In the realm of campus planning, Harvard continues to show vision while Vandy’s campus bears the scars of poor decisions. Harvard University released a 50-year “Institutional Master Plan” involving the expansion of its campus by nearly 250 acres south of to the south of the Charles River into Boston’s Allston district this week. The plan focuses on a new science and research center, though it also includes museums, parks, housing, and other facilities. While some donors remain skeptical, the University’s $30,000,000,000+ endowment should make their concerns less significant. The first 20 years of projects along could total 5 million new square feet of space. Vanderbilt is a stark contrast to this vision. While the Department of Campus Planning and Construction employs a very qualified and dedicated staff, poor decisions and designs-by-committee abound on campus. Take everyone’s favorite white elephant: The Student Life Center. Vandy’s version of “the bridge to nowhere” sits on some of the most prime land this campus has to offer, yet the building boasts only two stories above grade. I know, I know, steel prices went up, costs were underestimated, etc. But is this an excuse to place a glorified office building in the center of campus? Other less-recent questionable decisions include placing Carmichael Towers in the current form on West End Avenue when land to the south of campus could not be acquired quickly enough and the expansion of the power plant at the campus core instead of moving the facility to the periphery and repurposing the land. Despite these lapses, Vanderbilt planners are to be commended for fending off some of the worst master plans ever created. Master plans, often commissioned by Vanderbilt and done by outside firms, have never truly resulted in much progress. Countless plans for Vanderbilt called for the demolition of Benson Science Hall, a central campus landmark and frequent cover-girl for admission propaganda. One plan from the 1960’s called for housing and classrooms as far away as 31st avenue south and Vanderbilt Place. Another called for most campus buildings to be connected by wide “boardwalks,” or pedestrian boulevards as wide as roads. Another earlier plan called for 25th Avenue south to end in a circle around the area of the current Student Life Center. While the shelving of these bizarre designs by Vanderbilt planners is surely a sign of their aptitude, it also proves that master plans are often quirky exercises and not practical tools. Harvard’s may prove the same, yet their historic vision diminishes this possibility. The most recent Vanderbilt master plan, commissioned only a few years ago, called for the reorientation of the campus to its geographical center. As a result, the Student Life Center and Ingram Studio Arts Center now occupy this area. The plan also mentioned, however, that the campus could simply expand onto current fallow lands without expanding in territory or compromising its green spaces; an assertion I find misguided at best. The current pattern of repurposing parking lots (Schulman Center, Blair Expansion, Ingram Studio Arts Center, VIIS) and adding four-story buildings atop six-story buildings (MRB IV) cannot last for much longer. While the latter may work well for medical center buildings, the central campus has become increasingly tight. Additions like the Buttrick Hall expansion have worked well, yet such additions bring up aesthetic issues and will become less feasible in the future. If Vanderbilt is to continue its trek onward and upward, the University must expand into surrounding areas once more. While the last round of campus expansion in the 1970’s left many locals with a sour taste in their mouths, future goals should not be sidelined by past errors. One possible area of expansion is the Scarritt-Bennett Center, site of the former Scarritt College until 1988 and currently owned by the United Methodist Church. The 10+ acres between 18th and 19th Avenues and south of Grand already have a collegiate feel and facilities (though outdated) could be rehabilitated and expanded. The proximity to Peabody campus and Central campus makes this area a clear choice for expansion. While the Center is not on the market, neither was much of the land Vanderbilt gained through purchase, negotiation, and eminent domain in the 1970’s. Further expansion south of the new Freshman Commons area is also a possibility. Another choice could be to hop Blakemore Avenue to the south. While these possibilities are simply that, we all realize that our campus and medical center are running out of room. Harvard has chosen to deal with its needs for the next 50 years today, and we should follow suit.