Future Campus Framework Discussion

[NJCuse97]

With that said, she has a great point. I could see if the numbers surrounding pool usage were low, but 2200 unique monthly users (staff included) is a lot more than I expected. Yes, there will be a regulation sized pool in the Women's Building, but after a long day of classes (attending or teaching) and/or working out, the last thing you want to do is walk to the Women's Building for a swim; especially during the Winter.

Without going back and looking, I don’t think she said unique. The school and it’s facilities are for the soon to be $70,000 paying students. Faculty making statements such as “without us there is no school” is ridiculous. How many of the users are the club waterpolo team? IIRC there was also intramural waterpolo. How many are those students? I was in school when the swim team was axed. They were actually pretty good. I don’t think they got the this protest. For the record, I never saw them compete. I don’t think this professor represents a large portion of the population, who I think are way more interested in a lazy river with a swim up bar than a regulation lap pool. I also don’t think she’s working out and then swimming. The Women’s Building May be closer to Slocum than Archbold is, especially considering the pool is in the farthest part from campus. It’s no more central than Moon Library. Let’s be honest.

Wow... kinda ranty huh. Sorry. I guess I hate pools.

 

[cuse10]

A lazy river at Syracuse though? When I went to Archbold, it was to play basketball, fencing class and doing some weight training. The last thing I thought about doing at Archbold was relaxing in the pool with a drink or two.

 

[NJCuse97]

A lazy river at Syracuse though? When I went to Archbold, it was to play basketball, fencing class and doing some weight training. The last thing I thought about doing at Archbold was relaxing in the pool with a drink or two.

So no Olympic regulation laps??? Me neither. I’m actually frustrated with the politics and hubris of faculty with this. The school invests money to improve its student life experience, based on advice from hired experts, and an interest in doing something maybe a little different or interesting and this is the response, not from the target audience or customer mind you, from the employee.

 

[OttoMets]

So no Olympic regulation laps??? Me neither. I’m actually frustrated with the politics and hubris of faculty with this. The school invests money to improve its student life experience, based on advice from hired experts, and an interest in doing something maybe a little different or interesting and this is the response, not from the target audience or customer mind you, from the employee.

I think you're understating the appeal of facilities to faculty - they aren't just for the students. 'Employee' shouldn't be pejorative and if that's not part of the target audience, SU's not exercising its fiduciary responsibility to all of us to maintain the best institution it can. (Anecdotally, faculty members are in some ways more active users, since they're on campus 12 months a year and a lot of these people consistently use the gyms for competitive purposes 6 days a week. There's a decades-long tradition of strong competition in running and swimming among the faculty and there's no doubt in my mind that that strengthens the university by drawing in higher-quality faculty.)

This is one of a number of factors that affects quality of life and helps SU attract faculty in a highly competitive market. If SU can't accommodate them, you can bet there's some other school that will. If a regulation pool or an indoor 200-meter track can help sell a professor on SU, that should be taken into consideration. I guess her wording came off as arrogant, but it's true. SU suffers if it can't attract the best and brightest, both in student body and faculty/staff. In my opinion, standardized competitive athletic facilities offer more return on investment than bells and whistles do. For a professor with offers from both Purdue and Syracuse, proximity to a campus pool for lap swimming truly could be a tie-breaker. For a 1600-SAT student, I doubt "but they've got a lazy river" comes into play.

A lot of supposition on my part, I'll qualify that right now.

 

[reedny]

Without going back and looking, I don’t think she said unique. The school and it’s facilities are for the soon to be $70,000 paying students. Faculty making statements such as “without us there is no school” is ridiculous. How many of the users are the club waterpolo team? IIRC there was also intramural waterpolo. How many are those students? I was in school when the swim team was axed. They were actually pretty good. I don’t think they got the this protest. For the record, I never saw them compete. I don’t think this professor represents a large portion of the population, who I think are way more interested in a lazy river with a swim up bar than a regulation lap pool. I also don’t think she’s working out and then swimming. The Women’s Building May be closer to Slocum than Archbold is, especially considering the pool is in the farthest part from campus. It’s no more central than Moon Library. Let’s be honest.

Wow... kinda ranty huh. Sorry. I guess I hate pools.

I don't think you should discount the importance of faculty at a University -- especially the healthy lifestyles they model .. for students prone to apathy. Also, while SU is there for students (especially at those lofty numbers), should we be there as a University, or as a place of leisure (like a casino)? I mean, creature comforts (a "lazy river") are fine as a side benefit, but replacing an exercise facility with a kiddie pool to lay around and watch TV doesn't seem to fit with the U mission.

 

[CuseLegacy]

I don't think you should discount the importance of faculty at a University -- especially the healthy lifestyles they model .. for students prone to apathy. Also, while SU is there for students (especially at those lofty numbers), should we be there as a University, or as a place of leisure (like a casino)? I mean, creature comforts (a "lazy river") are fine as a side benefit, but replacing an exercise facility with a kiddie pool to lay around and watch TV doesn't seem to fit with the U mission.

