8.1

The institution’s physical and technological resources, including classrooms, laboratories, network infrastructure, materials, equipment, and buildings and grounds, whether owned or rented, are commensurate with institutional purposes.

Central Connecticut State University’s physical resources consist of 317 acres and 3.4 million sq. ft. in 47 buildings. 46 buildings are situated on 163 acres on the north side of New Britain, one building in downtown New Britain, and 154 undeveloped acres in the towns of Newington and New Britain, adjacent to the main campus (Refer to gross footage by building).  CCSU owns and operates an independent energy center.

Consistent with its vision “to be the premier comprehensive university in Connecticut, with teaching as its primary focus…” (CCSU Mission Statement), CCSU strives to meet needs of its programs. The Connecticut State University System (CSUS) Board of Trustees (BOT) has the authority to approve expenditures for physical and technological resources. The BOT meets regularly with university executives and biannually with students, faculty and staff. The University President sets project priorities guided by the university’s Mission and Master Plan and Advised by the Facilities Planning Committee (FPC). The state legislature and Governor have ultimate authority over CSUS’s funding.

CCSU’s Capital Projects Long Range Plan (Master Plan) was approved by the CSUS Board of Trustees. The Master Plan was initiated in 1989 by the Architect Collaborative, later by other consulting firms, and updated biannually by the university. This comprehensive plan addresses issues including infrastructure, accessibility, geographic unification, Title IX, parking, and building codes. CCSU is reconfiguring existing space and adding new space to meet the needs of its programs through the implementation of the Master and five-year plans, in addition to its Two-year review. (Refer to Capital Project Long Range Plan and the Project Management list). CCSU is in the final phases of receiving funding for most of the Master Plan projects from the CSUS 2020 program. The 2020 program allocates 950 million dollars to CSUS over the next ten years, of which, CCSU is to receive 240 million dollars.

They are designed, maintained, and managed at both on- and off-campus sites in a manner that serves institutional needs.

The President makes final design decisions based on recommendations of the CAO. The CAO is advised by, chairs and the Facilities Planning Committee (FPC). The FPC functions “in support of the academic mission of the University…”(FPC Mission). The FPC comprises Executive Committee members, two members of the Faculty Senate, and a representative from the school of Arts and Sciences. The FPC works with the Design Guideline Committee, University Health and Safety officials, and Facilities Management, which may collaborate with the state Department of Public Works.

Led by the CAO, the FPC addresses environmental concerns, security issues, and space allocation.  FPC subgroups evaluate policy and ensure continuous quality. The FPC follows a shared governance model

Maintenance and management of plant operations such as work order processing, HVAC control, fire detection, electrical monitoring, and inventory systems are automated and centrally accessible. Maintenance and repair workflow is time-tracked by an automated Maintenance Management database (Refer to examples of system software and records http://www.ccsu.edu/tech4u/).  Efficient monitoring of the physical plant and timely response to issues ensures that Facilities Management serves the needs of the institution.

Proper management, maintenance, and operation of all physical facilities, including student housing provided by the institution, are accomplished by adequate and competent staffing.

Three senior managers with over 75 years of combined experience lead Facilities Management. Maintenance and trades (M&T) personnel must pass job specific civil service exams to be considered for university employment.  Once hired, they receive regular training and evaluation in job specific areas including client services, and health and safety. M &T personnel are assigned tasks, and their performance is evaluated using an on-line system that enables real-time issue response. Representatives from Facilities Management and Residence Life meet biweekly to discuss and resolve residence hall maintenance and building issues.  (For information on automated systems and statistics, refer to division organizational charts, and samples evaluations).

8.2

Classrooms and other facilities are appropriately equipped and adequate in capacity.

CCSU is able to keep pace with its growing enrollment by using its limited existing space more efficiently. In 2006, the Registrar implemented Ad-Astra, an on-line database, to assign and track increasingly limited space. In 2007, the Registrar retained consultants to refine the room assignment process and establish more departmental control. A new classroom building is in the design phase.  Laboratory and classroom renovations are major initiatives of the Master Plan. Technological space improvements and media support are major components of these projects (Refer to the master projects list and the CHEFA/Auxiliary Fund  Project list).

