LICC Campus Master Plan - ulicaf

Campus Master Plan 

Liberia International Christian College 

Ganta City, Nimba County, Republic of Liberia 

2012 Update 

12/3/2012 Liberia International Christian College | Campus Master Plan 1

TABLE OF CONTENTS 

Introduction 3 

College Overview 7 

Existing Campus 12 

The Plan 18 

Design Rationale 27 

References 40 


INTRODUCTION 


EXECUTIVE SUMMARY 

From June 23 to July 5, 2008, a design team from Engineering 

Ministries International of Colorado Springs, Colorado, USA, visited 

the campus of the Liberia International Christian College in Ganta 

City, Nimba County, Republic of Liberia. The team spent its time 

"understanding the vision of LICC, assessing the site, researching 

construction materials, practices and resources, and initiating the 

design effort" (2009, p.5). The result of this effort and subsequent 

reviews and revisions was EMI Project #5463, published in July, 

2009. 

Since the creation of the EMI Plan, the student population has 

tripled in size, several buildings and facilities have been built or are 

under construction, the Liberia Ministry of Education has 

accredited the school to grant Associates Degrees, and the College 

has been blessed with new partnerships, programs, and wise 

counsel. As a result, the College has chosen to update its Campus 

Master Plan in conjunction with the creation of a new Strategic 

Plan. 


INTRODUCTION 

This document contains the longrange 

Campus Master Plan for the 

Liberia International Christian College. 

It is built on the foundation of the 

Strategic Plan and serves as an Annex 

to it. 

This Plan depicts the campus as it 

might appear in 10 years, based on a 

current understanding of facility space 

requirements and development 

priorities for the future. 


GOAL AND OBJECTIVES 

Goal 

The goal of this plan is to allow the campus to grow in an orderly, 

well-conceived manner that will make the best use of the site to 

serve stakeholder needs. 

Objectives 

1. Provide a beautiful campus that promotes study, 

community, and spiritual growth. 

2. Allow construction projects to be funded and developed in 

a phased manner over time. 

3. Minimize the disruption of noise and traffic from athletic 

and public areas on study areas. 

4. Minimize utility expenses by using natural light and 

ventilation. 

5. Minimize travel time between campus venues. 

6. Protect the environment from groundwater contamination. 

7. Provide easy access to services offered to Nimba County 

residents. 


COLLEGE OVERVIEW 


LIBERIA HISTORY 


HISTORICAL SUMMARY 

In the year 2000, Dr. Sei and Mrs. Yah 

Buor along with many other Liberian 

refugees started the United Liberia 

Inland Church Associates and Friends, 

the parent organization of the LICC. 

Then, in 2004, Dr. Sei Buor had a vision 

to start a Christian College in Liberia, 

West Africa. 

Planning for the College was 

undertaken in 2004-2007, the first 

floor of the Classroom Building was 

completed in 2008, and the College 

opened its doors with 74 students and 

8 faculty and staff in March, 2009. 

On January 29, 2012, the College held 

its first graduation and 53 students 

received Associates Degrees 


VISION, MISSION, 

AND CORE VALUES 

Mission Statement 

Liberia International Christian College 

exists to ensure a Christ-centered 

learning community for equipping 

Christians through effective Biblical 

and higher education to do the work 

of Christ across nations. 

Vision Statement 

Liberia International Christian College’s 

vision is a learning community where 

members realize hope and opportunity 

by experiencing the transforming love 

of God. Isaiah 61:1-7 

Core Values 

Comprehensive Biblical Education. We are called to provide a holistic learning 

experience for life, beginning with the mind and including a comprehensive 

discipleship that result in an effective witness for Christ. We seek to nurture students 

to become spiritually mature and biblically informed persons who make well-reasoned 

and wise intellectual and moral judgments, thereby equipping and motivating them to 

tackle real-world problems. 2 Timothy 3:15-17 

Faculty and Staffing. We seek committed Christian faculty and staff members who 

strive to grow continuously in their faith and Christian perspective on learning, who 

demonstrate effective teaching skills, who commit themselves to foster the total 

development of students as individuals, and who practice scholarship as a contribution 

to the education of a larger constituency. 1 Timothy 3:2-12, Titus 1:6-9 

Christ-Centered Community. We are called to model Christ-centeredness in all that 

we do. The way we treat people should be consistent with the morals, justice, 

compassion, humility, and love of our Lord. We seek to reflect the richness of his 

people drawn from “every tribe, tongue and nation;” and, the importance of collective 

efforts of believers regardless of racial or tribal affiliations in achieving 

results. Interaction with students should both reflect an attitude of service to them as 

individuals and take advantage of opportunities for mentoring and modeling and 

personal development. Acts 2:44-47, 1 Corinthians 12:4-30, John 13:12-17 

Church Connectedness. We are called to serve the Church because we believe that the 

