When EWU alums visit their alma mater these days, they naturally go to see their familiar haunts from days gone by. But more and more, they are also drawn by all the remarkable changes all across campus. And as if the remodeled library, new mall and refurbished Monroe Hall weren't enough, other exciting projects are underway now which will continue to enhance the face of our Cheney campus.

Many of these changes (which will be covered more fully in our fall issue of Perspective) are the result of two key factors which figured prominently in the planning process completed last year. First, was the conscious effort to react to increasing numbers of students and convert EWU from a commuter to a residential campus. Second, was the desire to forge stronger ties between the university and the city of Cheney.

During the period of January to June 2000, the campus community and citizens of Cheney commented on proposals that might become part of an EWU Master Plan.

"As a result," says Mike Irish, Associate Vice President for Facilities and Planning, "we have more than 70 projects to take place on campus over the next few years."

The single largest campus project will be the renovation/reconstruction of Cheney Hall to provide the campus with vastly improved facilities for computer science and computer engineering programs at Eastern. (See story in the Fall 2000 issue of Perspective).

But other large projects will similarly change the profile of the campus. One of these will be to create a focal point on the campus – an "official" entry near the mall entrance and the student services and administration buildings.

"There are several ways to enter the Eastern campus," says Irish. "But it's important to have one focal point, one formal point of entry. Most great universities have created this sort of 'gateway' to the campus. It's partly a signage problem, and new, more concise signs will direct people through downtown and up to the new entry point," Irish explains.

Another part of the plan includes extension of the campus mall to Sixth Street, where a visitor center will welcome guests and incoming students.

All planning has to recognize the changing face at Eastern – from a university where most students commuted from Spokane, to one in which the majority live right on campus or in Cheney.

"A residential campus has to provide a centralized, convenient academic area," says Irish. "Any potential facility used by students has to be a 15-minute walk or less from the center of campus."

To create a more visible tie in to Cheney, a pathway between downtown Cheney and the campus along College Street will consist of brick pavers and "turn of the century" lighting from Showalter to the Pillars of Hercules. Eventually, the same look will be carried down the sidewalks to Cheney's First Street.

Why is all this happening now? Irish cites several reasons:

• New leadership at EWU
• New leadership in Cheney
• A refocusing of energies toward a residential campus
• The city of Cheney received a grant for beautifying its downtown core, and EWU contributed matching funds.

One of the most exciting aspects to the growing links between EWU and the city of Cheney is that Eastern students will play a role. According to Bill Ponder, Associate Vice President of Enrollment Services at Eastern, "The Higher Education Coordinating Board has provided grant money for direct student involvement in every phase of the development of the current project and future projects."

Other campus projects include the renovation of Tawanka Hall to house numerous student services and utilizing the open area framed by Cheney Hall, JFK Library, Reid School and the Fine Arts complex for outdoor concerts and other events.

Even off-campus parking is being addressed in the master plan, notes Irish. "We don't experience quite the problems that they have in Pullman, and we do have plenty of parking already, but some people just want that number one space. We're planning to get people as close to campus as we can."

In the Fall 2001 issue of Perspective, an in-depth feature will take a look at the campus and downtown Cheney projects which have been completed by that time, along with photos and additional schematics.