Overturning legacy space models to revitalize, recruit, and grow without new construction

Pressures on higher ed have hit a tipping point, and unprecedented space reassignment and renovation plans are finally finding traction and delivering results. Bradley Angell illustrates four unconventional moves that UCSC made to support recruitment and program growth in Engineering despite a multi-year structural deficit and no budget for new construction. He details the use of low-tech analysis tables to drive equitable space reassignments; an operational redesign correcting failed circulation and layouts; relocating research teams from a newer, science-dominated building to an older engineering building, and aggressive lab consolidations, shared offices, and retrofits to attract growing P.I. portfolios. He provides critical guidance on navigating the political landscape and pushing through personal and organizational roadblocks.