Community feedback
Feedback from the web site
Submitted Nov. 12, 2007:
I really feel that a lot of progress can be made in the recruiting of talented students out of state. as an AIA volunteer I have represented Wake Forest at a few college fairs and there is high interest in the reputation of the school!
Sustainability should underpin the master plan. A couple of things:
- Support community greenways/bike paths, particularly along Silas Creek, so that more people can commute by walking or bikes.
- Make sure all new construction meets LEED certification standards.
- Buy as much food as possible from local farmers. WFU might even approach Golden Leaf Foundation to develop a "buy local" model that would increase small farm income in the upper Piedmont.
Please consider the homeowners who surround the campus as part of the Wake Forest family and give careful thought to the impacts of traffic and lack of sidewalks on the surrounding streets. With the students and residents walking everywhere, there are significant safety concerns. It would be helpful if University traffic was encouraged to use the streets within the campus (i.e. the maintenance staff drive through campus instead of coming through Faculty Drive). Sidewalks on all of the surrounding neighborhood streets would greatly ease concerns about speeding vehicles.
The university should be much more committed to environmentally-friendly, campus-wide behavior. Some examples: more stringent recycling requirements; use of energy-saving light bulbs when possible; and certainly different university vehicles AND vehicle behavior.
For example, facilities trucks and police cars, when stopped for short to medium length business, are usually -- nearly always -- left on, idling and wasting untold gallons of gasoline. The university could and should use more gas-efficient vehicles and consider switching to hybrids whenever possible.
Thank you.
Submitted Oct. 29, 2007:
We have precious little green space on campus. I propose that the land between the campus and Reynolda Gardens be preserved and serve as a living Arboretum highlighting the natural plants of North Carolina. This area has received very little attention of late and it is a jewel that must be preserved (green).
Thanks for the opportunity for input.
Submitted Oct. 14, 2007:
One of the ongoing issues with the campus is that of parking vs. a more pedestrian oriented campus. The lack of walkable or bikable retail on or near campus is the problem. Reynolda Village is quaint, but those few stores don't really cater to students at at all. Given the current suburbanized campus plan, you really do need a car to get by. I hope the university uses this opportunity to study the possibility of developing student oriented retail on its peripheral land holdings that can make a more pedestrian campus a reality.
-Grant Montgomery, Class of 1997.
I would like to see Wake Forest make strides in integrating issues of environmental sustainability into both educational and practical aspects of our future. This might include campus buildings and purchasing policies as well as course offerings and requirements, which could all be tailored to include a greater awareness and recognition of our environmental footprint not only on our local community but the wider world. As an institution that values learning, service, and inquiry, it seems imperative to envision a future Wake Forest that considers the broader implications of our practices. As a prestigious and conscientious educational institution, we should consider how even minor decisions we make "what paper to consume, what to drive (four wheels or two), when to use air conditioning, and more" have a reverberating effect beyond our own lives. I would like to see the master plan put into place the necessary institutional structures (buildings, committees, coordinators) to support a real look at issues of sustainability.
Submitted Oct. 21, 2007:
Please consider delivery trucks and garbage containers in the entire plan. The primary access to Manchester Hall is on the circle between Reynolda Hall and Reynold's Gym. On warm days the smell of garbage is quite unpleasant. Most days the delivery trucks are parked all over the place (very poor design of a loading dock).
When we have visitors to our department, our first impression is unforgettable.
Submitted Oct. 20, 2007:
(1) When there are major university functions on campus, many times parking locations are blocked off, Davis Field used, etc. No one usually knows this until they arrive on campus to find parking limited, traffic backed up, etc. If there was a way to incorporate more information to the already used online master calendar (where parking will be affected, traffic high, etc.), those of us who have guests to campus on a daily basis, would be able to notify our guests where they should park.
(2) Also, when these big events are held (admissions open house days, board meetings, etc.), many folks arrive without any documentation that they were sent. They wander into Reynolda Hall trying to find out where they need to be. Most of us try to help these lost souls. However, there are many times that you call an office who is hosting an event and only get voice mail because all staff are at the event! Thus no info can be found of where these guests need to be. There needs to be some sort of information entered with the general listing on the calendar that provides locations of events, etc.
Submitted Oct. 17, 2007:
It would be wonderful if WFU could be a leader in sustainable or "green" buildings. Environmental issues are a primary concern for citizens of the planet. Could we consider requiring any new construction to be non-toxic and environmentally friendly as certified by the U.S. Green Building Council?
Submitted Oct. 16, 2007:
I suggest that a traffic light be constructed at the intersection of University Parkway and the entrance of the school. It is a dangerous left-turn, especially during athletic events or times of high traffic.