CCSU is committed to creating multimedia-equipped classrooms.   Currently, CCSU has 134 multimedia classrooms and plans to have all appropriate classrooms similarly equipped by 2010.  Information Technology Services and the Information Technology Committee continue to evaluate, and implement new technology as appropriate, and as funding permits (i.e., classroom of the future plan, possible addition of interactive whiteboards, etc. http://www.ccsu.edu/media/mmr.html.).

Classrooms and other teaching spaces support teaching methods appropriate to the discipline.

CCSU recognizes the advantages of multi-media classrooms in enhancing the teaching and learning environment. The ability of faculty to equip the multi-media stations with software and peripherals appropriate to their disciplines allow faculty to keep pace with pedagogical changes. The trend toward media intensive teaching in all disciplines reduces the need for classrooms dedicated to particular teaching methods. Where such dedicated teaching spaces are required, whether in labs or specially equipped classrooms, there have been noteworthy improvements in recent years. Some have been in the form of large building remodels, such as in Copernicus Hall. In others, it has been lab-specific improvements such as those in Diloreto, Willard, and Barnard Hall. There is still room for improvement, but CCSU faculty enjoy much better teaching facilities than they had just a few years ago.

Students and faculty have access to appropriate physical, technological, and educational resources to support teaching and learning.

The university has made significant investments in its physical and educational infrastructure including:

·         Removal of the main road that divided the campus;

·         Copernicus renovation and classroom addition;

·         Construction of Vance Academic Center;

·         Renovations of residence halls;

·         Construction of Vance Academic garage and Welte parking garage;

·         Renovations of the Student Center garage;

·         Construction of the new Energy Center;

·         Student Center expansion and renovation;

·         Kaiser Addition and renovation;

·         Construction of the Athletic Stadium;

·         Athletic Field Improvements;

·         Central Mall and numerous site improvements.

While some of the most significant plans are currently pending state funding, plans for building and technology upgrades include:

·         Renovation of Burritt library including the construction new Media and IT departments;

·         Construction of a new Public Safety building;

·         Increase indoor and outdoor recreational space;

·         Expansion of two academic buildings.

Students and faculty have access to continuously improving physical and technological resources.   (Refer to http://www.ccsu.edu/itc)

8.3

Facilities are constructed and maintained in accordance with legal requirements to ensure access, safety, security, and a healthful environment with consideration for environmental and ecological concerns.

Buildings and grounds are designed, constructed, and maintained in compliance with the American Disabilities Act, fire codes, and State building code.  These requirements are met through a partnership between the university and the State Department of Public works. The State, and University Fire Marshals conduct periodic inspections of work sites and facilities to ensure compliance and operation of fire protection systems. The Environmental Health and Safety Officers identify and address environmental concerns throughout the planning stages (Refer to sample reports and regulations and http://search.cga.state.ct.us/dtsearch_pub_statutes.html).

The CCSU Police Department prepares and publishes the University’s annual security report in compliance with the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act (Clery Act).  The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the American Society of Industrial Security (ASIS) publish recommendations regarding campus security and safety (For CCSU Annual Security Report, Refer to ASIS and FEMA reports). In 2006, CCSU contracted Risk Solutions International (RSI) to respond to the recommendations of both FEMA and ASIS. The study, completed in 2007, is a comprehensive analysis of risks and vulnerabilities, as well as an assessment of the institution’s response capabilities.  RSI is currently engaged in revising the university’s response plans and identifying training needs. The recommendations of this study will be incorporated into physical plant and infrastructure planning processes  (Refer to Risk Management Solution’s Report (2007) .

