of the nation Estate


Many of you will have fond memories of the times that you spent on our campuses, in particular the buildings where you lived and studied. Like moving house, the new developments planned for the University might invoke conflicting emotions– sadness at leaving behind memories, but excitement at what the future has to offer.


T 32 futures_summer12.indd 33


he American President John F. Kennedy once said “time and the world do not stand still. Change is the law of life”. It is in this spirit that the University has announced its 2020 Estates


Vision – a plan of equal importance to the original 1952 development when Hatfield Technical College was conceived.


The focus of this plan will be on the original College Lane campus, given the condition and age of many of the buildings. These alterations will not only affect its look, but also how the campus operates and is experienced by students, staff and visitors. Only a handful of developments will be made to the de Havilland site, which will celebrate its 10th birthday in 2013.


Some might question the timing of the start of the development, in the year before the tuition fees are increased. However Andrew May, Director of Estates, Hospitality and Contract Services, believes that the increase in fees is the perfect reason to ensure that the


campus reflects the high standards expected from a 21st century university.


“Doing nothing is not an option; the 2020 Estates


Vision sets out how we intend to modernise our estate and support our staff and student experience, sustainability and community agendas. The increase in tuition fees will make the higher education sector even more competitive. The University must continue to invest if it is to attract the best students and staff and the vision prepares the University for this new environment in higher education.” The vision will affect many areas of the College Lane campus, and one of the most significant developments will be to the residential accommodation blocks; these will be completely rebuilt to ensure that there is a greater provision of mixed, high quality on-campus rooms. The major changes from a teaching perspective will be to the science, engineering and general teaching spaces, as well as the lecture rooms. The Estates team are clearly mindful of the potential


14/04/2012 18:06


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33  |  Page 34  |  Page 35  |  Page 36  |  Page 37  |  Page 38  |  Page 39  |  Page 40