UNT Dallas 2020 Master Plan

CHAPTER 3 SPACE NEEDS PROJECTIONS AND PROGRAM
The renovated City of Dallas Municipal Building houses the College of Law. (Source: UNT Dallas)
COLLEGE OF LAW
For the College of Law, the space needs analysis
found there was sufficient instructional and office
space for current enrollment, but a deficit of study
and student life space. Total space needs amounted
to approximately 73,000 ASF, compared to existing
space of approximately 64,000 ASF. Space needs
were projected to be approximately 98,000 ASF at the
8,000-student enrollment milestone, and 120,000 ASF
at the 25,000-student milestone.
A question that emerged in the analysis was how much
space would be required for the College of Law library
collection, given current trends towards digital versus
physical resources. Research into collection practices
at other law libraries did not reveal specific metrics or
recommendations concerning the balance between
digital and hard copy materials. In discussions on this
topic, the College of Law librarian and dean advised
that the college plans to retain its current physical
collection and anticipates some growth, but that future
acquisitions were likely to be predominantly digital.
With this guidance, the librarian confirmed that it
would be reasonable to plan for growth of the physical
collection through to the 8,000-student milestone,
and to limit growth of that portion of the collection
for subsequent enrollment growth. This strategy
is reflected in the projections of library space
needs, which remain constant at the 8,000- and
25,000-student milestones.
The College of Law currently occupies the
former City of Dallas Municipal Building, and
additional space in the Lee F. Jackson building.
While the college has an option to expand in
the Municipal Building Annex, the total available
space is somewhat limited. Given potential space
constraints, the college will need to plan carefully
to ensure that future enrollment can be adequately
accommodated. In addition to limiting growth of the
library collection, strategies could include providing
shared or hotel-style office space for certain faculty
and staff positions, providing flexible, multi-purpose
space for student study, activity and collaboration
space, or leveraging the college's downtown Dallas
context to meet the need for retail and dining space
beyond the UNT Dallas Law Center, among others.
Space needs across each space use category
are illustrated in Figure 3.5 for current and future
enrollments at the College of Law. Aggregate ASF and
GSF space needs are shown in Figures 3.6 and 3.7.
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UNIVERSITY OF NORTH TEXAS DALLAS