Submitted Oct. 13, 2007:
I am thankful that Wake Forest provides "substance free" housing for freshmen and sophomores. My daughter has taken advantage of this opportunity both years. However, the dorm which is specifically designated as "sub free" becomes a stigma for those students living there. Just the mention that my daughter lived in Johnson was enough to get her rejected from all of the sororities during rush except for Phi Mu. At other universities which offer this housing option, the sub free floors are interspersed among all of the dorms and there is no one specific sub free dorm. This also allows the sub free students to positively influence the non-sub free students.
The campus plan should take into account ease of parking, shuttling and egress for community-supported events occurring in the Chapel or other venues. Signage, transfer points and areas all need to be clearly marked for those who do not normally travel on the campus. Above all, any parking areas should be artfully concealed and tastefully designed but safe at night.
Please listen to your students. They were leaders in their respective high schools and have individually earned the right to attend WFU. If you want to promote a good relationship between the administration and the students, then give them a voice in the decision making process.
On another note:
Some students are into sports or socializing while others prefer the more intellectual side of academia and prefer music, speakers, independent movies, board games, culture, and discussions on politics and international affairs. As you take away activities from the social life of the students (Ziggys, etc.), please consider the fact that they need alternative entertainment.
A concerned parent
Submitted Oct. 9, 2007:
Please send notice at least a week in advance for the next open forum. Thank you.
When Wake Forest adopted the ThinkPad program 11 years ago, it was cutting edge. We've entirely lost that edge. Friends at home laugh at my computer, it is bulky and unattractive compared to many other models on the market.
I understand that cost is a big factor in continuing to offer these computers to students, but if we want to gain a technological edge on other schools, we MUST change the system and the product.
Classrooms used to be leading edge, and are still somewhat advanced, but we must always be three steps ahead of our competitors (other schools). Technology is becoming a larger and larger draw for prospective students. We must appeal and provide more modern services.
There should absolutely be more electrical outlets in classrooms, and I refer specifically, although not exclusively, to Tribble. Tribble classrooms make plugging in very difficult, and it often ends up in a race of who can get the seat near the outlet.
Thanks very much!
The Ayers-Saint-Gross presentation graphic that shows the activity model is interesting but gravely in error on one point. It treats Wait Chapel as a student activity zone, but leaves off Wingate Hall (attached to the back of Wait) which is an intensely academic facility, housing the Dept. of Religion as well as the Divinity School classrooms and offices.
I think we need more facilities for the students to use on campus. Benson is a so-called "student center", but it really does not promote student leisure. If the only hangout on the campus is the Pit, then there's a problem, which leads me to the next point. We need Benson to be on the meal plan because the Pit is grossly crowded to the point where one cannot get a seat. Another alternative is making the Mag Room a full-time eating establishment. Finally, another addendum to the campus, such as a Panera, would be a good place for students to spend time with each other and another place to get meals.
It has become apparent that there is a sincere lack of opportunities for student artists to showcase their work and for students to view it. I propose that we create a small student gallery that can hold a constantly changing and rotating collection of student artwork. The art department professors could choose pieces to put in the gallery at will, and the gallery could be open to the Wake Forest community (as Hanes Gallery is). This would be a better option than the student exhibitions that are around Reynolda Hall and Benson University Center because they would change more often and would be in one contained space in which to be viewed without the distraction of the building and its goings-on. While the student exhibitions in Reynolda and Benson are perfect for certain pieces and to achieve certain goals, this student gallery could add another opportunity to display student work, achieving different goals.
I work in an academic department that is housed at the back of Wait Chapel in Wingate Hall. It's called the Department of Religion. I don't think this constitutes "Student Life" as it shows on the Ayers-Saint-Gross presentation
Last semester Wake Forest conducted a number of child care forums to discuss the potential for an on-site child care center. Is that still in the works? In developing a master plan for the campus, please consider this huge need for faculty and staff. Creating a child care center has the potential to help not only the daily lives of the campus community who have or are planning to have children, but some interesting and educational opportunities could be built with students, psychologists, pro humanitate service-learning, etc. (e.g., through observational suites or volunteer opportunities to assist in the center).
I would like to just remind the committee about Historic Preservation issues on campus. Although this is a very small part of the master planning process, it should be noted that development of certain University properties may require consideration of historical and archaeological properties. This is especially relevant to land that has been previously undisturbed, or areas of special historical significance such as Reynolda Village. As stewards of our community's cultural and historic resources, the University needs to be aware and proactive with these issues. Thanks.
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