Blog Overview

Rowan Growing Smart – Reflections on Rowan’s Campus Development

John Hasse, Ph.D. AICP

“Before Beginning, Plan Carefully”

Cicero - (Roman philosopher/orator)

Welcome to Rowan Growing Smart Blog - This Blog is intended to be a forum in which ideas and perspectives regarding Rowan University's pending unprecedented growth can be shared.  As a licensed professional planner, I have a particular interest in viewing the land development of Rowan's physical campuses, the layout of campus buildings and infrastructure, the architectural design of its buildings and the degree to which environmental protection and sustainability can be achieved as the campuses develop in the coming decade.

As founder of the Rowan Planning Bachelor of Science program, I believe that it is vital for the University to set an example to our students of how to engage the future through carefully considered planning decisions.  To this end, I am offering this blog for the university community to participate in a dialog about the planning decisions occurring now that will impact the campus and future students for decades to come.

Through this blog I hope to bring a level of planning awareness to the Rowan community and provide an overview of how the planning process is intended to work and best planning practices in NJ so that the voices and interests of all stakeholders can be incorporated into the development process.  Ultimately the most innovative, functional and cost effective outcomes with development occur when there is an open and full planning process.

I invite readers to consider whether Rowan's pending growth is occurring through a carefully considered and open planning process that will result in a future campus that best reflects the values and mission of Rowan University.  I hope that this blog gives you an avenue in which to ask questions and voice your opinions and ultimately contribute to Rowan's potential to grow smart during this unprecedented period of development.
I look forward to your participation -