Trinity University charrette – Some of the Details

Historical Development

·         Spring 1999 – A group of faculty that were interested in developing the northeast corner of campus as an outdoor learning center met with the Director of the Physical Plant of Trinity University to discuss the possibilities.  At this time it was recognized that a diverse group of people used the area and these people should be consulted about their ideas on the area.  The idea of a charrette was then discussed.  It was decided that funds would be requested from the Associated Colleges of the South, Rasmussen Environmental Initiative.

·         Summer 1999 – A grant was submitted to ACS to sponsor a charrette in the fall 1999.  Funds were requested for the following: 1)to bring in other faculty from ACS colleges that were interested in the charrette process and outdoor learning centers; 2) provide an honoraria for local resource professionals to attend the charrette and provide their expertise; 3) provide honoraria for two landscape architects; 4) food for the attendees; and 5) miscellaneous supplies for publicity and charrette activities. [ We spent approximately $5,000 on our two day charrette].  The grant was awarded during the summer.

·         Fall 1999 – A planning committee was formalized that included 5 faculty, 3 students, 1 staff member, and 2 directors from the physical plant. 

·         Early October 1999 – Publicity was started in earnest for the charrette.  The strategy was to get people to register for the event so that we had a mailing list.  The registration deadline was set for 2 weeks before the charrette.  We publicized the event and registration details in several ways: 1) student newspaper; 2) signs on the property to get community members involved; 3) campus wide publications; 4) campus internet talk groups; and 5) planning committee members making personal contacts.  Some faculty gave service learning credit to students for their participation.  The major student organizations were contacted and urged to send a  representative.  We also lined up three resource professionals to take part in our charrette.  These people were experts on landscaping with local native plants and landscaping for wildlife.

·         Mid-October 1999.  We had close to 50 people register for the charrette.  A personal letter was sent to each registrant explaining the schedule for the charrette. 

·         5- 6 November 1999 – Charrette Day.  We had 46 people attend the charrette that included the following: 14 students, 5 community participants, 5 ACS faculty, 5 Trinity staff members, 6 faculty, 3 resource professionals, 2 architects, and 6 members from the charrette planning committee.  Thirty-nine of the 50 people who registered showed up.   A few interested people came in to observe the process during the two days.   The attendees were divided into two groups (Butterfly Group and Oak Leaves Group), each with an assigned facilitator.  The resource professionals were free to roam between the two groups as needed, as were the members of the planning committee.

The schedule for the charrette was as follows:

Friday Schedule

                2:00                Registration.  View Demonstration Material. Snacks available

2:45                Tour of site lead by Ribble and Loxsom

3:30                Presentation by Janis Merritt (room 350 Laurie)

4:00                Presentation by Roald Hazelhoff  (room 350 Laurie)

Charrette Day Schedule

                8:00                         Continental Breakfast, Coffee Available

8:15                         Welcome (Vice President White)

                                                Slide Introduction (Loxsom)

                                                Instructions (Ribble)

8:45-10:00       Review vision statement, potential uses of area, problems and restrictions.

                                                Objectives for site plan.

10:00-10:15                 Break (Continental Breakfast still available)

10:30-12:00                Major Site Elements and Components

12:00-1:00         Lunch Break (Lunch provided)

1:00-2:30                Final Site Development Plan

2:30-3:00                Assessment of Plan and Objectives, Name of Area?

3:00-3:15                Break (snacks available)

3:15-4:00                Presentation of Objectives, Major Site Elements, Site Development Plan

 to entire group               

4:00                         End

·         7 November 1999 – The morning after the charrette the planning committee met with the ACS guests to evaluate the charrette process and discuss ways to proceed with the conceptual plans developed.

Strengths of the Trinity Charrette

·         A diversity of interests and perspectives were present.

·         Publicity prior to the charrette was good.

·         The resource professionals were excellent and their input was essential.

·         Attendance was good.

·         Attendees were well fed.

·         The schedule was maintained.

·         The Physical Plant Director and Assistant Director were part of the planning and process.

Some Areas That Could Have Been Improved

·         The facilitators of each group could have been better prepared.  Perhaps professional facilitators should be hired.

·         The history of the area and the development of the charrette process (as outlined here) could have been better presented.

·         Better maps should have been completed before the charrette.

·         Better administrative support.