Gustavus has long taken pride in the beauty of its campus and the many ways it supports the mission of the College. Our location on top of the hill, overlooking the Minnesota River valley, is truly spectacular throughout the year. Last week was no exception, with snow clinging to tree branches and a blanket of winter white against blue skies.
Strategy 2.6, Reimagine the Campus Framework Plan, is all about our campus grounds and facilities. Our goal is to maintain, renew, build, and develop attractive campus buildings that will support excellence in the curricular and co-curricular programs. Our Campus Framework Plan helps inform decisions about our future, and Gustavus has typically updated this plan every 5-10 years.
As a first step toward updating the Campus Framework Plan, we will be conducting a facilities condition satisfaction survey this spring. Students and employees will have an opportunity to provide feedback on how well our spaces work for us and what needs improvement. Please participate thoughtfully when the survey comes out. Your voice matters.
The big news today is that one of our major facility upgrades is about to become reality. This morning we publicly announced that the Board of Trustees has given us the green light for the expansion and renovation of Nobel Hall of Science, including the connection to Schaefer Fine Arts Center with the addition of a new laboratory theatre. I can hardly wait to see a crane on our campus on the south mall!
How can you help support this strategy? It is our collective responsibility to be good stewards of our facilities and grounds. There are lots of things you can do every day to help keep our campus clean, beautiful, and well-maintained. One of the best ways you can support Strategy 2.6 is to genuinely thank and appreciate your colleagues in the Facilities Management division for the fine work they do for Gustavus.
Until next week, keep up the good work, Gusties!
With respect,
Becky