When Queen’s proposed replacing Kingston Field (now known as Nixon Field) with a new science building (Stirling Hall) in 1961, the response for student protesters was to hold a full-fledged funeral for their beloved green space.
The dramatics were so compelling that the University decided it was time to embark on a campus plan that considered how and where to expand academic buildings outside of the lower campus. This came at a time when The Journal had written to the administration and proposed adding 10 minutes for walking time between classes, recognizing that the campus would inevitably need to expand.
While on University Avenue, I recently overheard visiting alumni remark on how stunning our campus is, and that it contributes to the charm of being a Queen’s student. While I couldn’t agree more, we also know that there is a lot of work to be done.
We need to protect and add meaningful green space, prioritize walkability and accessible routes, and design growth that supports student well-being, rather than simply maximizing square footage. A campus plan may be all about the physical buildings, but my two cents are that, at its heart, it’s about community building. Queen’s students of today can take a lesson from those mourners in the 1960s by adding their voices to the conversation about campus planning.
At a high level, a campus master plan helps us ensure we have the capacity to accommodate growth in the student population and support research excellence. It also helps us define priorities for renewal, including which buildings need repairs, where new buildings may be needed, and when these projects should take place, based on the University’s top priorities.
There are many layers to consider, like protecting heritage and supporting our competitive goals as a nationally and globally competitive institution.
Our campus looks the way it does because of several distinct master plans. Some changes were for the better, like the newest residence on Albert Street that seamlessly integrates into the Kingston community, but others were for the worse, like the concrete jungle in and around Mac-Corry that appeared in the years following the world wars.
The latest official plan is from 2014 and had an update in 2021. But right now, Queen’s is embarking on its next revision. The decision to make a major modification to the plan, rather than to start from scratch like in previous eras, stems from the view that the plan is a living document and can be built upon.
While the plan is ultimately approved by the Board of Trustees, there are many levels of consultation and engagement before then. And students, being a primary consideration, are welcomed to openly share their ideas and dreams. Think big! Like a revitalized Four Directions Indigenous Student Centre with a Haudenosaunee longhouse. Or perhaps a multi-sport complex with an indoor track, hot yoga studio, study spaces, and nap pods.
It’s a once-in-a-decade opportunity for students to provide this type of input, given the frequency of reviews.
Thoughtful densification, better transit links, and sustainable design can accommodate academic needs while keeping the campus’s character intact. If students insist on these principles now, the University can grow its capacity and competitiveness without losing the charm that draws alumni and keeps us proud.
At your service,
Niki
Tags
Campus, campus master plan, community building, Rector's Digest
All final editorial decisions are made by the Editor(s) in Chief and/or the Managing Editor. Authors should not be contacted, targeted, or harassed under any circumstances. If you have any grievances with this article, please direct your comments to eic@queensjournal.ca.