways behind strong. 3. What is your favorite place(s) off-campus? Why? Mass: Shops, coffee, study space. 4. How often do you visit the Unions? When? a. Kansas? 1-2 times a week. b.
Burge? Never.
5. Why do you go there? a. Kansas? Food and Studying b.
Burge?
6. What do you like about them? Jaybowl. I go once a week. 7. What should be changed?
1736 NORTH SECOND ST MILWAUKEE WI 53212 STUDIO 414.272.8822 FAX 414.272.8812 WWW.WORKSHOPARCHITECTS.COM
8. How does their location impact their use? a. Kansas?
b.
Burge? It’s not near courses so I don’t go there.
9. In the future, it’s anticipated that the campus will grow to the west. How might this shift change how the unions are used?
10. Comment on: Food & Retail We need more food choices. Lounge & Study Areas Anshutz is good enough for group study. The Union is for individual study. Student Group/Club Space
Meeting & Event Rooms I only go to AMS (meteorological society) events. 11. What’s one thing you would like to see in the Unions? Computer Lab. 12. Any other thoughts?
1736 NORTH SECOND ST MILWAUKEE WI 53212 STUDIO 414.272.8822 FAX 414.272.8812 WWW.WORKSHOPARCHITECTS.COM
Interview Location: Main floor of Watson
Name
Major/Year
Res hall, Off campus, Commute
Skyler
Women, Gender, & Sexuality Studies - Sophomore
Off-Campus
1. Why KU? What makes it unique? Came here for a high school jazz band competition. I dig the campus and the city. Only a few schools have this program/department. 2. What is your favorite place(s) on-campus? Why?
Underground is near classes. Both libraries. Books are kind of my thing. You can actually talk! There are both group and individual study spaces.
3. What is your favorite place(s) off-campus? Why? Friends’ houses. Java Break and Perkins. Coffee and 24/7 hours. 4. How often do you visit the Unions? When? a. Kansas? Not typically. b.
Burge?
5. Why do you go there? a. Kansas? I don’t use the unions very much. I don’t know what’s in there. b.
Burge?
6. What do you like about them?
7. What should be changed? There are only eating tables. It’s hard to navigate inside.
1736 NORTH SECOND ST MILWAUKEE WI 53212 STUDIO 414.272.8822 FAX 414.272.8812 WWW.WORKSHOPARCHITECTS.COM
8. How does their location impact their use? a. Kansas?
b.
Burge? It’s not near classes – Location is huge.
9. In the future, it’s anticipated that the campus will grow to the west. How might this shift change how the unions are used?
10. Comment on: Food & Retail
Lounge & Study Areas
Student Group/Club Space
Meeting & Event Rooms
11. What’s one thing you would like to see in the Unions? Space to study with groups. Big study tables. Gender-neutral bathrooms. Lost and Found. 12. Any other thoughts? Prime location is Wescoe. It’s always packed. It’s not that ugly – don’t tear it down, just redo a floor.
1736 NORTH SECOND ST MILWAUKEE WI 53212 STUDIO 414.272.8822 FAX 414.272.8812 WWW.WORKSHOPARCHITECTS.COM
Interview Location: Underground
Name
Major/Year
Michael
East European Studies – First year of Grad School
Res hall, Off campus, Commute
1. Why KU? What makes it unique? Heard about it from an alum. Diverse faculty and course offerings. Campus is nice. 2. What is your favorite place(s) on-campus? Why? Underground for breakfast. Watson is quiet – study in the basement. 3. What is your favorite place(s) off-campus? Why? Trivia sports bar on Yale. Wednesday night trivia. 4. How often do you visit the Unions? When? a. Kansas? Every now and then. b.
Burge? Never.
5. Why do you go there? a. Kansas? Work/School related services. Sometimes food. b.
Burge?
6. What do you like about them?
7. What should be changed? Free food.
1736 NORTH SECOND ST MILWAUKEE WI 53212 STUDIO 414.272.8822 FAX 414.272.8812 WWW.WORKSHOPARCHITECTS.COM
8. How does their location impact their use? a. Kansas? Location is not that important. It’s a 2 minute walk to the Union. b.
Burge?