Kiddie pool ? I'm wondering if the additional length and reconfiguration has to do with accessibility, it could be a walk in.

 

[reedny]

Kiddie pool ? I'm wondering if the additional length and reconfiguration has to do with accessibility, it could be a walk in.

True, there has to be ADA compliance. But that doesn't mean eliminating swimming lanes so kids can lay around and watch TV. I can't think of anything worse for this generation.

 

[OttoMets]

Kiddie pool ? I'm wondering if the additional length and reconfiguration has to do with accessibility, it could be a walk in.

Gotta be. And that's an important improvement (as I like to say, that the institutional home of Burton Blatt is so inaccessible is a crying shame) in a building where it'll be difficult to shoehorn in a lot of pool expansion. There's just not enough room between Sims Drive and the Dome alley to do much.

By the way, if anyone is on campus this week, there's a great view into the old pool with the former wall of windows nearly totally removed.

 

[CuseLegacy]

True, there has to be ADA compliance. But that doesn't mean eliminating swimming lanes so kids can lay around and watch TV. I can't think of anything that would be worse for this generation.

But according to her comments there will still be three lanes just not "regulation" lap length. Doesn't mean you still can't swim laps.

 

[reedny]

But according to her comments there will still be three lanes just not "regulation" lap length. Doesn't mean you still can't swim laps.

Yah, no. Shortening lanes to be non-uniform is de-prioritizing exercise to the point of eliminating it .. at least IMHO. I don't think 18-21 year olds would line up to do "water aerobics" in a TV/Kiddie pool. The whole design of this "exercise" facility sounds crazy.

 

[Cheriehoop]

Yah, no. Shortening lanes to be non-uniform is de-prioritizing exercise to the point of eliminating it .. at least IMHO. I don't think 18-21 year olds would line up to do "water aerobics" in a TV/Kiddie pool. The whole design of this "exercise" facility sounds crazy.

An Olympic size pool is around 160 feet long while a normal regulation size pool is around 80 feet long and is not a small pool by any means. An Olympic size pool is gigantic and very rare except for Olympic training. The number of lanes are more important than the length for the number of people who can use it for lap exercise

 

[reedny]

An Olympic size pool is around 160 feet long while a normal regulation size pool is around 80 feet long and is not a small pool by any means. An Olympic size pool is gigantic and very rare except for Olympic training. The number of lanes are more important than the length for the number of people who can use it for lap exercise

Well, I have to disagree with you, Cherrie. You and I are usually on the same page. Same with Cuse Legacy. So it's fine that we have different opinions once in a while. But I have to say that making a swimming lane non-regulation is a big deal. And eliminating lanes entirely for a TV pool? It all strains the concept of an exercise facility. I'm having trouble understanding why SU would want to prioritize students who want to sit around and watch (more) TV over those who come to a gym to get some exercise (and yes, for swimmers a regulation lane is important)?

 

[Cheriehoop]

Well, I have to disagree wit you, Cherrie. You and I agree often, so it's not a big deal. But shortening a swimming lane is a big deal, as is eliminating lanes. Especially for a TV pool? I don't get the concept of an exercise facility favoring those who want to sit around and watch TV, unless they're trying to encourage a sedentary lifestyle.

I don’t get the tv part either and agree about it seeming inappropriate unless in a lounge or waiting area. I did swim in college and am familiar with pool lengths though and a 25 meter length (around 82 feet) pool is a competition regulation size pool. My local YMCA’s brand new facility (2015) has scrapped the Olympic size pool idea and has 3 pools instead. A lap pool, a smaller heated therapy pool and a lazy river pool. The lazy river pool isn’t named appropriately because they have numerous classes in it using rushing water as resistance training. It is a true workout. They also have waist buoy vests and dumbbells to exercise in water using resistance for upper and lower body workouts. They have active triathlon training with their swimming areas as a major part. I do wish there was more width to the lap pool to accommodate more people doing laps, the length is not the problem.

 

[NJCuse97]

I don’t get the tv part either and agree about it seeming inappropriate unless in a lounge or waiting area. I did swim in college and am familiar with pool lengths though and a 25 meter length (around 82 feet) pool is a competition regulation size pool. My local YMCA’s brand new facility (2015) has scrapped the Olympic size pool idea and has 3 pools instead. A lap pool, a smaller heated therapy pool and a lazy river pool. The lazy river pool isn’t named appropriately because they have numerous classes in it using rushing water as resistance training. It is a true workout. They also have waist buoy vests and dumbbells to exercise in water using resistance for upper and lower body workouts. They have active triathlon training with their swimming areas as a major part. I do wish there was more width to the lap pool to accommodate more people doing laps, the length is not the problem.

