For the past 18 months, Occidental College has engaged in a broadly inclusive effort to develop a 20-year campus master plan that furthers its academic mission, is responsible to the communities it serves, and meets city planning requirements.

On April 14, Occidental filed an Environmental Assessment Form (ENV-2006-3025-EAF), a brief summary of the master plan, with the Los Angeles City Department of Planning. This filing kicked off a review process that will result in the drafting of a full environmental impact report (EIR) of the college's proposed master plan. The EIR process is a public one, with opportunities for comment both before and after the draft is completed. The first official opportunity for public comment was a "scoping meeting" on Tuesday, Sept. 12 in Lower Herrick on the Occidental campus. This city-run meeting sought public comments regarding issues to be studied by the EIR. Although the publication of the draft EIR cannot be predicted with any certainty, we anticipate it will be ready this winter. The public will have at least 45 days to review the Draft EIR and submit comments.

After the public comment period is complete, a final EIR will be prepared and presented to the citywide Planning Commission, where the city's approval process begins. The primary project approval will be a specific plan and development agreement between Occidental and the city to govern implementation of the proposed master plan. Our best guess is that public hearings on the college's proposal -- which will include review by the City Council -- could begin in spring 2007. We anticipate that at least three public hearings will be held during the course of the city's approval process.

Occidental’s last master plan was completed in 1993, a plan which was not required to go through the city's land use approval process. The proposed master plan, drafted with the help of the internationally respected planning and design firm of Moule and Polyzoides, draws on comments collected at scores of meetings with students, faculty, staff, trustees, alumni, and neighbors, as well as public presentations to a wide range of community groups. Approved by Occidental's Board of Trustees on Dec. 6, 2005, it does not contemplate major changes in Occidental's scale or focus. We remain committed to our identity as a small, residential liberal arts college.

The chief goals of the master plan are laid out in the basic principles and “Five Big Ideas,” or strategies, that will guide future campus development. The accommodation of institutional needs, historic preservation, and sustainability are central to these goals. The master plan also describes almost two dozen specific projects for which the College will be seeking approval from the city.

If you have questions, concerns, or suggestions, please contact Jim Tranquada.