A groundbreaking plan

The USD Renaissance Plan spans over four years with five projects

Luke Garrett / News Editor / The USD Vista

Although a hard hat may not be an item on the class of 2023’s collective back-to-school shopping list, members of this incoming class may benefit from such a purchase. With the Renaissance Plan now in full swing, this four-year construction plan sets in stone consistent and major construction projects throughout the class of 2023’s tenure at the University of San Diego. 

The Renaissance Plan consists of five projects spread over the next four years: the renovation of Copley Library, Founders and Camino, and Olin Halls, as well as the construction of the Learning Commons and the Knauss Center for Business Education. Currently, only two of the mentioned projects are in the works — Copley’s renovation and the Learning Commons’ construction. Both are set to be complete in May 2020.  

Copley and Learning Commons

The renovation of Copley will bring an entirely new interior consisting of three classrooms, 38 collaborative spaces, and seating for over 1,000. According to Theresa S. Byrd, dean of the University Library, this portion of the library has not been renovated since 1985. Erin Borzage is the project manager for the library’s renovation and spoke directly to the effect this renovation will have on the class of 2023.

“This building provides to the class of 2023 what students in prior years have felt would have been beneficial to their college experience,” Borzage said. “They will be the first class to have it available for the entirety of their college education, allowing them to study and perform at their best from the day they arrive on campus.”

During this academic year, The Mother Hill Reading Room — also known as the Harry Potter Room — along with the Student Life Pavilion and Saints Tekakwitha and Serra Hall will serve as the temporary library spaces for undergraduate students, as they will remain open late into the evening each night. 

Only a hammer’s toss away and directly behind Copley, the Learning Commons is also being built on what was previously a grass field that was often used recreationally. Meaghan Christman, Learning Commons project manager, shared some highlights of the new educational space. 

“Students should look forward to the addition of 13 modern classrooms, various group and individual study areas spaced throughout the building, and the ability to access the building and fresh food on a 24 hour basis,” Christman said. “Lastly, students can gather at the fire pit located in the plaza between Copley and the Learning Commons.”

The university has also kept its promise to leave the 65 year-old podocarpus tree unscathed while the Learning Commons is being constructed. This promise was made to students and faculty alike after significant protest mounted against the tree’s destruction. The USD Vistareported that over 700 community members signed a petition demanding the tree be able live on amid the Learning Commons’ construction.

Construction and renovation will limit campus transit on Manion Way to north and eastbound one-way traffic. As students and faculty return to USD, two campus forums are scheduled for Sept. 24 and 26 to update the community with project information and adjustments.  

Renaissance Plan

This major campus-wide project, overseen by Ky Snyder, Vice President of Operations, is meant to line up with the university’s 75th year anniversary in 2024. The website dedicated to the project provides the campus community with plan overviews and updates. The mission and vision of the project are also written in full view. 

“At Alcalá Park, beauty and sustainability go hand in hand,” the website reads. “In order to reach USD’s vision as a contemporary Catholic university where innovative Changemakers confront humanity’s urgent challenges, the university must prepare for its future.”

In line with this mission, the Copley and Learning Commons projects are both Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Silver certified. Erin Borzage, Copley Project Manager, spoke directly to the sustainability of the Renaissance Plan as a whole. 

“Each Renaissance project presents unique opportunities to implement energy savings measures, whether lighting and ventilation, domestic water savings, storm water and rainwater management, building materials themselves, or ways the building’s design can benefit the health of occupants,” Borzage said. “One specific example is partnering with San Diego Gas and Electric’s ‘Savings by Design’ program to identify areas our projects can expand on energy-efficient designs.” 

Borzage also mentioned safety readiness as a key part of the campus-wide project. 

“As a part of the Renaissance Learning Commons project, a new Emergency Operations Center (EOC) is planned so that in a critical situation trained individuals can mobilize quickly to assess and respond to any issues on campus,” Borzage said. 

With the Renaissance Plan still just beginning, more updates and changes are sure to come.