University of Cumbria, The Learning Gateway, Carlisle

This Case Study was undertaken in early 2007, at which point the institution was known as St. Martin's College - now part of the University of Cumbria, formed in August 2007.

Lessons Learned

• Ideally staff working on the project team should be seconded to it for a proportion of their time (if resources allow)
• Check and double check specifications even if contracted to a third party
• Allow sufficient time for testing and kit out after the building has been handed over
• Manage the expectations of stakeholders throughout
• Recruit staff earlier than you think to allow training and orientation
• Large laptop trolleys have been too heavy to move around the building regularly, this has caused difficulties during low staffing periods. By having small laptop trolleys for moving the equipment we can shift the equipment round more easily and even ask academic staff to move their laptops themselves
• It would have been useful to have included hot drinks facilities and additional plumbing so existing facilities could be extended in the future (discarded from the design for economy of scale as there is a cafeteria facility next door)
• Greater variations in room sizes would have enabled small groups of students to use private spaces without needing to book a larger space (moveable walls were discussed but found to be too expensive)
• More of an induction in the facilities at the start of their courses/in welcome week was needed. (we are addressing this)
• Additional power sockets for personal laptops (non-wireless) or other equipment to be plugged into safely without cables trailing the floor. (Students are able to configure their laptops to wi-fi if they have a compatible wireless network card).