The idea for an elaborate "college town" on the Livingston campus is out, but another plan to promote education and professional growth is in. The University is paying close attention to Livingston campus, which has seen the least amount of improvement projects in the last several years. University officials have said Livingston does not have the distinctive identity that the other campuses have, and the administration said it is working to change that. "This year, the University will expand and renovate the student center and prepare for construction of a new dining hall," University President Richard L. McCormick said, during his annual address on Sept. 28. "But those steps are only a prelude to a much more ambitious plan for redefining Livingston around a strong academic core." The eventual goal for Livingston is to establish it as a center for professional education at the University, and to encourage research fostering economic and social progress. The University plans to bring together the schools of social work, business, management and labor relations, and education on the Livingston campus. McCormick said these schools share a dedication to professional and executive education, and have always focused a great deal of attention on leadership and social responsibility. The plans for Livingston are only in their preliminary stages, and as of now, nothing has been finalized. The University is currently working with outside development planners and architects to ascertain what would be feasible for the Livingston campus, and is also looking to understand where the revenue will come from for the remodeling of the campus, as there is no new funding from the state that is allocated for building. "The University is still in the process of performing preliminary design and feasibility studies," said Bruce Fehn, interim senior vice president of administration and chief financial officer. "When the studies are complete and there comes a decision to move forward, business planning will begin." "The business plan will examine opportunities for new revenue streams that can help support the cost of the development," he said. Although planning is already underway, Fehn said the entire long-term process might span a decade. At this early stage, students are not very involved in the process, but as the plan continues, they will play a larger role. First, the University has to create a feasible plan so there is something for students to react to. "We are trying to figure out which students we are talking about … what would be academic programs that would create the identity. And then [we'll] decide who the students to consult with would be and engage them," said Dean David Finegold. The Livingston Campus Council is also only in the beginning stages of addressing the new plans for their campus. "For the most part, students have not necessarily envisioned any particular purpose for our campus," said LCC President Nicholas Martucci, a Livingston College junior. "The matter of importance at hand is utilizing its potential and ensuring its vitality." The vision for the new campus is intended to reach a broad spectrum of students. It will include facilities to engage older students who work full-time jobs and attend night classes, as well as people in the community who will be taking short-term or weekend courses at the University. The old idea for creating a "college town" on Livingston campus, which would have included low-income housing and a wide array of stores and food venues, has been abandoned. It was believed that the plan was too focused on commercial enterprise and not focused enough on the students or on promoting education, Finegold said. The new idea includes prospects for professional buildings. "We are exploring the potential for adding several complementary facilities, including a hotel and conference center, residences for students and their families, recreational areas, a research park and appropriate commercial enterprises," McCormick said. The plans may help enliven Livingston campus from a social perspective. Livingston is a dead campus at night and the weekends, especially in the student center, Finegold said. The plan will bring more students and faculty to the campus, giving it more life and making it more appealing for people to spend time at. Livingston is located both near a rail and highway, and is in close proximity to the world-class science and engineering disciplines on Busch campus. Additionally, it has more undeveloped land available than any other campus, McCormick said. Even with all of the building plans, the University wants to preserve and enhance the ecological preserve surrounding Livingston campus, Fehn said. The last new building built on Livingston was about 30 years ago, Finegold said, so this is a big and exciting step for the University. "I think it's really exciting for Rutgers and the whole of central New Jersey in terms of how we can do significant development that can help communities and regions as well," Finegold said.
Livingston redesign plans change again
'College Town' idea scrapped, as University officials seek a more student-oriented approach to campus
Published: Monday, October 8, 2007
Updated: Sunday, February 22, 2009
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