To the Greater Easton Community:
On Tues., Oct. 11, Lafayette President Nicole Farmer Hurd hosted an engaging conversation with members of the local community. The College was thrilled to welcome so many friends to campus to share in the discussion about collaborative opportunities that exist between the College, neighbors, and the City of Easton.
As was shared at the meeting, Lafayette has engaged the SmithGroup to help assess campus needs and goals, and to formulate a master plan that guides development over the next 10 or more years. This significant and necessary undertaking will address academic, athletic, residential, and administrative functions as well as areas of campus life such as facilities, dining, transportation, parking, pedestrian movement, infrastructure and utilities, sustainability, and the road to carbon neutrality. The College will undertake the bulk of this planning work during the 2022-23 academic year, with a focus on obtaining extensive input from students, faculty, staff, and neighbors in the local community. Please keep an eye on email for announcements regarding an opportunity for community members to have input into the plan.
Lafayette is also beginning a strategic planning process that will help to establish academic, administrative, and strategic priorities. This plan will help to inform the process as the College begins to develop a campus master plan and chart out a long-term vision for the evolution and development of the facilities and spaces that serve every facet of its mission.
Additionally, the College is committed to hiring a staff member dedicated to supporting community relationships. This critical role will ensure that Lafayette continues to be a good neighbor and helps facilitate these important, ongoing conversations between the College and the community. This job will be posted in the near future, with a plan to have a staff member in place prior to the new year.
This productive meeting was another step forward in the College’s efforts to connect with local residents.