Here's a breakthrough sourcebook that not only argues that student affairs professionals need to assume leadership roles in campus facilities issues, but also provides step-by-step guidelines in building a successful facility project from the first brainstorming session to the final coat of paint. Editor Jerry Price, dean of students at Drake University, and contributors from all walks of the student affairs profession demonstrate that student affairs professionals are in a unique position of understanding the role of the campus in environment in students' lives.

Chapters explore balancing multiple needs through innovative facility design, options for financing residence hall renovation and construction, and the relationship between housing programs and facilities and the institution's education mission. Applicable information on assembling the project team, the role of communication, and ten key lessons for facilities planning, renovation, and building are also presented. Lessons learned in the field are explored as well. The UConn 2000 Initiative Case Study tells the story of one institution's success in developing and implementing a public policy initiative that would lead to billions of dollars in renewed investment in the university's core infrastructure.

Student affairs professionals live with students, see how they interact with one another, hear why they picked this particular school, and listen to the reasons they are succeeding or failing. Their education and experience lie in understanding how residence halls, student unions, dining services, recreation and wellness centers, and campus grounds each affect students' experience in different ways. This book demonstrates conclusively that the valuable expertise of student affairs professionals is therefore critical to ensuring that campus facilities projects ultimately achieve their intended goals.