Interviews/Summary of Issues and Needs
Survey Responses: Southeast 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?
Many programs under one roof • Lovely but inadequate • Full of students and activity • Like the City widening a road, by the time it’s finished, it’s too small again • We can’t recruit students, there’s no room • Homey • Peaceful, sometimes. Diversified.
What is the best thing, space or feature of your campus?
Large hallways and spaces • The fact that we are all in one building, you get to know everyone on campus • Bistro • It’s far away from the Interstate highway, but not too far • Indoor facility.
What one thing about your campus needs the most attention? Why?
Larger Biology Labs and Science Learning Center, more students seeking healthcare and technical careers • Space and facilities in the music area • Parking, road entrances and noise, all are becoming serious problems • Meeting areas for students • Food Service, since we are slightly isolated, it is best for students and staff to have access to good meals • Student Services needs attention because it is the heartbeat.
Are there buildings at TCCD that should be used for a different purpose? Which buildings? What changes would you suggest?
The Health/PE area could easily be turned into additional music and dance facilities • however, I believe the music area needs are so great, that a complete new structure is needed • Health Services should be easily identified and moved to the 1st floor • we have a huge storage room off of the Bistro that would make a great room for students to gather • Move the inventory to Maintenance in a modular if need be • The Modular should be used exclusively for Continuing Education.
Are there particular campuses or courses of study that need a new building or building expansion? Which ones? Why?
Biology, Chemistry and Physics need new building or extension because they have 25% of student enrollment • Music area is grossly inadequate • We do not have the facilities that a small high school in our area has • When students from these area high schools come to our campus, they do not believe that we even offer a full music program • Southeast, when we opened the doors, we almost doubled the expected student enrollment and it’s just getting worse • Nursing needs to be closer • Yes, the Campus Learning Center needs to be a one stop place for student’s computer and tutoring needs.
Are there classes that should be organized differently or located in different facilities? Which ones? Why?
All Math and Science class should be in the same wing • All of the professional music classes from NE, South, and NW Campuses should be located in the new downtown central campus • I do not believe that SE should be included • SE is so far removed from Fort Worth that most of our students come from Arlington and Mansfield • SE is a “Central” campus for this area
Is space for outdoor learning appropriately emphasized and prioritized in TCCD’s planning?
No, not space for it • Okay • No, HPE classes can be better facilitated.
Should continuing education programs have their own building?
Yes • No, not really • When people come in, they get to feel part of the college, not set apart.
Are student service areas (food service, library, bookstore, etc.) conveniently or centrally located where students are most likely to utilize them?
Yes, they should remain near each other as they are now • No, food service should be located in a warmer environment.
What is your favorite outdoor space on your campus? Why?
Walking Track is scenic and functional • East entrance is more natural with wild flowers and pond in sight • Rose Garden • Area by the pond is peaceful • Area around the pond • The water is so inviting.
What is the best-designed area on your campus? Why?
E wing 2nd floor south side has large classrooms • ESEE 2301 is good classroom design • President and Dean’s offices and conference rooms, they have the best • Rose Garden • Rose Garden, a lot of thought went into it • Library is well designed, variety of spaces
What is the worst-designed area? Why?
Laboratories and Science Learning Center needs more space for students • Office space needs to be larger • DSS and Health Services, being upstairs and not clearly identifiable • Common Areas, there is no place for the students to gather without disturbing others • Bistro is the worst designed area because of it’s size and configuration.
What special features should be added to make outdoor spaces more attractive, fun, interesting and comfortable?
Patios, covered patios • chairs and tables • Cover them so we can enjoy them • Outdoor student area • Have a park designed for students to relax and study with tables and covering • Trees, pavilions, fountains, seating, etc.
Should there be more distinctive and well defined entries into the campus? If so, what changes do you suggest?
I’m sure one will be added with the expansion, but it should be from Hwy 360 • There should be more entries into the campus along with traffic lights for safety, and signage for directions.
Is there an adequate amount of directional signage on the campus? Do you have any ideas on how to improve campus signage?
Explicit and prevalent • Half of the students don’t know where anything is; the staff is the same, they don’t read • I’m thinking that a big medical sign that lights up and gets their attention • No • Signage must be more difficult with one main building, but it would be nice if signs told you that the gym is on the West end, instead of the East, for example • No, signs should be high profile and noticeable.
Is there enough signage to easily navigate the campus? If no, what areas need improvement?
Mall type directory • Too many signs • people are not reading them • No, all over campus • There are some good signs inside, but not outside • Signs are not as noticeable as they could be • The Commons can stand additional signage.
Is the signage attractive and well designed?
Must be explicit • Stop posting signs on top of signs and permanently mark where things/rooms are located • No, we just need some good signage • Yes • No, need more colorful icons.
On the whole, are there problems with vehicular traffic flow? What intersections or streets need attention?
Southeast Parkway and New York • All entrances to campus • Yes, all • Yes, S. E. Parkway • Yes, the Front Entrance is very dangerous.
Are there enough entrances/exits to the campus?
Need at least two more entrances • No, not sure since we know so little about the expansion • No • we need some conducive to the proper flow of traffic • I understand that fewer entrances/exits are more secure, but when the new area is developed, two more would be nice • No, a third entrance would be helpful.
Is there enough lighting on your campus? If no, what areas need attention?
Natural lighting needed • No, all offices need windows • No, back half of all parking lots • No, parking lot need more or brighter lights • We need lighting on the extreme East property.
Where would you remove or add parking areas on your campus?
More Eastside parking • Students park in the grass on the East side when they can’t find a space • Visitor parking • I would remove some of the grass and add more parking • We need more parking on the East side of campus.
Is the division of student/faculty/staff/visitor parking adequate and equitable? If no, what changes need to be made?
Yes • No, more visitors parking is needed • need to keep parents/students from parking in the staff parking and need more enforcement and write more tickets • No, need more parking in all areas • No, we need more staff spaces, or assigned spaces or lots.
Are the facilities on campus adequate for a full range of academic and extra-curricular activities?
No, more space • No • Need meeting space for clubs and activities • Yes.
Do students have adequate meeting space on your campus?
No, our students need more lounge and activity space.
Are buildings designed to encourage students’ involvement on your campus?
No.
Are students able to gather with friends or wait for transportation in areas that are not disruptive to classrooms? Is there more than one space for this? What improvements, if any, need to be made?
Gather with friends, no • Wait for transportation, okay • The students need another area to meet besides the Bistro • There is a small area out front. It could be larger and more inviting.
Are there areas not designed for public gathering where students congregate (i.e. hallways, doorways, office entrances, corners of library, etc.)? If so, do these areas need to be expanded or redesigned?
Yes, students need their own place • Yes, all mentioned above • They also gather outside the theater area. Because of the acoustics, it echoes a lot, they need another area, maybe the North Ballroom • Students congregate in the hallways between classes mostly in the E Wing (Academic) • The students outside o f class do disturb the others in class.
Are athletic facilities adequate for spectators, intramurals or competitive events on your campus?
No, we have no bleachers in the Gym to do anything • No but could be started • No, there is no spectator space in the Gym.
Is there adequate space for offices like Counseling, Testing and Career Services?
No • Yes, but I think they could be larger • The waiting area is in the hallway; It would be nice to have a place they could sit and see more information about the campus while they wait; Maybe there could be a video with information about the campus and facilities • Counseling, Testing, and Career Services all need more space.
From your perspective, which building or campus feature requires the least effort to maintain? Are there parts of the campus that are not easily accessible for maintenance or deliveries? Where?
We have a dock for deliveries • They just have to find a way to get things upstairs • No.
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