Church is God's central vehicle to accomplish his work in the world. Our vision for 

serving the Church is a global vision, just as God's vision for his Church is global. A 

particular value affecting Liberian International Christian College work is to identify 

and meet the educational needs of the Christian Church. Matthew 28:19 

Cultural Engagement. We seek to bring faith, life, and learning to bear on the issues 

facing our culture. Our perspective is one of engagement with culture from a Christcentered 

and biblically rooted foundation. We are committed to high standards of 

research, scholarship, thinking, and living as a means of preparing students to engage 

the world and to respond honestly and earnestly to those in a multiethnic 

society. Acts 17:22-31 


ENROLLMENT, STAFF, AND 

DEGREE PROJECTIONS 

Consideration 2013 2018 2023 

Students Living Off-Campus 150 475 800 

Students Living On-Campus 0 100 200 

Full-Time Faculty 1 4 10 

Adjunct Faculty 12 18 22 

AS Degrees 3 5 8 

BS Degrees 0 4 8 


EXISTING CAMPUS 


AERIAL VIEW 

At right is a 2009 view of the LICC 

campus, made from the best aerial 

photographs available. 

Not shown is a new main road running 

from West to East just to the left of the 

picture. 


TOPOGRAPHIC FEATURES 

In 2009, Engineering Ministries 

International developed a topographic 

plan of the College site. 

Site elevations range from 1960 feet 

at right to 2008 feet at left (a 48 foot 

drop). This covers a range of 

approximately 1100 feet, resulting in a 

4.3% grade that can be terraced easily 

as needed. 

A creek runs through the steep valley 

at the top of the picture, and swamp 

lands are located to the right and 

bottom of the picture. 

Circa 2010, a Bangladeshi engineering division of the 

UN Mission in Liberia (UNMIL) graded a soccer field 

just to the lower right of the gray box representing the 

Classroom Building in the picture. 


2009 MASTER PLAN 

This is the Master Plan developed by 

Engineering Ministries International in 

2009. 


2012 “AS-BUILT” PLAN 

The LICC campus as it was in the Fall of 

2012 is shown at right. 

Departures from the 2009 Plan 

include: 

• The Community Research Center 

was moved next to the Classroom 

Building because of its academic 

use (library on the first floor, 

computer classrooms on the 

second floor). 

• The athletic fields were built in a 

different position as a result of site 

grading. 

• The flag pole was constructed 

closer to the center of campus than 

the original plan. 

• An Agricultural 

Education Center is 

planned for close 

proximity to the 

demonstration fields. 


EXISTING FACILITIES 

Existing facilities are constructed and 

in use, under construction, or 

designed. 

Designed facilities have been located 

on the site, although the location will 

not be finalized until groundbreaking. 

Facility 

Unit 

Sq Ft Status 

Classroom Building 15,757 Done 

Faculty Guest House 1,254 Done 

Generator Building 304 Done 

Security Guard Home 1,050 Done 

Soccer Field 35,300 Done 

Volleyball Court 3,275 Done 

Community Research Center 9,990 Under Construction 

Flag Pole 2,462 Under Construction 

Agricultural Education Center 10,803 Designed 

Student Center 1,901 Designed 


THE PLAN 


DESIGN PRINCIPLES 

The following principles guided the 

development of this Plan. 

They will continue to guide the design 

and development of individual 

facilities as this Plan is implemented. 

Design Principles 

1. Start Small and Grow. All growth shall be 

sustainable initiating only those projects that can 

be supported by adequate by partner funding, 

staff oversight, and stakeholder participation. 

This is the overarching principle. 

2. College Mission. All projects must support the 

College Mission, be consistent with its Core 

Values, and move it towards the fulfillment of its 

Vision. Rationale: This is a best practice. 

3. Full Funding. No construction shall start until it 

has been fully funded. Construction shall halted 

should funds be exhausted. Rationale: To prevent 

the College from incurring debt. 

4. Prioritized Construction. On all scales – from the 

campus to the facility – projects shall be 

prioritized by stakeholder need. 

5. Phased Construction. Projects shall be planned 

in phases so that each phase can be funded and 

completed in its entirety. Rationale: To minimize 

the amount of unfinished construction. 

6. Site Repair. No project shall be authorized which 

has the potential to harm the environment or 

otherwise leave the campus in worse condition 

on completion than when it was begun. 


