Interviews/Summary of Issues and Needs
Survey Responses: Northwest Campus
In addition to the interview sessions, a questionnaire was available on the Web site for those who were not at the meeting to comment and provide feedback to the planning team. What follows is a condensed report of the questions asked and a cross-section of the answers received:
How would you describe your TCCD campus?
Mostly excellent people • Physically, it’s small and cramped • Some divisions have way too much and underutilized ven get another classroom • Great • Beautiful • Outdated, too small • Attractive.
What is the best thing, space or feature of your campus?
The size • Location • Fire Academy • Lake • Location • Although it needs remodeling, the campus is beautiful, grounds are best feature.
What one thing about your campus needs the most attention? Why?
Classroom and Science Lab space, the campus was built for 3,000 to 4,000 students • we now have more than 6,000 students crammed into a 28 year old building • I would reorganize the areas • There is no logical arrangement, confusing for the students to go from one building to another to take care of one chore • Space • Administration/Counseling/Testing, first impression to students • Upon entering our main Administration Building, there is a very strong smell of mold • I feel an extensive investigation needs to be done to check-ceiling, walls, insulation, vents and insulation around major A/C unit • It needs to be checked-it could cause health problems • I am speaking from experience, my previous home had black mold.
What is the most important building on your campus? What is the least important building? Why?
Most: Classrooms in WTLO, WCTS, WFAB and WACB, students need classrooms • The most important is the Administration Building because everyone starts there • Administration is most important, everyone has to go through there, first point of contact.
Are there buildings at TCCD that should be used for a different purpose?
If Aero moves to Alliance, remodel that space and give to Continuing Education • Build new lab space for sciences and horticulture, and new classroom space.
Are there particular campuses or courses of study that need a new building or building expansion?
Northwest Science desperately needs at least 2 more biology labs, and one more each in Chemistry, Physics, and Geology • Need more space for Student Union • Cafeteria, Counseling, DSS, Career and Employment, Testing, and HPE.
Should continuing education programs have their own building?
Yes • No, I don’t think that would be practical • Probably.
Are student service areas (food service, library, bookstore, etc.) conveniently or centrally located where students are most likely to utilize them?
No • The Café • Nothing seems to be located centrally at this campus • Yes.
What specific areas of your campus are most used by students? By staff?
The hallways near labs and classrooms and the wide corridor near the Bookstore • Library • Classrooms, Hallway • WSTU, WHPE • Cafeteria, Bookstore.
What is your favorite outdoor space on your campus? Why?
Rarely get a chance to go outside, too busy • Plus, why should we spend money outside when there aren’t enough classrooms and labs inside • The Lake • Close to Lake • Between WTLO and WSTU • Outside NODE.
What is the best-designed area on your campus? Why?
Fire Tech • Entry courtyard by WSTU • Lake.
What is the worst-designed area? Why?
Node • Classrooms that can only be obtained through an outdoor entrance.
What special features should be added to make outdoor spaces more attractive, fun, interesting and comfortable?
Paths, chairs, tables under cover or with umbrellas • More seating available for students waiting for rides • Tables under trees for employees • Covered areas would expand student meeting areas to outdoors despite the weather.
Should there be more distinctive and well defined entries into the campus? If so, what changes do you suggest?
There should be better, covered entries for disabled people • Yes, parking entrance defined.
Is there an adequate amount of directional signage on the campus?
No • Need large permanent signage with directional arrows.
When visitors come to campus, where do they park? Where do they go for information?
The first lot they see, then they wander around until someone helps them • The parking area near the flag, then they go to the Administration Building • The South lot • They usually wind up in the Node where there is no one to direct them • First entrance, but has no signage • Front parking, counseling/Admin • Need signs-visitor/Faculty/Student parking.
Is there enough signage to easily navigate the campus?
No, all areas need signs that are more readable • “You are here” signs would help • Yes • No, needed especially at the entrance.
Is the signage attractive and well designed? If no, what changes do you suggest?
No • The signs outside look like recycled real estate yard signs.
On the whole, are there problems with vehicular traffic flow?
Yes • At the Marine Creek Main Entrance • Yes, Marine Creek creates problems, too close to IH 820 to allow queuing • At Circle Drive there are conflicts with cars entering and leaving area, especially for DSS students/buses • Marine Creek Parkway at both entrances.
Are there enough entrances/exits to the campus? If no, what changes do you suggest?
No, there needs to be an entrance from IH 820 service road running between the soccer fields and the lake into the South parking lot • People talk about the North and South parking lots, but they aren’t labeled and don’t really sit North/South.
Is there enough lighting on your campus? If no, what areas need attention?
Parking lots need brighter lights especially at the distant corners • Breezeways and stairwells need more light too.
Is there appropriate access to the buildings for students/staff with disabilities (that is, not just ramps and openers, but covered entrances for quadriplegics)? What, if any, improvements need to be made?
No • there are no covered ramps or entries • There are no drive-up drop-off areas • No, especially according to ADA rules •The ramps need to be covered and we need a covered drop-off area for people with disabilities-handicap parking is horrible.
Where would you remove or add parking areas on your campus?
More spaces are needed near Fire Tech, East of the “South” lot • Add, faculty and staff • Add, anywhere.
Are the facilities on campus adequate for a full range of academic and extra-curricular activities?
No, need a true Student Union building and Conference facilities • Need better place for student gatherings outdoors • Need a place for multimedia presentations to larger groups • WSTU, more space for cafeteria and more tables and chairs • Old room B118 is the largest room on campus for events, need more.
Do students have adequate meeting space on your campus?
No.
Are buildings designed to encourage students’ involvement on your campus?
No.
Are there areas not designed for public gathering where students congregate?
Yes, halls near labs • Yes, they gather in hallways and outside the cafeteria • Yes, especially in WSTU, need more space for eating and conversing • Yes, hallways are too crowded when students have to wait for classes to finish.
Is there adequate space for offices like Counseling, Testing and Career Services?
No, these functions should be centralized for one stop shopping with lots of waiting space and space for private advising and counseling • There should be a separate office for DSS • Not enough space • Testing should be located where hallway noise is not a problem • No, Counseling is merged with Career and Employment as well as DSS, Health Services, Administration office, major conflicts, no confidentiality, with DSS is in open area • No, increased student volume has caused a lack in waiting area, not to mention not enough offices to properly handle student flow.
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