In 2006, the university retained Woodward and Curran to conduct an environmental sustainability audit. The study included evaluations of energy use, green space, building design, demolition, and construction. The purpose is to create a baseline from which the university can launch a major sustainability initiative.  The Sustainability Committee, formed in 2007, launched a campus-wide recycling program. Additionally, the CAO is incorporating “green initiatives” into building design and construction.   (Refer to The Woodward and Curran report for Sustainability Committee charge, bi-laws, recycling programs and  notes http://www.ccsu.edu/CCSUSustainability/pdf/FinalSustainabilityAuditReport
_July2007.pdf )

8.4

The institution undertakes physical resource planning linked to academic and student services, support functions, and financial planning.

Resource planning is based on the need for quality-built and maintained facilities that meet the needs of the university while providing a healthy and safe learning environment. Using building priority guidelines consistent with the university’s mission, the Facilities Planning Committee (FPC) meets regularly to assess and prioritize building plans. (Refer to FPC mission ). Budget proposals and resource planning decisions are based on short-range forecasts of academic program demands, and long-range enrollment projections among several other measures.

It determines the adequacy of existing physical and technological resources and identifies and plans the specified resolution of deferred maintenance needs.

The Director of Operational Logistics and Facilities Management are developing a space inventory and allocation database. When completed in late 2009, this database will enable management to use current space more efficiently and improve forecasting of future space requirements.

The Faculty Senate’s Information Technology Committee (ITC) identifies priorities for faculty use of technology and contributes to the university’s strategic planning initiatives by providing specific feedback to campus units responsible for planning  (ITC website section IV.7).    Website - http://www.ccsu.edu/itc/. The Multimedia Subcommittee of the ITC identifies classrooms most in need of technological upgrade in coordination with the affected academic departments. The ITC votes to determine which rooms are upgraded during the fiscal year.

The University has implemented a three-year replacement cycle for desktop computers for all full-time faculty and staff  (http://www.ccsu.edu/its/usersupport/computerrefresh.htm).  Whenever possible, desktop computers are purchased with a four-year warranty.

8.5

The institution demonstrates the effectiveness of its policies and procedures in ensuring the reliability of the systems, the integrity and security of data, and the privacy of individuals.

To ensure reliability CCSU upgrades “out of warranty” equipment and conducts preventative maintenance of systems. In 2004, CCSU built a new datacenter consisting of 150 servers. Critical server data is stored off-site on tape back up. Technologies employed include RAID (Redundadant Array of Inexpensive Disks), redundant hardware, enterprise mangeable virus protection, WSUS (Windows software Update Service) and network firewalls.

The university adheres to security standards established by CSUS Board Resolution 06-10 and outlined in the CSUS Information Security Standards document. The standards are a security program designed to ensure the security and integrity of CSU System’s tangible and intangible information resources. (Refer to Security Standards document). This security program addresses the administrative, technical and physical safeguards needed to attain the following: Confidentiality - Comply with all federal and state laws and regulations as well as CSUS Policies by protecting our information resources against accidental or unauthorized access or disclosure. Integrity - Maintain the viability and accuracy of CSUS Information Resources by preventing its intentional or accidental corruption, modification or destruction. Availability - Ensure the availability of CSUS data, information systems and related services through preventive measures such as risk analysis, monitoring, and contingency planning. CCSU ITS tracks compliance to the security program thru a security matrix document. (Refer to Security Matrix document). 

Information security and integrity is reviewed yearly thru audits conducted by Price Waterhouse Coopers. CCSU ITS is committed to ensuring privacy of individuals thru compliance with the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act (GLBA) and the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA). As part of this compliance an information security officer position was approved and funded in July 2007. 

Institutional Effectiveness

8.6

The institution's ongoing evaluation of its physical and technological resources in light of its mission, current needs and plans for the future is a basis of realistic planning and budget allocation.

CCSU has engaged consultants in the areas of sustainability, master plan, risk management, and public safety. These consultants produced analyses that, along with internal research, were incorporated into subsequent university plans. These plans seek to maximize the benefits to the institution while remaining within budget. The planning process, at all ranges, has been proactive, dynamic, and has incorporated constituents from relevant areas of the institution. The university continually monitors its physical and technological requirements to ensure continual support of its mission, enrollment, and programs.