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Capital Development & Strategic Vision Plan Launches
To provide a healthy, safe, and supportive environment for students, faculty and employees Western is committed to effective planning and development of the physical campus. At the end of November, Western initiated the development of a new Capital Development and Strategic Vison Plan. Every 10-15 years, we update our comprehensive plan for the University’s facilities to ensure our physical spaces continue to support the University’s strategic plan, mission, and goals.
The initial phase defines the scope of the plan, identifying critical areas of focus and gathering existing studies and data. Once the scope is defined, an external consultant will be selected to coordinate the planning phase for the updated document. Extensive input from members of the campus community and thorough analysis of campus needs will be solicited during the planning phase.
For more information about the scoping and planning process, please visit the Capital Development & Strategic Vision Plan webpage.
Space Modification Requests
CPD has launched a new form, the Space Modification Request, to simplify the process of requesting functional or capacity changes to work and instructional spaces on campus.
This form should be used to begin the process of proposing or requesting:
- Minor Works projects to be included in the 2023-2025 Capital Budget Request
- Projects funded by departmental or institutional funds
- Projects funded by University Residences funds
- Any project that changes current space capacity or function, for example:
- Converting office space to instructional space
- Converting a traditional classroom to active learning
- Renovating to create or reorganize work spaces
Space Administration and Planning will ensure the project follows design specifications, receives appropriate approvals, and aligns with Western's space goals and standards. Any project to be funded in the Capital Budget Request will be evaluated by the legislature's Space Planning and Resource Committee and will require State Legislative approval.
On the form, please provide requested information, including project location, goals, requirements, and funding sources, and attach supporting documentation.
All maintenance and repair requests should be made to Facilities Management through the ReADY web portal.
Getting Started
Contact Information
For questions about using the form or developing projects, please contact:
Ellen Kuhlmann, Program Manager for Space Administration and Management
(360) 650-3935
Jeremy Hammond, IT Specialist
(360) 650-2702
Alma Clark Glass Hall Wins Architectural Awards
Alma Clark Glass Hall has won the highest level of recognition, Honor Awards, from both the American Institute of Architects Washington Council (AIAWA), in the Civic Design category, and from the Northwest & Pacific AIA. The Civic Design Awards celebrate quality design arising from collaboration between architects and their civic clients. According to the AIAWA website, the awarded projects “represent the finest standards in innovation, sustainability, building performance, and overall integration with the client and surrounding community.” Clark Glass Hall was the only project to win awards in both categories, with jurors noting its great contribution toward supporting equity, diversity, and inclusion on campus. The building also received Honorable Mention from the Seattle AIA.
In addition, the residence hall received an award of merit for excellence in architecture in a new building from the Society for College and University Planning. It has also achieved LEED Gold certification. Planning and design focused on equity, inclusion, sustainability, and opportunity, with goals of creating community, strong connections, and cultural understanding among students.
Design challenges included bridging the 80-foot hill between north campus and the Ridgeway Complex in a way that makes the Ridge accessible to everyone and creating a vibrant, welcoming space that supports social, academic, and residential connections. Beginning with student listening sessions, the “Shared Journey” pathway that forms a single accessible route for all residents and visitors was created. The collaborative process helped ensure that student and community voices continued to be heard.
The residence hall is named after Alma Clark Glass, the first Black student to attend Western Washington University in 1906. She is remembered as a confident, committed, and well-respected community leader who was deeply invested in advocacy work. She was a founding member of the Seattle branch of the NAACP, a lifelong member of the Washington State Association of Colored Women, chairwoman of the Seattle Self-Improvement Club, and served on the Board of Directors for the Seattle Urban League.
Katana Sol, a Western Industrial Design student, won an open competition to design interior murals and graphics, saying of her designs, “it is my hope that black joy can be illustrated and inspiring for us to come together as a community to appreciate our accomplishments and beauty that makes us who we are.” The hall hosts the first Black Affinity Housing Community on Western’s campus, created in response to student feedback and requests for more identity centered spaces to advocate for Black, Indigenous, People of Color (BIPOC) students on campus.
Alma Clark Glass Hall welcomed its first student residents in September of 2021.
Alma Clark Glass Hall Achieves LEED Gold
Alma Clark Glass Hall has achieved a LEED Gold rating, scoring points in a wide variety of categories including water efficiency; optimizing energy performance; sustainable site strategies; indoor environmental quality; construction and demolition waste management, including recycling and reuse; renewable energy production, green power, and carbon offsets; high quality views; training users to ensure systems function as designed; offering alternative transportation options; use of lower-impact materials; and innovation.
Trees from the site were used for salmon habitat restoration projects, and the roof beams from the old Highland Lounge were reused as furniture in the new building.
The overall goal across the specific achievements is to view the building, site, and surrounding environment holistically to create a project that meets human, ecological, and community needs.