Background—Master Facilities Plan

20-Year Master Facilities Plan
Approved November 2001

Overview
The following master plan document is a critical review of the existing facilities and land use on the Moraine Valley Community College campus, plus a solution plan of prioritized projects that responds to the challenges facing the college as it functions in a dynamic environment.

Originally constructed between 1970 and 1974 and consisting of Buildings A, B, L and G, the college has responded over the years to increases in student enrollment, changes in the delivery of instruction, program needs and various other demands placed upon it by the community it serves through a series of new buildings and renovations. For the most part, the growth of the campus has been consistent with the master plan developed in 1983; and with the completion of Building D in 2001, all of the development identified on this master plan had been realized. However, the same issues listed above that have shaped the campus over the last 27 years are continuing to do so, and, therefore, the college must have a new plan to manage the resulting changes in its physical environment.

Purpose
The purpose of the Moraine Valley Community College Master Plan is to provide a rational and orderly direction to address existing concerns, provide for existing needs and accommodate future needs on the Moraine Valley campus. To help accomplish its mission and various parts of its strategic plan, the campus will need additional structures and improvements to its existing resources.

Process
The master planning process in 2001 was organized and overseen by an eight-person steering committee consisting of the campus administration, a representative from the Board of Trustees, and two representatives from Campus Operations. The planning effort was guided by a 24-member advisory task force representing a wide cross-section of faculty, staff, and students. Additionally, the Master Planning Team received input from approximately 30 other individuals within the grater Moraine Valley district who took part in focus group meetings on campus.

Interaction with the steering committee and advisory task force occurred primarily during a series of four workshop sessions held between March and August of 2001. Between the workshop sessions, the master planning team documented, generated and developed concepts and ideas for review at subsequent workshop sessions, and work from previous workshop sessions was kept on display at the college for the college community to review.

Goals
The advisory task force and steering committee established the goals for the master planning process as follows:

• Complement the strategic planning process
• Create an awareness of cross-campus issues
• Develop consensus
• Promote campuswide participation
• Prepare the college community for growth

Existing Conditions
A series of investigations and analyses of existing conditions were undertaken to serve as the basis for the development of the physical master plan. These analyses included the following:

• Site Location
• Land Use
• Development Zones
• Site Amenities
• Vegetation
• Access/Circulation
• Parking
• Building Form and Circulation
• Building Entrances
• Utilities and Drainage

Planning Objectives
Upon establishing project goals, critical issues, and program elements to be considered throughout the Master Planning process, the following Planning Objectives were identified to serve as the guiding force for the development of the plan:

• Create or enhance the MVCC image
• Establish the campus as a sense of place with a coordinated campus look
• Establish programmatic and physical connectivity throughout the campus
• Enhance on-site multiuse recreational facilities for college and community use
• Strengthen campus organization by providing centralized services and cross-functional clusters
• Create varied and dispersed student and employee life space
• Consider safety in the planning process for students, employees, and community members
• Explore and establish community partnerships
• Provide adequate and convenient parking facilities for students, employees, and visitors
• Provide a convenient, accessible, functional, and comfortable learning environment

Master Plan Development
Once the planning objectives were developed and the existing campus was analyzed, an initial concept development diagram was established that identified the major development opportunities on campus in response to the above issues. Upon reaching consensus, six more detailed concept alternatives were developed in conjunction with the advisory task force until a preferred concept was agreed upon, presented to the steering committee, and recommended for presentation to the Board of Trustees. The Board approved the plan on Jan. 16, 2002.