2.11.2 Physical Resources
The institution has adequate physical resources to support the mission of the institution and the scope of its programs and services.
Judgement of Compliance:
Compliance
Narrative:
The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga (UTC) campus consists of seventy-seven (77) total buildings and structures encompassing a total of 2.5 million gross square feet (gsf) of space. As of 2010, 69% of that area (1.7 million gsf) was considered Education and General (E&G) space; that total represents a 29% expansion since 2000. This increase eclipsed the 18.6% growth of E&G space which took place the previous decade (1987-2000) and helped the University to continue to meet both Tennessee Higher Education Commission (THEC) and Institutional Planned Unit Development (IPUD) standards (See table in diagram, Document 1).
In the last decade, UTC has completed over $100 million in capital maintenance, renovations, and construction projects. A detailed view of the Capital Outlay projects responsible for UTC’s growth can be seen in Table 1.
Table 1: Capital Outlay Projects, 2000-2010
Project Name |
Dollars |
Add’l Sq Ft |
|---|---|---|
Engineering, Math, and Computer Science Building |
$28,800,000 |
200,000 |
University Center Expansion & Renovation |
$15,000,000 |
77,000 |
Student Recreation Center |
$14,000,000 |
99,140 |
Athletic Strength & Conditioning Center |
$3,265,000 |
20,080 |
Challenger Center Expansion |
$900,000 |
5,250 |
The Engineering, Math, and Computer Science building is a 200,000 gsf state-of-the-art academic building completed in the summer of 2003. Designed by Derthick, Henley, & Wilkerson, this impressive structure serves as a gateway for the redevelopment of Vine Street as a campus corridor. It houses 38 laboratories, 20 classrooms, and 2 major auditoriums and provides top-tier facilities for both the College of Engineering and Computer Science and the Mathematics Department.
Student fees funded the University Center Expansion & Renovation project. This $15 million dollar undertaking employed TWH Architects and MEP Engineers in a joint venture that renovated 150,000 gsf of existing space and added 80,000 gsf of new space. The renovated & expanded University Center, which re-opened its doors in August of 2003, provides students with new food service and dining areas, a convenient home for the UTC Bookstore, a 300-seat auditorium, and several new meeting rooms. The renovation included 13,000 square feet of currently unfinished space, which has been slated to house the Admissions and Financial Aid offices.
Another notable project, the Challenger Center Expansion, was completed in August of 2007. The $900,000 dollar, donor-financed expansion to the current building provided three much-needed classrooms to support the current center mission.
Athletic Facilities
2009 marked the completion of another milestone for UTC when the Aquatic and Recreation Center opened its doors to the campus. Construction for this project began in 2007 and, upon completion, provided students with two multi-purpose athletic courts, an indoor track, free weight and machine fitness areas, and aerobics/ martial arts rooms. Phase II of the project, a $7.3 million pool addition, is already under way. This new, 100,000 gsf aquatic facility will house a lap pool, lazy river, and spa area for students to enjoy.
UTC athletes also had reason to celebrate when, in December 2008, the Lawson Center for Student-Athlete Success was completed. This $3.28-million, donor-financed project houses a full size basketball practice facility, a strength center for all intercollegiate athletics, and offices for strength and conditioning staff. The facility resides on the site of the former Siskin Memorial/ Vine Street portables property and makes a substantial aesthetic and functional improvement to the west side of the campus.
Student intramural opportunities are also being increased through the construction of a new intramural complex at the Engel Stadium site. With three flag-football sized fields, this multi-use open space is in the process of becoming the hub of intramural activity at UTC. The property will include a field house and equipment storage building.
Library Facilities
In January 2009, a ceremony was held to commemorate the groundbreaking for UTC’s new library. This modern, 180,000 gsf facility is being designed to meet or exceed LEED-NC Silver certification and is scheduled for completion in 2012. Highlights of this $48 million dollar project include
- Information commons
- Classroom space
- Numerous group study rooms
- Special Collections & Archives facilities
- Walker Teaching Resource Center & Academic Support Center
- Cafe
Student Housing
UTC offers eight (8) apartment-style dormitories to residential students. These dormitories house 2949 students and offer such amenities as laundry facilities, cable, and high-speed wired and wireless internet service. Most of the residents (85%) have private bedrooms. All apartments are fully furnished and have full or efficiency kitchens. Most buildings have some type of community space, study rooms, computer labs, and outdoor recreational spaces. One dormitory has a classroom that seats forty (40) students.
