Planning Educational Facilities

Abstract

THE PROBLEM of planning educationalf ac ili ties is not merely one of obtaining X number of dollars to house Y number of students. Neither is it purely one of efficient utilization of space. It is a problem of envisioning, designing, and per fecting an environment for the students and faculty which will stimulate and perpetuate the learning process. One has merely to look at industry to gain an in sight into this approach. Industry's objective is to place its product in every home in the country. In dustrialists begin by team -ga the ring and analyzing all the related data affecting the marketing of their product. They know, for example, the type of en vironment which will best house the product and most attractively present it to the public. They plan with intelligence and imagination the quality of en closures which will enhance their product, perpet uate its use, and stimulate the curiosity of the un informed. If one wishes to better the purposes and ideals of higher education, the curricula must be presented and housed in such a manner that institutional ob jectives will be attained in an environment that will attract and stimulate youth and faculties in their search for knowledge. In planning educational facilities in Wisconsin, an attempt is being made to study and correlate as much relevant data as possible. Three kinds of studies which have aided in the planning of educa tional facilities are the survey of physical facili ties, facilities quality study, and the ana lys is sketch. These will be presented in that order.