Physical Plant
Physical Plant
Space at the University is shared space for all entities and must be utilized in a coordinated effort in order to maintain efficient utilization of this valuable resource. When space needs to be adjusted to accommodate the needs of the University, a formal request must be submitted to the Office of the Provost with the Design and Space Review Request form via the Mach form link below. The University’s Design & Space Review Committee will review the request and respond appropriately.
To submit a request:
1. Download and complete the form found here: Request Form
2. Obtain the necessary documentation and signatures.
3. Scan the completed form and upload here: Design & Space Review Request
Additional Information:
Committee By-laws (PDF)
Committee Members (PDF)
The purpose of the Planning Principles is to guide the development of The University of Southern Mississippi. The Planning Principles and tenets express the vision and mission of the University and are intended to span decades of change while also serving as an ongoing guide to incremental decisions with regard to consistency and long-term planning strategy for all Southern Miss locations. These principles guide the University’s essential obligation to protect its unique built and environmental assets, through program planning, land use planning, sustainability planning and historic preservation.
• The character of the historic buildings at all locations will be preserved.
• The significant open spaces at all locations will be protected and enhanced.
• The nature of the original historic fabric of the University will be maintained,
preserved and carefully safeguarded with respect to the future use and occupancy of
historic buildings and landscapes.
• Participation in capital projects will appropriately maintain, renovate and/or adaptively
reuse historic buildings.
• Future buildings and landscape design should complement the positive precedents
of the adjacent buildings and open spaces.
• The scale, massing, proportions and materials utilized in adjacent buildings and
open spaces will be considered in future designs.
• The university will implement sustainable land use practices and densities to control
expansion, to conserve space, to maintain the contextual qualities of the campus and
to favorably maintain a positive symbiotic relationship with the community within
which the University resides.
• All locations will be developed as learning environments, emphasizing flexibility,
innovation, collaboration and social engagement.
• All locations will be planned and designed to engage populations and individuals
of all abilities and to enhance the experience of visitors through outreach efforts,
improved accessibility, expanded accessible routes, an integrated signage system and
optimized way-finding efforts.
• Integrate student life and academic spaces, including landscaping, where informal
gatherings, collaboration and social interaction can occur.
• Architectural planning and design will facilitate views of outdoor spaces.
• Nodes of interaction between the University and community will be established in
a manner which is mutually beneficial.
• Physical developments will incorporate compliance with applicable codes and will
consider other measures to ensure a sense of well-being and to provide environmental
controls that create a safe and secure sense of place.
• The University will work toward achieving sustainable/maintainable mechanical, electrical
and plumbing systems within a workable utility infrastructure that is planned for
the future.
• Landscape architecture will be developed to enhance the pedestrian environment,
provide shade, and address environmental impacts that include stormwater, habitat
and air quality.
• Architectural and renovation projects will be designed to conserve energy and respond
to the climate through building orientation and color, shade and roof form.
• Planning for future buildings and renovations shall consider sustainable design
goals to minimally include energy conservation, use of local resources and environmental
stewardship.
• Sustainability/maintainability efforts will be embedded through governance, culture,
and education, as well as in operational areas of planning, design, construction,
transportation, food service, energy use, water use, waste and recycling.
• The University will employ a coordinated approach to inter-campus and intra-campus
circulation systems that will include pedestrian, bicycle, electric cart, transit,
automobile, service, disability and emergency access.
• In conjunction with efforts to increase campus residential life, the University
will promote existing and new pedestrian-oriented environments emphasizing accessibility,
shade, safety, security and comfort with a goal of achieving easy access to academic
destination points.
• Strategically located concentrated parking facilities will be placed at peripheral
locations and linked to the academic core via the enhanced pedestrian network.
• The University will sustain and improve access to technology at all locations.
• Current and emerging technologies will be incorporated into campus designs.
• Implementation of live and online instructional delivery methods, wireless access,
security systems and energy management controls will be seamlessly integrated to meet
the changing needs of the University community.
• Academic facilities will be concentrated in the pedestrian core of campus, will
consider locational advantages and will be linked via pedestrian networks to all campus
areas.
• Planning for renovation of existing buildings/facilities, as well as development
of new buildings/facilities, should address the long- term needs of the University
and meet the current standards for energy efficiency and workplace quality.
• Residential living opportunities should be located in relation to student amenity
and support facilities.
• Planning for new facilities shall account for/address comprehensive operational
costs.
• Planning of future facilities will consider the re-purposing, displacement and/or
replacement of existing uses.
• Strategically repurposing of facilities to provide temporary swing space that meets
the needs of the University by providing flexibility in phasing.
• Planning for future facilities will emphasize continuity of operations based on
regional topography and functional insights gained through experiences with previous
natural disasters.
• The Plan should maintain or improve upon the existing land use relationships with
the surrounding commercial and residential districts in order to facilitate growth
opportunities that are mutually beneficial to, and compatible with, the local community.
• Partnership ventures should be carefully considered relative to their impact on
the University’s academic enterprises with regard to increased opportunities for economic,
cultural, housing, recreation and other community assets.
• A Master Planning Committee and a Design and Utilization Review Committee will be
established to assist University administrators in implementing the Planning Principles
(see Section 4.3 for details).