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Short-Term - Immediate Needs

In order to remain competitive, the University needs to upgrade its existing facilities and provide for new. The following is a summary of the University's priorities for the types of physical improvements needed on the campus during the next five years in order to advance its academic mission.

Student Center New Campus Center
Of primary importance in the immediate future is the need for a Campus Center -- a place where students, faculty, administrators, staff and alumni can come together for a wide variety of experiences and activities.

A recent study completed by the Society of Campus and University Planners ranked the quality of a University's student center as one of the top criteria in a student's selection of an educational institution. It is an essential tool in recruiting, retaining and engaging students. Such a center is even more important on a college campus where a great number of students are commuters, providing a space for students to gather before and after class. Having toured a number of comparable universities in the Southern California Region, the University realizes the necessity to upgrade its student facilities to remain competitive. It is anticipated that this building will be approximately 37,000 gross square feet.

The Supertents The Sports Science and Athletics Pavilion
The Super Tents, built in 1974 as the first tensioned-fabric structures in the United States, are being transformed into the Sports Science and Athletics Pavilion. This transformation provides for much needed refurbishing of the electrical, plumbing and mechanical systems and adds an elevator. It also enhances the play courts including new bleachers and provides a considerable increase in useable space in the facility.

Campus Plaza
While the University has a number of well maintained and manicured open spaces on its campus, it lacks a central assembly space for both formal and informal gatherings. Such a space could provide opportunities for outdoor dining, presentations, small lunchtime concerts, information kiosks and areas for students to gather before and after class. With the proper lighting, landscaping and site furniture, this type of space would become a popular destination on campus.

Student Housing and
Renovation of Brandt Hall
The University currently provides housing for approximately 500 students, or 37.5% of its traditional undergraduate student body. Housing consists of doubles, triples and quads located in Brandt Hall (95 beds) on Bonita Avenue, Studebaker-Hanawalt Hall (Stu-Han--132 beds) on C Street, and the Oaks complex (269 beds) along E Street. In addition, the University contracts with the Sheraton Fairplex to provide 21 beds annually. These outmoded residence halls do not meet the expectations or needs of the modern college student. They are cramped, stark, and lack technological and study amenities provided by most residential colleges and universities. Renovation of these structures to house students is impractical.

Because of the age and condition of Stu-Han (built in 1955) and the costs that would be required to renovate it, and the antiquated and substandard student housing environment of both that building and Brandt Hall, the University plans to construct a new, larger residence hall with approximately 300 beds. The proposed demolition of Stu-Han and the renovation of Brandt Hall (subject to environmental evaluation and mitigation) would provide needed administrative and academic space. It would also allow for a modest (50+bed) increase in the on-campus housing capacity. The Stu-Han site would be used for much-needed parking. The tennis courts would eventually be located on the Campus West or other site to be determined.

Founders Exterior Renovation and Expansion of Founders Hall
Founders Hall is the only relatively large indoor venue the University has for lectures, musical performances and general campus gatherings. Dating back to 1926, the hall has received only minor modifications over the years and as a result, lacks the proper acoustics, staging and support spaces necessary to meet today's needs. These include sound and light locks, a lobby from which to enter the hall, dressing rooms and a green room, off-stage storage,ADA access, new seating and mechanical ventilation/air conditioning.

Bonita Avenue Mixed-Use Development
The University is engaging the City of La Verne and a private party in the development of property it owns south and north of Bonita Avenue west of D Street. This would allow for the construction of a mixed office and retail complex and a multi-story parking structure. It is hoped that together with the renovation of Brandt Hall, the University would be able to relocate University functions currently occupying residential space in the community and the projected parking area on 2nd Street. Another goal would be to provide relief to the parking congestion in Old Town.