DESIGN PATTERNS 

Design patterns amplify the design 

principles, and they serve as 

acceptance criteria to assure that the 

Master Plan is of high quality. 

Design Patterns 

Christopher Alexander and his associates have developed a 

series of design principles known as "patterns." He states 

that: 

• "Each pattern describes a problem which occurs over and 

over again in our environment, and the describes the core of 

the solution to that problem… 

• "The patterns are ordered, beginning with the very largest, 

for regions and towns, then working down through 

neighborhoods, clusters of buildings, buildings, rooms and 

alcoves, ending finally with details of construction." [PL] 

Detailed descriptions of each design pattern are presented 

in the Design Standards. 


LOCATION MAPS 

The LICC is located in Ganta City, 

Nimba County, Republic of Liberia. 

In 2008, the city of Ganta had a 

population of 41,106, and Nimba 

County had a population of 468,088 

(Liberia Institute of Statistics and Geo- 

Information Services, 2008, pp. 1 & 

17). 


PLANNED FACILITIES 

Planned facilities, based on College 

goals and objectives, are shown in the 

table at right. 

Size and number of planned facilities is 

conceptual only. 

Facility 

Unit 

Sq Ft 

No of 

Units 

Total 

Sq Ft 

Administration Building 11,810 1 11,810 

Administration Building Expansion 2,700 1 2,700 

Athletic Center 26,500 1 26,500 

Book Store 948 1 948 

Chapel 18,000 1 18,000 

Classroom Buildings, Additional 3,004 6 18,024 

Clinic 1,800 1 1,800 

Community Research Center Expansion 2,955 1 2,955 

Dining Hall & Kitchen 6,600 1 6,600 

Dormitory (2-story, 56 people) 2,968 2 5,936 

Dormitory (2-story, 106 people) 6,128 1 6,128 

Faculty Guest House #2 2,052 1 2,052 

Guard Shack 211 1 211 

Staff Duplex Housing 2,850 5 14,250 

________ 

* Current Soccer Field and Volleyball Court are temporary. Permanent 

facilities will be landscaped. 

Staff Single-Family Housing 1,860 8 14,880 


GRADIENTS 

The campus has been divided into a 

number of gradients that represent 

degrees of activity, density, noise, and 

privacy. 

Gradient I is the most active, most 

dense, most noisy, and most public. 

Gradient IV is the least active, most 

sparse, most quiet, and most secluded. 


LAND USE STRATEGY 

Academic. Semi-public land 

committed academic use, such as the 

Classroom Building and Community 

Research Center. 

Agricultural. Supports agricultural 

education, including the Agriculture 

Education Center and demonstration 

fields. 

Athletic. Contains athletic facilities 

such as the Gym/Multipurpose 

Building and playing fields/courts. 

Community. Most public land use. 

Located at “front” of campus for easy 

community access. Includes facilities 

such as the Administration Building 

and Clinic. 

Support. College 

support functions, such 

as Security Guard House 

and Generator Building. 

High Density Housing. Dormitories 

and campus Dining Hall. 

Low Density Housing. Single 

and dual-family faculty and 

guest homes. 


LICC Campus Master Plan 


DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY 

The College’s “Start Small and Grow” approach and its 

strong community orientation preclude creation of a longterm 

phased building program. 

Rather, school and community needs will be assessed semiannually, 

prioritized, and approved for development as 

funds become available. 


DESIGN RATIONALE 


MAIN GATE 

As soon as LICC visitors turn off the 

road from Ganta to Monrovia, they will 

arrive at the Main Gate. 

The Main Gate marks the transition 

between greater Ganta and the 

campus neighborhood and serves as a 

symbolic welcome to the campus. 

For graduates, exiting through the 

Main Gate also symbolizes “going out 

into the world” for ministry. 

The Main Gate, flanked by a Perimeter 

Fence and accompanied by Guard 

Shack, also serves a security purpose. 


PARKING LOTS 

Immediately visible on passing through 

the Main Gate are the two campus 

Parking Lots. 

Although large parking lots are to be 

discouraged, these are included to 

allow for a pedestrian-oriented 

campus. 

The location of the Parking Lots 

allows visitors to leave their cars and 

begin walking immediately. 

. 


FLAG POLE 

The first structure seen by visitors is 

the Flag Pole, which flies the flags of 

Liberia, Nimba County, and the LICC. 

The Flag Pole will serve as an official 

greeting point for visiting dignitaries, 

as well as a place press conferences 

and other significant public events. 


ADMINISTRATION BUILDING 

Traditionally, the Administration 

Building is the most prominent 

building on a school campus. For this 

reason, it has been featured by 

locating it , along with the Chapel and 

Flag Pole, in the highest and frontmost 

positions on campus. 

