CS 3.11.3 Physical Facilities

The institution operates and maintains physical facilities, both on and off campus, that appropriately serve the needs of the institution’s educational programs, support services, and other mission-related activities. (Comprehensive Standard 3.11.3)

Compliance ___ Non-Compliance

Narrative

Savannah State University (SSU) operates and maintains physical facilities, both on and off the main campus, that appropriately serve the needs of the educational programs, support services, and other mission- related activities. The University’s main campus has 44 buildings on 214 acres. These buildings provide space for academic programs, student support services, academic support services, research space, and administrative support services. Moreover, recent repurposing of facilities, building renovations and new construction have been undertaken in an intentional and systematic way that aligns with Strategic Priorities of the institution and facilitates the achievement of SSU Strategic Plan Priorities—in particular Strategic Priorities 1: Academic Engagement and Achievement; Priority 2: Community and Economic Development; Priority Four: Sustainability and Resources; and Priority Five: Technology and Competitiveness. (SSU Strategic Plan Priorities)

Overview of Physical Facilities

The list of all the campus buildings provided indicates the square footage of each facility. In addition, the list reflects the primary designation of the facility—academic, administrative, housing, etc.(A.3.11.3).

Space utilization is managed on campus in several ways: Space utilization for academic buildings is managed by the Office of the Registrar. Ad-Astra Space Management application is utilized to assign academic space for classes, meetings, and other use of space. Rooms are assigned by the Office of the Registrar based on room requirements identified by the academic departments. A list of course room assignments for the fall 2016 semester is provided. (B.3.11.3). Campus Events Management Office reserves space for non-academic events in the application as well . A report of the events and space utilized for (Fall 2016) is provided.

As discussed in Part I, three SSU Graduate Degree programs offer classes each academic year at the Coastal Georgia Center (CGC). This center was built by the University System of Georgia, and is shared by Georgia Southern University, Armstrong State University, and Savannah State University. The SSU Master of Social Work, Master of Public Administration and Master Urban Studies and Planning programs offer courses at the Coastal Georgia Center. SSU does not offer a complete academic program off campus, and no undergraduate courses are offered at the Coastal Georgia Center.

To meet its long-term facility needs, the University has, in place a Facility Master Plan (see attachment C.311.3). A copy of the plan is retained on file with the University System of Georgia’s administrative office. This plan is utilized to guide SSU’s capital funding requests for new construction and renovation projects. The projects reflected in the master plan are prioritized based on the recommendations by faculty, staff, and students during the development of the plan. Over the last five years, the University has constructed new residence halls, renovated the dining hall, reprogrammed academic support space to become academic space, renovated academic and administrative support space, and is constructing new academic space (see attachment D.311.3).

The University has experienced 3% to 5% annual enrollment increases over the past five years. To provide the support and academic space to meet the needs of the students, faculty, and staff several projects have occurred or are underway. Below is a summary of the projects and supporting documents are attached.

New Student Support Building

A second Student Union was opened in 2011. This facility, located adjacent to the academic circle of the campus, added approximately 40,000 gross square footage to co-curricular space for students. The building houses student leadership offices, the student Community Advisory Board, Career Services, a food court, and other meeting and event spaces (see attachment E.311.3). The new student union compliments the existing King Frazier Student Center. King Frazier is on the eastern part of campus and contains the main dining hall, game room, multi-purpose rooms.

Dining Hall Renovation

The University renovated the King Frazier Dining Hall in 2013. This is SSU’s main dining hall, and it is the closest dining facility to the freshman residence halls. The renovation improved the functionality of the space, replaced all the seating and tables, upgraded serving lines and enhanced the kitchen equipment. The combination of dining venu es on campus enables the University to provide a variety of dining options to meet students’ needs (see attachment F.311.3).

Reprogrammed Academic Support Space

To meet academic space requirements of the Department of Journalism and Mass Communications, the University is reprogramming spaces in Whiting Hall. The project consists of new labs, a digital television production studio, and classroom space (G.311.3). In conjunction with these reprogrammed facilities for Journalism and Mass Communications, some academic and administrative support units will be relocated.

