Grand Forks herald., 1922-06-27

De, or is 1T, as MI Baker declares, substantially
rect?
| PLANNING FOR THE FUTURE.
The State Board of Administration has before
it the report-of the architect employed by it some
time ago to- prepare comprehensive plan for the
arrangement Of buildings and grounds for the Uni
versity of North Dakota, not for the immediate
present but for time far distant as it is possible
to foresee the needs Of the institution with any de-
gree OF accuracy. This plan provides for the ar
rangement of the principal buildings on the campus
along the east and west sides of great open space
which is to be treated decoratvely with the admin
istratve buildings running across the court near its
southern boundary. The plan contemplates the
substitution Of new buildings, differently situated,
for some of those which are now obsolete or are
rapidly becoming so, with the retention of the more
modern structures, and the enlargement of these as
the demand arises
The scheme is one which demands careful study
as to ITS general lines and its detail and the members
OF the board devotng their best attention to
it. While much remains to be considered in gen
eral way it may be said that the scheme presented
has created favorable impression, and it seems not
improbable that it may be adopted substantially as
prepared.
Whether this plan, modification of it, or
one entirely new shall be adopted the board is wise
IN Undertaking at this time comprehensive survey
OF the physical surroundings of the university, and
the possibilities which exist of developing the plant
along lines in keeping with the demands which arise
for several generations hence so that whatever is
done IN the way of construction from this time on
may be permanent part of the completed whole.
The university is growing institution In re-
cent years its growth has been very rapid and there
are excellent reasons for believing that its growth in
the coming years will be at least as rapid as in the
past. Systematic planning for the needs of grow.
ing institution is always desirable In the case of
such an institution as the versity, where provision
ffer l.
alton of both artistic harmony and of utility requires
that each part be properly related to the whole and
where changes will involve greater and greater cost
as the plant increases in size-it is imperative that
there be developed now plan which will be ade-
quate for the needs of long term of years. so that
the needs of both present and future may be served
effectively and economically.
1t is hoped that there may be done for the uni
verslty now on larger scale what it possible to
do for Wesley college when that institution was es-
tabished here. At that time Wesley college had
two advantages. One was that there were no old
buildings to obstruct the working out of future
plans and the other that was possible to visualize
IN some measure the probable needs of good MANY
years. Accordingly the buildings now on the Wes-
ley campus are units of plan involving the entire
territory, and, while additions may be made from
time to time, these will simply be steps toward the
complete working out of the'genera scheme
The same principles are involved in the plan
ming of university plant that are involved in the
planning of city. and lack Of this advance planning
along adequate lines-for which, often, no one is to
be censured-is costing immense sums annually in
the performance of that which otherwise would
have been unnecessary.
I Two instances of similar character come to
mind Chicago is spending scores of millions on the
Improvement of her water front in accordance with
the famous Burnham plan. Many square miles are
being reclaimed from the lake. and there are being
built drives, lagoons, shady Places and multitude
of things that will enhance the beauty of the city and
contribute to the health and happiness of it's people
Toronto, on a smaller scale, but in similar way, is
pushing its shore line out into the bay and is spend
ing $3o,00o,00o this Improvement Both are
magnificent pieces of work, but both would have
been unnecessary if those responsible for the early
shaping of their cities had been able to see into the
future, and to understand that the hamlets which
they helped to found would presently become the
great cities which they are, and which they are
Ito be. Then the water front in each case would have
been reserved in perpetuity for the people, and the
enormous cost Of building new land would have
been avoided.