9. In the future, it’s anticipated that the campus will grow to the west. How might this shift change how the unions are used?
10. Comment on: Food & Retail
Lounge & Study Areas
Student Group/Club Space
Meeting & Event Rooms
11. What’s one thing you would like to see in the Unions? Free food. 12. Any other thoughts?
1736 NORTH SECOND ST MILWAUKEE WI 53212 STUDIO 414.272.8822 FAX 414.272.8812 WWW.WORKSHOPARCHITECTS.COM
Interview Location: Pulse in Burge
Name
Major/Year
Res hall, Off campus, Commute
Emma
Nursing – Sophomore
Off-Campus
1. Why KU? What makes it unique? It’s pretty. Different landscape. 2. What is your favorite place(s) on-campus? Why?
Burge (Pulse) is hidden. It has printers and everything you need. Kansas Union
3. What is your favorite place(s) off-campus? Why? Mass is the classic answer. I live at the Connection. 4. How often do you visit the Unions? When? a. Kansas?
b.
Burge?
5. Why do you go there? a. Kansas?
b.
Burge?
6. What do you like about them? The bookstore. Food. 7. What should be changed?
1736 NORTH SECOND ST MILWAUKEE WI 53212 STUDIO 414.272.8822 FAX 414.272.8812 WWW.WORKSHOPARCHITECTS.COM
8. How does their location impact their use? a. Kansas? The function of the current Union is good, just in the wrong location. The hill is a deterrent. There’s nothing by the Union – it’s the end of the hill. b.
Burge?
9. In the future, it’s anticipated that the campus will grow to the west. How might this shift change how the unions are used?
10. Comment on: Food & Retail
Lounge & Study Areas
Student Group/Club Space
Meeting & Event Rooms
11. What’s one thing you would like to see in the Unions?
12. Any other thoughts? The prime location is Budig, even from the dorms. I lived in Oliver last year. The walk is a pain, but Budig would be better.
1736 NORTH SECOND ST MILWAUKEE WI 53212 STUDIO 414.272.8822 FAX 414.272.8812 WWW.WORKSHOPARCHITECTS.COM
Interview Location: Bench in Engineering Building
Name
Major/Year
Res hall, Off campus, Commute
Stephanie
Arch Engineering – First Year
Hashinger
1. Why KU? What makes it unique? An excellent program. I’m from St. Louis and the only other program near was my brother’s school and that wasn’t a good fit. KU was a good fit. 2. What is your favorite place(s) on-campus? Why? Hash. I like the people and eating at the Studio. 3. What is your favorite place(s) off-campus? Why? I prefer to hang out on campus. 4. How often do you visit the Unions? When? a. Kansas? Occasionally. b.
Burge? Never.
5. Why do you go there? a. Kansas? Commerce Bank. b.
Burge? I’m not sure what it has to offer.
6. What do you like about them?
7. What should be changed?
1736 NORTH SECOND ST MILWAUKEE WI 53212 STUDIO 414.272.8822 FAX 414.272.8812 WWW.WORKSHOPARCHITECTS.COM
8. How does their location impact their use? a. Kansas?
b.
Burge? Burge is closer but not as popular.
9. In the future, it’s anticipated that the campus will grow to the west. How might this shift change how the unions are used?
10. Comment on: Food & Retail
Lounge & Study Areas
Student Group/Club Space
Meeting & Event Rooms
11. What’s one thing you would like to see in the Unions? Food places. Bank. You could draw people to Burge with main events like the Union. Advertise with signs and emails. 12. Any other thoughts? Strong Hall is the center. Everyone has classes on Jayhawk Boulevard so it would be easier to stop in.
1736 NORTH SECOND ST MILWAUKEE WI 53212 STUDIO 414.272.8822 FAX 414.272.8812 WWW.WORKSHOPARCHITECTS.COM
Interview Location: Anschutz
Name Esther
Major/Year Nursing – Junior
Res hall, Off campus, Commute Off-Campus
Nicole
Psychology – Junior
Off-Campus
Shawn
Finance/Business – Senior
Off-Campus
1. Why KU? What makes it unique? N: Legacy. Family school. Fell in love with the Campus. S: The music scene is awesome. 2. What is your favorite place(s) on-campus? Why? E: Secret Garden by the Library N: Libraries. Watson is quiet. Campenile S: Malott lookout areas on the 9th floor 3. What is your favorite place(s) off-campus? Why? E: Dog Park N: Clinton Lake 4. How often do you visit the Unions? When? a. Kansas? E: Occasionally b.