A building adjacent to the campus was purchased during 2015. Renovation began Fall 2016 and the planned units to move to the facility are University Advancement and Trio Programs (Upward Bound, Talent Search, and GEAR Up) (H3.11.3).

Renovated Academic Buildings

To improve the quality of existing academic and research facilities for the College of Science and Technology and the School of Teacher Education both cosmetic and substantial renovations have been made to the Hubert Technology Buildings over the last three years. These improvements have been funded by Title III funds and consist of the following: replacing of floor tiles, painting of interior walls, upgraded lighting and fixtures, elevator addition for accessibility, heating and air improvements, laboratory space renovation.

Construction of New Academic Buildings

Two state of the art facilities are being constructed on the SSU campus to meet the needs of the growing STEM programs and initiatives. Both are scheduled to open in Fall 2017. One of the new buildings will the University is provide 48,000 gross square feet of science and technology laboratory and office space for Science and Technology faculty and students. The other will provide a unique space for SSU’s expanding M arine Science program, the new 19,000 gross square feet facility is being constructed near campus with deeper water access.

Summaries of several projects that have been completed over the last several years, or are underway are presented above. The scope for the projects are developed in a collaborative manner through planning meetings with space users. Architects and engineers are engaged to ensure all elements of construction are considered and to develop budgets for projects. The information from the planning meetings is utilized to develop Project Concept Proposals submitted to the University System of Georgia (USG) office. To move capital projects forward, the University has to obtain approval from the USG. [Project authorization documentation from the USG].Project Concept Proposals are submitted to the USG. The funding source for each request is reflected in the Project Concept Proposal Submission. Projects in addition to those highlighted above are provided to illustrate the continued investment into our physical resources.

Technological Infrastructure

Savannah State University operates and maintains its’ Information Technological resources in support of Savannah State University‘s mission for information technology – technological competitiveness which includes a) supporting a technological advanced living and learning environment; b) Increasing pedagogical and online learning resources; c) enhancing the technology infrastructure and d) enhancing customer service to improve security systems and support privacy and integrity functions.

The term technology includes, but is not limited to: hardware, software, telecommunications, Voice over IP (telephones), video surveillance, personal computers, laptops, tablets, cellular telephones, wireless networks, local and wide area networks, public safety radio services, peripheral equipment, technology facilities including data centers, dedicated facsimile machines, smart classroom, training facilities, including technology personnel tasked with the planning, implementation, and support of technology on campus.

IT infrastructure refers to the composite hardware, software, network resources and services required for the existence, operation and management of an enterprise IT environment. The technology infrastructure is maintained by the Information Technology Services (ITS) department – a service organization supporting the university’s mission to provide an innovative, customer-focused, and robust foundation for information technology (IT) solutions that enable Savannah State University community to pursue excellence in research, education, and public service.

The Savannah State’s technology infrastructure utilizes PeachNet, a state-wide network that is based on a fiber-optic data network that connects at a minimum all buildings by 1GB speed to the Data Center. This network provides connectivity for computer, data storage, video surveillance, door access, smart building technology, telephony, fire alarms, panic alarms, television, environmental controls, and digital signage among other applications. With the increased use of online learning resources and social networking among students, faculty and staff, as well as the popularity of mobile applications, Savannah State University has a great demand for access to information from anywhere. The campus wide wireless network consists of 526 access points covering 214 acres indoors and outdoors.

Table 3.11.3.t

Alignment of Information Technology Resources Plans, Goals Objectives with

Savannah State University’s Strategic Themes

Information Technology Resources Completed Objectives

SSU ITS Strategic Themes

SSU’s Student and Faculty Laptop Loaner program was established 5 years ago to assist new faculty and give SSU students with limited resources access to mobile devices. These resources provide students with access to additional resources outside classroom instruction to further the scope of learning beyond the classroom.