The Board of Trustees approved measures Saturday to architect Duke's campus expansion, digging into the first phase of the University's New Campus plan while considering its financial situation.
As banks were buffeted by unstable markets, the Trustees advocated pressing on with the University's visions as expected. Trustee attendance was high, although Chair Robert Steel, Trinity '73, was unable to stay for the full weekend as he was also engaged in talks to sell his company, Wachovia Corp., to Wells Fargo & Co.
"It would be detrimental to dampen our ambition.... We will be very prudent and careful, but at the same time Duke must continue with its forward momentum," said Michael Schoenfeld, vice president for public affairs and government relations.
A phased approach for the Central Campus construction project debuted in March, accompanied by a report from Vice Provost and Dean of Undergraduate Education Steve Nowicki that envisioned a fusion of Duke's 200-acre middle campus with West Campus. Pelli Clarke Pelli Architects was selected as the lead designer on the project in summer 2007, and the firm proposed shifting construction from Erwin Road, which previous prints had suggested, to Campus Drive.
"We think it is important to build a neighborhood, not just a few houses in a subdivision," Schoenfeld said.
Focus for Phase I of New Campus, expected to cost around $400 million, will now turn to fleshing out designs for particular programs. It is likely that there will be three separate architectural commissions-for arts, residential and academic zones. University Secretary Richard Riddell said architects may be chosen by December.
Infrastructure work could begin by summer 2009, and the plans indicate that buildings will be erected by 2011.
In the meantime, the programs housed along the Campus Drive alley will be relocated temporarily or permanently. Executive Vice President Tallman Trask noted that Duke would support individuals hoping to preserve and relocate the historic homes that dot the route between East Campus and West, according to a University release.
Phase I will include constructing dining and recreation spaces as well as suite-style residence halls with a capacity for between 40 and 75 students, accommodating a total of approximately 500 undergraduates. The plan will also make space for visual arts; languages, literatures and cultural studies; the John Hope Franklin Institute; classrooms; and a library information commons, according to the University release.
In approving the campus plan, the Trustees also considered Duke University Management Company's report for fiscal year 2008. As The Chronicle previously reported, Duke was comparatively stable, achieving a 6.2 percent return and bringing the University's endowment to $6.1 billion.
"If there's a silver lining to this there's some evidence that construction costs may be going down soon," Ridell said, noting that the University could capitalize on some decreased expenses moving forward.
Schoenfeld noted that the Trustees had "robust" discussions about prioritizing engagements that enhance the University's strategic plan-which he said is a feature of each meeting. He acknowledged that unpredictable markets may impact gift-giving or cash flow to projects, but that certain initiatives would remain at the forefront of University rankings.
Among these is financial aid, which President Richard Brodhead has emphasized since his installment. The Financial Aid Initiative has achieved around $296 million of its $300 million goal, relying primarily on charitable donations.
"The need-blind admissions policy is a principle the Trustees have endorsed for a long time," Schoenfeld said.
Twenty percent of Duke's financial aid is covered by endowment, and Schoenfeld noted that a certain portion of dollars are unrestricted and can be used a number of different ways. Unpredictable markets could mean other projects would require dipping into that funding typically allocated for financial aid.
The Trustees also approved its yearly revisions to the bylaws and new charters for its committees. A Web site will launch in the coming weeks to help make critical documents as well as Trustee biographical information available to the public.
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