Burge? None of them have been and they don’t know where it is.
5. Why do you go there? a. Kansas? N: Poster Sales. Free Stuff. b.
Burge?
6. What do you like about them?
7. What should be changed?
1736 NORTH SECOND ST MILWAUKEE WI 53212 STUDIO 414.272.8822 FAX 414.272.8812 WWW.WORKSHOPARCHITECTS.COM
8. How does their location impact their use? a. Kansas? S: You pretty much have to go by the Union on the way to class. Buses go there. Buses don’t go to Burge. b.
Burge? S: There’s no way people will go there. It’s out of the way.
9. In the future, it’s anticipated that the campus will grow to the west. How might this shift change how the unions are used?
10. Comment on: Food & Retail
Lounge & Study Areas
Student Group/Club Space
Meeting & Event Rooms
11. What’s one thing you would like to see in the Unions? S: Movie Room. Music/Jam room. There’s no place for musicians to come together. E: The Union has a lot of great things, actually.
12. Any other thoughts? Prime location? Consensus: Wescoe Beach! When it’s warm people are always there.
1736 NORTH SECOND ST MILWAUKEE WI 53212 STUDIO 414.272.8822 FAX 414.272.8812 WWW.WORKSHOPARCHITECTS.COM
Interview Location: Underground
Name
Major/Year
Res hall, Off campus, Commute
Brady
Comp Engineering - Freshman
Gertrude Sellards Pearson
1. Why KU? What makes it unique? Cheapest University. I like Lawrence – college town feel. 2. What is your favorite place(s) on-campus? Why?
Underground has places to eat. It’s in the middle of campus. Accessible. Union.
3. What is your favorite place(s) off-campus? Why? Granada for Concerts. Mass in general. 4. How often do you visit the Unions? When? a. Kansas?
b.
Burge? Never been
5. Why do you go there? a. Kansas? It has more activities, like Bowling. b.
Burge?
6. What do you like about them? Good access to technology. WiFi. 7. What should be changed? Add study space, food, and TVs to Burge.
1736 NORTH SECOND ST MILWAUKEE WI 53212 STUDIO 414.272.8822 FAX 414.272.8812 WWW.WORKSHOPARCHITECTS.COM
8. How does their location impact their use? a. Kansas? It’s not a prime location. b.
Burge? No classes there. Only athletics.
9. In the future, it’s anticipated that the campus will grow to the west. How might this shift change how the unions are used?
10. Comment on: Food & Retail
Lounge & Study Areas
Student Group/Club Space
Meeting & Event Rooms
11. What’s one thing you would like to see in the Unions? A puppy room at finals to relieve street. I saw it on Reddit. 12. Any other thoughts? Prime location is Jayhawk Boulevard. Wescoe. There’s a lot of foot traffic.
1736 NORTH SECOND ST MILWAUKEE WI 53212 STUDIO 414.272.8822 FAX 414.272.8812 WWW.WORKSHOPARCHITECTS.COM
Visit #2 December 7, 2013
13-186 KU Memorial Unions Strategic Planning University of Kansas, Lawrence, KS
Opportunity Exploration Workshop Date:
Saturday, December 7, 2013
Time:
9:00 AM – 3:00 PM
Location:
Kansas Union
Invited Attendees:
Kansas Unions Board of Trustees Other invited guests
Purpose:
Review research findings. Discuss Campus Master Plan integration strategy. Explore opportunities to reinvigorate the Kansas Union. Discuss strategies to achieve vision.
Agenda: 9:00 – 9:15
Welcome and introductions
9:15 – 11:00
Research findings overview Themes Foodservice Competitive Context – Benchmarking Overview Benchmarking Tour
11:00 -12:00
Campus master plan integration strategy Future role of each Kansas Unions facility
12:00 – 12:30
Break/lunch
12:30 – 2:45
Focus on Kansas Union Opportunities Process introduction (15 min.) Small-group work session (60 min.) Sub-group report-out (60 min.)
