Comprehensive Standard 3.10.7: Adequate Physical Facilities

The institution operates and maintains physical facilities, both on and off campus, that are adequate to serve the needs of the institution's educational programs, support services, and mission-related activities.

Judgment of Off-Site Review Committee:  Non-Compliance

Comments: The committee finds that the institution operates facilities that are adequate to serve the needs of the institution’s educational programs, support services and other mission-related activities.  The institution’s facilities master plan is ten years old, and there is no documentation that the plan is being revised or followed on an on-going basis.  The institution has an appropriate maintenance plan for its facilities but lacks documentation that this plan is being followed or evaluated. 

The on-site committee should review evidence that the facilities master plan has been revised and is followed on an on-going basis.  Also, the on-site committee should review evidence that the facilities maintenance plan is being followed.

College Focused Response:  The committee had some concerns about the institution’s facilities master plan being ten years old, and there being no documentation that the plan was being revised or followed on an on-going basis.  The committee also expressed concern that, although the institution has an appropriate maintenance plan for its facilities it lacked documentation that the plan is being followed or evaluated.   Response to Master Plan Concerns: The diagram below shows the college’s 1995 Facilities Master Plan (right side) and the draft 2005 Facilities Master Plan on the left.  The buildings in blue indicate existing buildings; buildings in green, are those in design or construction; and the outlined buildings, indicate future development.  Comparing the two diagrams, it is evident that with only minor exceptions, the college has followed its 1995 year master plan and will continue to build on it with the 2005 - 2015 Facilities Master Plan. The revised 2005-2015 WCC Master Plan will be presented to the WCC Board of Trustees for approval on September 27, 2005.

In addition, excerpts from the Board of Trustees minutes beginning January 28, 2003 to January 27, 2004 and from the September 22, 2003 and October 15, 2004 annual Administrative Council retreat minutes is evidence that the Master Facilities Plan has been revised and is followed on an ongoing basis.

Response To Maintenance Plan Concerns: The college’s Maintenance Plan provides guidelines for ensuring the highest quality facilities in support of its institutional programs, services, and mission related activities.  The Plan outlines both preventative and routine maintenance procedures and checklists.  Maintenance logs, work order histories, and services contracts provide documentation of adherence to the plan.  The Plan is evaluated through customer satisfaction surveys and regular no notice inspections.  Facility Updates are also provided to the Board of Trustees at every meeting.  Since moving to the new campus in 1989, the college has never experienced any unscheduled cancellations or closures due to maintenance related issues.

As a result, the college certifies compliance with this comprehensive standard.