WISCAPE forums planned

The construction cranes that wheel high above the campus skyline are evidence of a University of Wisconsin–Madison building boom unlike any since the 1960s.

Physical change has been a trend on campuses nationwide, and a Tuesday, Sept. 26, forum sponsored by the Wisconsin Center for the Advancement of Postsecondary Education (WISCAPE) will reflect on links between the design of a campus and its cultural, social and learning climate.

The free forum will be held from noon-2 p.m. in Room 4151, Grainger Hall, at 975 University Ave.

Speaking at the forum will be Jeff Stebar and Jeff Ziebarth, principal architects at the firm of Perkins and Will. Also participating will be Alan Fish, UW–Madison’s associate vice chancellor for facilities, and Daniel Okoli, university architect. Kenneth Frazier, the campus’ interim chief information officer, will moderate the discussion.

Speakers will examine the relationship between building design and student life and learning, current trends in university building design and the challenges of building facilities for the future.

WISCAPE is also sponsoring a noon-hour brown-bag forum on Wednesday, Sept. 27, at which state Rep. Mark Pocan will discuss “Higher Education and Future State Budgets.” That session will be held in Room 405 of the Education Building on Bascom Hill.

WISCAPE was established in 2001 to study the challenges confronting postsecondary education while bringing together university leaders, researchers, and policymakers to discuss issues and solutions.