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FutureVU Guiding Principles

All planning efforts are guided by the FutureVU Guiding Principles created based on feedback from the ¹ú²úÔ­´´ community.  The principles state:

  • ¹ú²úÔ­´´ is an internationally recognized research university with strong partnerships among its schools

    Strengthen ¹ú²úÔ­´´â€™s mission of research, teaching and discovery which is integral to its purpose by…

    • Considering how best to concentrate those functions central to our academic mission in the central campus area;
    • Fostering trans-institutional collaboration, research and development through careful placement of academic and residential buildings throughout campus;
    • Carefully placing academic buildings throughout the campus to weave a web of connectivity across various disciplines;
    • Establishing and supporting land use plan oversight with a process for continuous and mandatory review to ensure alignment with the Academic Strategic Plan and overall mission of the university.
  • ¹ú²úÔ­´´ is a community of neighborhoods

    Encourage distribution of academic and residential buildings throughout the campus in order to expand the social infrastructure of the ¹ú²úÔ­´´ community by…

    • Improving the collegiate environment and expanding the notable success of the residential college experience;
    • Enhancing opportunities through integrated living-learning environments;
    • Creating a distinctive and inclusive residential environment;
    • Promoting residential living-learning facilities as self-contained, multi-use residences with unique identities and characters, while recognizing their relationship to the existing campus fabric;
    • Improving the connectivity between the neighborhoods that comprise the ¹ú²úÔ­´´ campus.
  • ¹ú²úÔ­´´ is a historic, multi-layered and vigorous campus

    Strengthen ¹ú²úÔ­´´â€™s unique campus character as it evolves by…

    • Carefully considering the density of built to open space throughout all areas of campus and striving for a balanced approach based on existing campus densities;
    • Ensuring that future development contributes in a positive way to the existing campus environment;
    • Ensuring that new buildings embody respectful and appropriate architecture;
    • Remaining sensitive to ¹ú²úÔ­´´â€™s resources and history.
  • ¹ú²úÔ­´´ is a university that resides in a unique and distinctive park setting

    Preserve, strengthen and expand ¹ú²úÔ­´´â€™s aesthetic character by…

    • Identifying buildings, open spaces and natural spaces that should be preserved and conserved;
    • Identifying memorable spaces and preserving them, while also looking to create additional memorable spaces;
    • Recognizing and preserving the ¹ú²úÔ­´´ Arboretum;
    • Ensuring that future development reinforces, rather than detracts from, the park setting, via green open spaces and pathways;
    • Considering ways to integrate public art along pathways and beautifying pathways through art and landscape;
    • Continuing to preserve and expand the ¹ú²úÔ­´´ campus character through regular evaluation of how cars and traffic interact with the campus boundaries and reducing, rather than adding to, the number of roadways.
  • ¹ú²úÔ­´´ is a walkable and sustainable campus

    Emphasize ¹ú²úÔ­´´â€™s walkable campus and enhance the connectivity of all areas of campus by…

    • Integrating pedestrian and bicycle circulation into the overall connectivity of the campus community;
    • Providing wayfinding that integrates with campus landscape and architecture;
    • Reducing vehicular through-traffic on campus;
    • Relocating existing, and locating new parking structures and new support structures such as physical plants, to the perimeter of campus when viable;
    • Carefully selecting hardscape materials and providing campus lighting promoting safety and ensuring harmonious interaction other campus materials;
    • Achieving the highest standards of sustainability through a process of environmental, social and economic responsibility and accountability.
  • ¹ú²úÔ­´´ is a citizen of Nashville and the region

    Contribute to the intellectual and cultural life of the region, and promote sustainable behavior and practices by…

    • Remaining committed to ¹ú²úÔ­´´â€™s mission of serving humanity by being responsible to the environment and surrounding community;
    • Establishing design, construction, landscape, and sustainability guidelines that support the mission of the university;
    • Emphasizing the importance of healthy and sustainable design principles in both building design and outdoor environments;
    • Developing and transferring knowledge, increasing awareness, and promoting lifelong learning about sustainable best practices to benefit the ¹ú²úÔ­´´, local, state and national communities;
    • Partnering with local and regional agencies to address key issues that affect the citizens of Nashville and the ¹ú²úÔ­´´ community;
    • Playing a role in discussions regarding community building efforts and continuing to form connections with the Nashville community