CAMPUS OPTIMIZATION PLAN 2021

In 2020, the Golden Gate University wanted to capitalize on unprecedented times to accelerate long-term campus planning goals. While most universities froze long-term planning activities during the pandemic, GGU ramped theirs up instead asking, how can we leverage the fact that no one is on-campus to make sure more effective space utilization focused around an increasingly remote student body? MKThink responded by realigning the university’s One University campus plan from 2015 with present-day and future academic goals and emerging realities. MKThink's assessment led to a 20% reduction of the campus footprint while our space cost allocation model created a closer link between space use and annual budgeting, leaving more campus space for student-centered programming. Strategic use of libraries and event spaces as well as introduction of contemporary pedagogical or workplace strategies made the campus optimization feasible. Flexibility is key to the success of the plan, which is employing a robust change management program to maintain a balance between policy, place and technology.