Since 2000, the university has experienced rapid growth in enrollment, from 8,319 students in Fall, 2000 to 10,526 students in Fall, 2010. During that same period, the number of residential students has increased from 1550 to a Fall, 2010 projection of over 3000. Housing and Residence Life has added beds and utilized off-campus hotels as temporary housing to meet the immediate demand for additional housing. Typically, all students are assigned campus housing by a few weeks into the fall semester.
New Properties and Systems Improvements
In addition to the properties currently listed on UTC’s building inventory, the University recently purchased two additional properties- the AD Pi house, adding an additional 2,783 gsf of E&G space; and the Bryan Funeral Home property, which has been turned into increased parking for the campus.
While campus growth is important, it is also critical that existing buildings be maintained, renovated, and brought to modern, energy efficient standards. As Table 2 indicates, UTC’s aggressive capital maintenance program is making huge strides in those areas.
Table 2
Capital Maintenance Projects, 200-2010
Description |
Dollars |
|---|---|
Hunter HVAC Improvements |
$1,600,000 |
Central Energy Dist. System Improvements |
$1,300,000 |
Roof Replacements |
$1,200,000 |
Race/Hooper Hall Renovations, Phase I |
$1,370,000 |
Race/Hooper Hall Renovations, Phase II |
$1,475,000 |
Electrical Distribution System Upgrades, Phase I |
$2,080,000 |
ADA Improvements & Upgrades, Phase I |
$500,000 |
ADA Improvements & Upgrades, Phase I |
$250,000 |
Central Energy Plant Improvements |
$1,950,000 |
Metropolitan Building Renovations, Phase II |
$2,350,000 |
Campus Landscaping |
$1,400,000 |
North Stadium Demolition |
$650,000 |
Math Bldg Demolition |
$146,000 |
Building Exterior Repairs |
$1,860,000 |
Central Energy Improvements (Chiller #3) |
$2,000,000 |
Roof Replacements |
$1,300,000 |
Challenger Center Expansion |
$900,000 |
Campus Fire Alarm Upgrades |
$400,000 |
Boiler Replacement |
$2,675,000 |
Arena Video Upgrade |
$875,000 |
Grote Hall Renovation |
$4,250,000 |
Campus Elevator Upgrades |
$1,500,000 |
Intramural Development |
$1,300,000 |
Electrical Distribution Upgrades- Phase 2 |
$2,700,000 |
SimCenter Alternate Energy Lab |
$150,000 |
Total Capital Maintenance Projects 2000-2010 |
$23,435,000 |
Academic Facilities
The University’s Efficiency & Effectiveness committee is studying the actual physical capacity of the academic spaces on campus and actual utilization of those spaces. That study began in May 2010 and is scheduled to be completed with actionable recommendations by October 2010. Preliminary data points to the following:
- Capacity limits that reflect local fire code requirements will be set for all academic spaces.
- Classroom configuration across the campus utilizes eighty-four (84) percent of the available capacity.
- Classroom data gathered by the committee includes fire code room capacity limits, class size limits, and actual enrollment. This assessment indicates where opportunities exist for more appropriate room assignments and how class scheduling guidelines might be revised to optimize the available room capacity.
In addition, the study indicates that peak times of day (9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.) are fully utilized Monday through Thursday. Early morning and late afternoon time slots are underutilized and are available for additional classes. Consideration is also being given to courses in which large lecture sections can be accommodated without a pedagogically negative impact.
Although it is expected that this study will result in better utilization of all academic spaces and in improved scheduling of classes across campus, it is clear that the university has adequate instructional space to support its academic programs.
Documentation:
- 2010-11 Updated Schedule D, Facilities Inventory
- 2001-02 Updated Schedule D, Facilities Inventory
- 2009 Capital Update
- Aquatics and Recreation Center
http://www.utc.edu/Administration/CampusRecreation/CampusRecreationCenter.php
- New Library Artist's Rendering
http://www.flickr.com/photos/luptonlibrary/sets/72157619020958703/
- Campus residence halls
http://www.utc.edu/Administration/StudentHousing/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=107&Itemid=55
