Analysis of the Consolidated Master Plan for the University of the District of Columbia

A previous report expressed concern about the uncertainties of the University of the District of Columbia's (UDC) enrollment projections and its resulting space requirements. The initial projections were based on three different methods of calculating future enrollments and resulted in estimates ranging from 9,500 to 9,800 as compared with UDC enrollment projection of 12,974. The UDC revised master plan now provides for incremental construction, but the new plan still presents a target enrollment of about 13,000 full-time students. Because of problems noted in the survey design and methodology, the plan may not provide an adequate basis for making enrollment projections. The prior report concluded that UDC could be planning to construct facilities in excess of its needs; that situation may still exist. The revised plan does not discuss what consideration has been given to use of existing-owned and public school facilities in lieu of new construction and leaves as uncertain the space to be constructed at the Mt. Vernon Square campus. UDC has projected space requirements without complete information on which to estimate enrollment by program or department. Its space needs could probably be satisfied at less cost through use of existing-owned and public school facilities. On the other hand, noneconomic benefits would probably accrue through the construction of new facilities at Mt. Vernon Square.