The Administration Building Is also 

located forward and adjacent to a 

parking lot because most initial inperson 

contacts with the campus 

begin there (e.g. Admissions Office). 

The Administration Building Is shaped 

to allow for a courtyard that includes a 

shaded green space and a sunny patio. 

There is also room for an 

Administration Building 

Expansion just beyond. 


CHAPEL 

The Chapel will be the center of 

spiritual life at the LICC. For this 

reason, it has been assigned the third 

of the most prominent locations on 

campus. 

Because a large number of people 

from Nimba County are likely to attend 

services there, the Chapel is adjacent 

to one of the parking lots next to the 

Main Gate. 


PROMENADES 

The school has two main Promenades 

that serve as pedestrian streets. The 

Promenades draw people from the 

Parking Lots deep into the campus. 

One Promenade traverses the entire 

campus. 

A majority of campus activities happen 

along these paths, and most students, 

faculty, and staff will use them to get 

around campus. 


ACADEMIC QUADRANGLE 

The existing Classroom Building is 

framed by the Community Research 

Center (library, bookstore, and online 

learning center). There is ample space 

to expand the Community Research 

Center as the student population or 

the book collection grows. 

Space has also been set aside for 

constructing additional Small 

Classroom Buildings as the curriculum 

grows. They will be built around a 

courtyard with shaded green space 

and a sunny patio. 

The academic buildings form a large 

grassy Quadrangle that is the center of 

campus activity. The Promenades and 

other paths run tangent 

to the Quadrangle. 


STUDENT LIFE TRIANGLE 

Three Dormitories, a Dining Hall & 

Kitchen with patio and loading dock, 

and the Student Center with patio and 

Volleyball Court form a triangle that is 

the center of campus social life. 

Two Dormitories can house 56 single 

students in 4-person rooms, and one 

can house 106 students in 4-person 

rooms. 

The Student Center is conveniently 

located between the Dormitories and 

the Academic Quadrangle, and 

adjacent to the Athletic Facilities. 

Guests can sit on the patio to watch 

volleyball or soccer games. 


ATHLETIC FACILITIES 

The Athletic Facilities feature a 

Gymnasium/Multipurpose Building, a 

Soccer Field, and a Volleyball Court. 

The Gym is a short walk from the 

Parking Lots. 


AGRICULTURAL EDUCATION 

PROGRAM 

One side of the campus is sloped and 

swampy at the lower elevations. 

While not suitable for many purposes, 

it is perfect for agriculture. 

The Agricultural Education Center will 

be built into the side of the hill. On 

the lowest level will be the director’s 

quarters, with a one-car garage and 

walk-out access to a patio. The second 

level will have a large agriculture 

classroom . It will also have a kitchen 

and dining hall that will serve guests 

that will stay in the 28-person 

dormitory on the third level. 

The rest of the hillside and lowlands 

will be serve as an Agricultural 

Laboratory with 

demonstration plots and 

areas for animal 

husbandry. 


STAFF AND GUEST HOUSING 

The most distant part of the campus 

has been reserved for the most private 

activities. Single and Double Houses 

will be constructed on the gently 

slopping wooded hillside for faculty 

and staff. 

This area also includes the existing 

Faculty Guest House and it will also 

include a second one as the number of 

adjunct faculty grows. 

One of the two promenades , as well 

as a secondary path terminate here for 

easy access to the main part of 

campus. 

Additional housing will be 

provided near the Back 

Gate. 


SUPPORT AREA 

The Support Area is located in a part 

of campus that is somewhat isolated 

by a deep gulley. It contains the 

Security Guard Home and the 

Generator Building. 


REFERENCES 

Alexander, C., Ishikawa, S., Silverstein, M., et al. 

(1977). Pattern language. Oxford, UK: Oxford 

University Press. 

Alexander, C., Silverstein, M., Angel, S., Ishikawa, S., 

& Abrams, D. (1975). Oregon experiment. Oxford, 

UK: Oxford University Press. 

Engineering Ministries International. (2009). EMI 

project #5463. Denver, Co: Author. 

Liberia Institute of Statistics and Geo-Information 

Services. (2008). 2008 national population and 

housing census: Preliminary results. Monrovia, 

Liberia: Author. 

Schwartz, R. M. (Ed.) (2012). Liberia international 

Christian college. Retrieved from 

http://www.liberiainternationalcc.org 

Schwartz, R. M. (Ed.) (2012). United Liberia inland 

church associates and friends. Retrieved from 

http://www.ulicaf.org

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