I think the thing we are overlooking is that there is a second pool in the women’s building. If the same 2,000 people use that for what they currently use Arch for, and the new pool configuration draws in an additional 2,000 new users for other types of exercise or therapy, I’d say that is a win, mission and all. Factor in that we will have two unique swimming options, hitting a wider bandwidth, at a snowbound school with no swim team. Honestly, you guys should see what other schools have that we are trying to catch up with.

 

[NJCuse97]

The 30 Best College Pools - College Rank

 

[reedny]

I think the thing we are overlooking is that there is a second pool in the women’s building. If the same 2,000 people use that for what they currently use Arch for, and the new pool configuration draws in an additional 2,000 new users for other types of exercise or therapy, I’d say that is a win, mission and all. Factor in that we will have two unique swimming options, hitting a wider bandwidth, at a snowbound school with no swim team. Honestly, you guys should see what other schools have that we are trying to catch up with.

I'b be interested to hear about the latest trends, 97. I'm (obviously) old-school. For me a gymnasium is about exercise first and leisure second. Also, a lap pool should be regulation so swimmers can compare standard times for (eg) 100 crawl, use the usual number of strokes before flip-turning, etc.. But hey, maybe things are changing, so I'll look at your link. Appreciate it.

[Add]: Ok- interesting. One or two out of 30 have a big TV. A majority has traditional (probably regulation) lap lanes. A couple look like Universal Studios with little wading (kiddie) pools and a waterfall (Pensacola Christian). Yet, fully understanding that my opinion doesn't matter, I would think that actual exercise could still be a primary function at the ARCH with a pool/fountain on the side? (glad I'm not designing this). It just seems like a consensus hasn't been reached about design or usage, and I can see why.

 

[reedny]

This one (#10 Kent State) has well balanced functions, although I'm not sure how much room we have.

 

[CuseLegacy]

News | Campus Framework

April Construction Update
April 3, 2018 • by admin


Dear Students, Faculty and Staff:

With the winter weather we experienced in March it is hard to believe spring is here, and our busiest season of construction is quickly approaching. The safety of our campus community is always our first priority. For everyone’s safety, I encourage you to remain alert in work areas for route changes, follow the pedestrian signs and visit the Campus Planning, Design and Construction’s Site Impact/Road Closure webpage for additional information.

The following is a list of construction projects that are active now, as well as a few highlighted summer construction projects that will be happening around campus:

• Campus Utility Upgrades: There are three main areas that continue to be impacted during utility upgrades and progress will be achieved in several phases.
  • Utility improvements in the Newhouse 3 lawn area are scheduled to be completed in April with the sidewalk and lawn areas fully restored by Commencement.
  • Utility upgrades in the Q-1 parking lot will pause for Commencement activities and then continue throughout the summer. Work will progress from Q-1 along the front of Heroy, along the west and south side of Steele Hall toward the Quad. This work is scheduled to be completed in August prior to the start of the fall semester.
• Archbold Gymnasium: Demolition work continues on the interior spaces. Exterior demolition of the southern portion of the building will begin during the second week of April. To safely complete this work, the driveway and sidewalk between Archbold and the Dome will close later this month and will remain closed through August 2019. With an eye toward summer, please note that utility construction associated with the Archbold project will close Sims Drive between Flanagan Gymnasium and Archbold Gymnasium from May 14 to August 20. More information on this road closure will be shared with the campus community as the end of the semester approaches. Additional information on site impacts and road closures can be found at the CPDC website facilities.syr.edu/closures/. Renovation of Archbold includes the creation of the Barnes Center at The Arch, a new state-of-the-art health, wellness and recreation complex. The building is scheduled to open in fall 2019.
• National Veterans Resource Center (NVRC): Construction activity and excavation for the NVRC building’s foundation is underway at the intersection of Waverly and South Crouse avenues. Site preparation and progress, views from the construction camera and the latest building updates are available on the NVRC website. The building is scheduled to open in spring 2020.
• Crouse College Masonry Restoration: While we halted exterior work during the winter months, the project has resumed to install replacement stones to match the historic masonry.

 

[CuseLegacy]

You are correct CL. There was an announcement several months back about fiber cables being installed and Newhouse will host all studio efforts. The hiring of the recent production professionals may have noted this as well

I saw this on the list of campus projects this morning.

Newhouse Complex
Television Production Studio
-Post-production feasibility study
Project Manager: Jim Alfiere

 

[TexanMark]

I saw this on the list of campus projects this morning.

Newhouse Complex
Television Production Studio
-Post-production feasibility study
Project Manager: Jim Alfiere

ACC Network the driver?

 

[CuseLegacy]

 

[NJCuse97]

This is a similar idea to what the framework wants for “West Campus”.

 

[CuseLegacy]

This is a similar idea to what the framework wants for “West Campus”.

Just not the Martian landscape looking buildings I hope.

 

[NJCuse97]

Just not the Martian landscape looking buildings I hope.

Mars is the new Earth.

 

[jr4750]

I saw these pics of Northwesterns new practice facility, and wanted to share. NJCuse97 how sweet is this? Really hope the dome updates include natural light, it’s so energizing!