CAMPUS GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT

ATWESTERN MICHIGAN

UNIVERSITY

Campus Planning April 2007http://www.fm.wmich.edu/planning/

Enrollment and Facilities

Growth patterns and trends

http://www.cf.wmich.edu/planning/WebSites/BuildingTimeline/index.htm

Enrollment History: 1904-2007

In 1904 the Western State Normal School’s first class had 107 students. Enrollment increased and stabilized between the

world wars. A large and prolonged enrollment increase lasted from the end of World War II until 1970. A second, smaller

period of growth occurred in the late 1980’s.

Campus Facilities History: Construction and Renovation

Facilities growth paralleled enrollment growth until the 1990’s, when technology and research needs outpaced enrollment.

Campus Facilities History: 1904-2007

Campus housing was the largest user of space from the 1950’s through the 1970’s. Academics - teaching, research, and

offices - has been the largest user since the 1980’s.

Campus Facilities Summary: 2007Categories and % of Total Gross Square Feet

The pie chart illustrates the 2007 allocation of campus space.

Chronology of Change

Timeline and illustrated campus maps

http://www.cpec.wmich.edu/planning/WebSites/CampusandBuildingInformation.htm

1903 -

1905

• 1903: State’s fourth normal school, Western State Normal School, awarded to Kalamazoo, MI

• 1904: 20 acres on Prospect Hill donated by the city of Kalamazoo

• 1904: enrollment of 107• 1904: Dwight B. Waldo, President• 1905: First building completed

1905 - 1925• 1917: Campus

expands to north side of Oakland Drive

• 1922: Kleinstuck Preserve (48 acres) donated by Caroline Kleinstuck

• 1925: 8 academic buildings plus athletic fields and cable car; approximately 40 acres; enrollment of 2,235

1925 - 1938• 1925 to 1938: no new

construction• 1927: becomes

Western State Teachers College

• 1936: Paul V. Sangren, President

Note: On this and all subsequent slides, facilities constructed, renovated or

acquired since the previous illustration are shown in gold,

existing in blue.

1938 - 1940• 1938: Walwood Union

and Dormitory for Women opens, first campus housing

• 1939: Waldo Stadium and Hyames Field constructed

• 1940: 15 buildings; 60+ acres plus outlying properties; enrollment of 2,550

Note: On this and all subsequent slides, facilities constructed,

renovated or acquired since the previous illustration are shown in

gold, existing in blue.

1940 -

1952

• 1941: becomes Western Michigan College of Education• 1944: 155 acres north and west of campus purchased with

donations from Ann Carstens Kanley and the Upjohn Foundation, and with funds approved by the Michigan Legislature

• 1948: first West Campus construction; Burnhams Residence Halls

1952 -

1957

• 1955: becomes Western Michigan College• 1955: Campus expands north of West Michigan Avenue• 1957: becomes Western Michigan University• 1957: 60 buildings; 250+ acres plus outlying properties;

enrollment of 8,036

1957 -

1964

• 1959: Campus expands further north and west, acquiring North (Goldsworth) Valley and the Gateway Golf Course

• 1959: University Farm (Lee Baker Farm) deeded to WMU from State (276 acres)

• 1961: James W. Miller, President• 1964: 76 buildings; approximately 400 acres plus

outlying properties; enrollment of 13,556

1964 -

1970

• 1968: Grand opening and dedication of University Auditorium and Liberal Arts Plaza

• 1968: expansion to the east; construction of Stadium Drive Apartments

• 1970: “Campus Development Plan”; crafted by President Miller and the Faculty Advisory Committee on Campus Planning

• http://www.cpec.wmich.edu/planning/WebSites/1970/CampusDevelopmentPlan/index.htm

1970 1970

1972 • 1972: West Michigan

Avenue closed on campus; Howard Street extended from Stadium Drive to West Main Street

• 1972: Campus begins expansion north of West Michigan Avenue, east of Howard Street

• 1972: 80 buildings; approximately 450 acres plus outlying properties; enrollment of 22,971

1972 -

1983

• 1974: John T. Bernhard, President• 1974: Campus expands south of Howard Street;

construction of Lawson Ice Arena / Gabel Natatorium

1975 – 1977

UniversityFarms

• 1975 – 1977: Lee Baker Farm expands with State transfer of Colony Farm and Psychiatric Hospital Farm (Asylum Lake); total of 604 acres

1983 -

1987

• 1983: Property transfer from State; Psychiatric Hospital property south of Oliver Street

• 1985: Diether H. Haenicke, President• 1987: 90+ buildings; approximately 500 acres plus

outlying properties; enrollment of 21,747

1987 -

1997

• 1990: Beginning of series of projects to renovate academic buildings constructed in 1950’s and 1960’s

• 1994: State transfers Psychiatric Hospital Power Plant to WMU

• 1997: 100+ buildings, approximately 500 acres Main Campus plus outlying properties; enrollment of 25,699

• 1988: Grand Rapids Regional Center acquired

• 1992: Kendall Center acquired in Battle Creek, MI

• 1997: Expansion and relocation of School of Aviation to Battle Creek, MI

1987 – 1997Regional

Campuses

• 1998: Property transfer from State; 100 acres becomes Oakland Drive Campus; 55 acres leased back to Kalamazoo Regional Psychiatric Hospital

• 1998: Elson S. Floyd, President

1997 - 2000

Illustration of concepts

The 2001 Western Michigan University Master Plan resulted from two years of meetings, interviews, and research, overseen by the University’s Department of Campus Planning, conducted by master plan consultants SmithGroup

JJR, Inc. The process involved University faculty, staff, students and alumni as well as representatives of the city of Kalamazoo, neighborhood groups, and interested member of the community.

2000 Campus Master Planhttp://www.cpec.wmich.edu/planning/masterplan/

2000 - 2003

• 2000: Parkview Campus, new home for College of Engineering and Applied Sciences, and Business, Technology and Research Park created from Lee Baker Farm

• 2002: WMU Southwest constructed on Lake Michigan College campus

• 2003: Judith I. Bailey, President

2003 -

2007

• 2005: 1st construction on Oakland Drive Campus, College of Health and Humans Services building

• 2007: John M. Dunn, President• 2007: 120+ buildings; approximately 500 contiguous

acres on Main Campus; 270+ acres on Parkview Campus; enrollment of 24,841

Photo and Image Collage: 1903 to 2003

Western Michigan UniversityCAMPUS PLANNING

April 2007http://www.cf.wmich.edu/planning/

http://www.cf.wmich.edu/planning/default.htm