2:45 – 3:00
Wrap-up/next steps
1736 NORTH SECOND ST MILWAUKEE WI 53212 STUDIO 414.272.8822 FAX 414.272.8812 WWW.WORKSHOPARCHITECTS.COM
2.1
Steering Committee Meeting
Saturday, December 7, 2013 Kansas Union Ball Room 8:00am – 1:00 pm Attendees: Christy Kamphilay, SUA Vice President of Alumni and Community Camden Bender, SUA President Thomas Plummer, Chair and Board President David Mucci, Unions Director Marcus Tetwiler, Student body Ben Eggleston, Faculty Leah Reichert, Union Mackenzie Oatman, Student body Kaitlin DeJong, Student Alecia Stultz, KU Dining Katrina Yoakum, KU Staff, comptroller. Jan van den Kieboom, Workshop Architects Peter van den Kieboom, Workshop Architects Scott Ackatz, Workshop Architects
Agenda: Research findings overview o Themes o Foodservice o Competitive Context – Benchmarking Overview o Benchmarking Tour Campus master plan integration strategy o Future role of each Kansas Unions facility Thesis Focus on Kansas Union Opportunities o Process introduction o Small-group work session o Sub-group report-out
Notes: Thesis Presentation: o The Kansas Union can become a destination; the anchor of campus student life. When this is accomplished, the perceived distance from Wescoe Beach will no longer be an issue. Is it worth pursuing a renovated Kansas Union in lieu of building a brand new facility, central to campus? Facilities that KU students and staff toured, Wisconsin's Union South and NC State's Hunt Library, were successful periphery buildings. Conclusion: o Exploring a renovation/expansion of the existing Kansas Union is worth while given that way finding and increased connectivity between areas can be solved.
University of Kansas (KU) Memorial Unions Strategic Planning 13-186 Workshop Architects
Selected Presentation Slides:
University of Kansas (KU) Memorial Unions Strategic Planning 13-186 Workshop Architects
University of Kansas (KU) Memorial Unions Strategic Planning 13-186 Workshop Architects
University of Kansas (KU) Memorial Unions Strategic Planning 13-186 Workshop Architects
University of Kansas (KU) Memorial Unions Strategic Planning 13-186 Workshop Architects
University of Kansas (KU) Memorial Unions Strategic Planning 13-186 Workshop Architects
University of Kansas (KU) Memorial Unions Strategic Planning 13-186 Workshop Architects
University of Kansas (KU) Memorial Unions Strategic Planning 13-186 Workshop Architects
Opportunities Workshop: Three small groups were formed to discuss the opportunities in the Kansas Union as presented in the Thesis statement. Groups worked with stacking models to explore existing and new spatial relationships within the existing building and new expansions.
Outcomes: Feedback was framed into two categories; Big picture and priorities. Group 1 Big Picture Expand the building to the north west Dining should stay on third floor with physical openings in floor and ceiling. Add Micro destination quality restaurants. Add a multi level restaurant/club. Create a Coffee House/Winter Garden addition, thickly programmed with an open lounge and fireplace. Relocate the Ballroom to a new addition over parking structure. Create a balcony in Woodruff Extend roof decks Priorities Expand social and student organization space
University of Kansas (KU) Memorial Unions Strategic Planning 13-186 Workshop Architects
Group 2 Big Picture Winter Garden Expand building on the north west corner. Open up fourth floor Draw students between 6-10pm. Meeting space remains on floors 5 & 6, but becomes more flexible. Priorities Repurpose Jaybowl Enhance vertical space. Re-think level 3 dining, the organization of physical space. Re-think parking and transit Create a flexible programming space.
Group 3 Big Picture Create a stronger connection between MRC and the rest of the Union Have 2 connection points to the garage. Build out west of MRC on lower 4 levels. Create a club with campus views on level 1. Open and connect 4th floor entry with a big fire place Priorities Run power and data throughout dining areas Incorporate a Coffee House off the plaza Kill Jay bowl and add a restaurant and club. Include a Liberty-Hall-eque Bar/Pub.
University of Kansas (KU) Memorial Unions Strategic Planning 13-186 Workshop Architects