Frequently Asked Questions
"When you enter the Steiner Campus, you will know you are entering a welcoming environment for learning."
CAPITAL CAMPAIGN Questions & Answer
Why a new campus for Middle and Upper School students?
Our talented teachers are at the heart of Rowland Hall’s extraordinary educational experience and our current Lincoln Street Campus is adequate. But just imagine the possibilities of our students learning in an inspirational environment designed for collaborative, project-based, 21st century learning with state-of-the-art technological capabilities. Spacious recreational facilities are a priority, as our current facilities demand that we rent space and bus students to other facilities for training and competition.
Why is it important for the entire school to be on one campus?
There are significant benefits to creating one campus large enough for our entire student body, reuniting a school that has been physically divided for nearly three decades. The new campus will support greatly enhanced student-to-student mentoring opportunities in which both young and older students gain self-esteem and leadership skills. One school in one location supports much greater integration of shared all-school programs such as technology, service learning, the chapel program, and summer camps. It will provide more opportunities for planned cross-division and cross-grade level activities. Our teachers will have many more opportunities for curricular coordination between divisions and grade levels without the challenges of geographical distance. Improved efficiency of administrative, business, communications, technology, food services, security, emergency preparedness, and transportation functions will be a benefit of one physical location. Our student body can gather together as one school more frequently, as we do now just once a year for convocation.
When will we break ground?
The timing of major milestones toward completion of the new campus depends upon fundraising efforts. We are seeking gifts from everyone associated with or interested in the school.
What is the cost?
Phase One features a sports complex with two gymnasiums, a practice field, a regulation soccer field, and up-to-date training facilities for our athletes and Rowmark Ski Academy. It also includes completion of the grading and utilities infrastructure for the entire campus project. Phase Two includes classrooms, laboratories, space for team building and collaboration, up-to-date technology systems, innovative spaces for the creative arts, and other shared spaces such as the auditorium, dining hall, and library. Total cost for the entire campus project, in today’s dollars, is $75 million, which consists of $58 million in building and $17 million for land and endowment.
Why should I contribute to the new campus if it may not be finished in time for my child to attend?
Visionary generosity over many years has made our learning community better, not just for today’s students, but for generations of students to come. Your children are benefitting today from gifts made by parents just like you in years past. In making a gift to the Capital Campaign you are not only honoring that tradition of giving, but also mentoring your own children to do the same some day.
Will tuition increase to cover the cost of this project?
No, the new campus will be paid for with private donations raised during the Capital Campaign, not by increases in school tuition or fees.
What is the difference between the Capital Campaign and the Annual Fund, and will I be asked to support both causes?
The Capital Campaign raises funds for this large campus project and the additional endowment, and is conducted only until these specific monetary goal are achieved. The Annual Fund supports the annual operating budget and requires new funding every year, even during times when the school is in a capital campaign. Yes, we will be seeking everyone’s support for both efforts.
Will class size or student body size grow as a result of this project?
Rowland Hall is committed to maintaining its current small class sizes, which are optimal for the developmental and educational goals we embrace in our school’s mission. This new campus will, however, enable the Upper School to enroll up to 40 additional students.
Are we continuing to maintain and support the facilities on Lincoln Street?
The Lincoln Street Campus will continue to be well-maintained, safe, and fully functional. In addition to the ongoing refurbishing the Lincoln Street Campus receives each summer, over the past five years we have remodeled the locker rooms, athletic coaching areas, Rowmark facilities, and the band and choral rooms.
What will happen to the Lincoln Street Campus?
Eventually, we will sell that campus and the proceeds will become revenue to the Capital Campaign for completion of the Steiner Campus.
Why did you choose an architectural firm from California? Why not a local firm?
The process for rezoning the property required us to submit a campus footprint to city planning, so this project was put out to bid five years ago. We received proposals from numerous firms, and a committee made up of parents, trustees, and administrators made the decision to hire EHDD | Architects of San Francisco. They were the most highly qualified in two specific areas: extensive experience in design and construction specifically of independent schools and demonstrated expertise with sustainable building practices. Our project manager, Ken Ament of Construction Control Corporation in Salt Lake, is working with us on this project, and our intention is to hire contractors from our local community.
When the new campus is built, how will we handle the pick up and drop off?
We recognize the potentially problematic traffic issues associated with a campus entrance on Sunnyside Avenue. Our architects are currently working with the city on entrance and exit design strategies that make the most sense for convenient and safe traffic flow.
To whom may we address more questions?
Please feel free to call Capital Campaign Steering Committee Chair Jennifer Price-Wallin at 801.550.1887, or Director of Development and Campaign Director Libby Ellis at 801.924.2984.
