Ædificare & Utilization

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Ædificare & Utilization

December 1, 2025
mike@standardsmichigan.com
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It has been 20 years since we began following educational facilities construction activity.  Starting this month we will examine federal government data together with the best available data about space utilization to enlighten our response to the perfectly reasonable question: “Are we over-building or under-building or building ineffectively”.  Use the login credentials at the upper right of our home page.

United States: Schools of Architecture

The Society for College and University Planning (Ann Arbor, Michigan)

National Center for Education Statistics

The Financial Impact of Architectural Design: Balancing Aesthetics and Budget in Modern Construction

 

Homeschooling

2022 International Existing Building Code 

  • University College London

As reported by the US Department of Commerce Census Bureau the value of construction put in place by May 2025 by the US education industry proceeded at a seasonally adjusted annual rate of $135.970 billionThis number does not include renovation for projects under 50,000 square feet and new construction in university-affiliated health care delivery enterprises.   Reports are released two months after calendar month.  The complete report is available at the link below:

MONTHLY CONSTRUCTION SPENDING August 2025 (released two months after calendar month)

THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT SHUTDOWN LAST MONTH HAS INTERRUPTED THE RELEASE CADENCE THIS MONTH

 


 


This spend makes the US education facilities industry (which includes colleges, universities, technical/vocational and K-12 schools, most university-affiliated medical research and healthcare delivery enterprises, etc.) the largest non-residential building construction market in the United States after commercial property; and fairly close.  For perspective consider total public + private construction ranked according to the tabulation most recently released:

$137.604 billion| Education Facilities

$155.728 billion | Power

$69.625 billion | Healthcare

Keep in mind that inflation figures into the elevated dollar figures.  Overall — including construction, energy, custodial services, furnishings, security. etc., — the non-instructional spend plus the construction spend of the US education facilities is running at a rate of about $300 – $500 billion per year.

LIVE: A selection of construction cameras at  US schools, colleges and universities

Architectural Billings

We typically pick through the new data set; looking for clues relevant to real asset spend decisions.  Finally, we encourage the education facilities industry to contribute to the accuracy of these monthly reports by responding the US Census Bureau’s data gathering contractors.

Reconstruction of Ancient Agora

 

As surely as people are born, grow wealthy and die with extra cash,

there will be a home for that cash to sustain their memory and to steer

the cultural heritage of the next generation in beautiful settings.

More

National Center for Educational Statistics

AIA: Billings Index shows but remains strong May 2022

National Center for Education Statistics

Sightlines: Capital Investment College Facilities

OxBlue: Time-Lapse Construction Cameras for Education

Architectural Billing Index

IBISWorld Education Sector

US Census Bureau Form F-33 Survey of School System Finances

American School & University

Global Consistency in Presenting Construction & Life Cycle Costs

Carnegie Classifications

Cowboy Coffee

December 1, 2025
mike@standardsmichigan.com
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“We wish to suggest a structure

for the salt of deoxyribose nucleic acid (DNA).

This structure has novel features

which are of considerable biological interest….”

James Watson | “Nature” April 1953

“The Valley of Wyoming” 1865 Jasper Cropsey

University of Wyoming 2021

This simple method preparing hot coffee evolved from open flame; out on the range.  The result is a strong, robust cup that retains grittiness due to the coarse grind and the absence of a filter. Cowboy coffee is more about utility and simplicity rather than precision and refinement, which aligns with the rugged and practical nature of cowboy life.  Here’s how it’s typically made:

Ingredients:

Coarsely ground coffee beans, water.

Equipment:

A pot (often a simple metal or enamel coffee pot), a heat source (campfire or portable stove), and a way to separate the grounds from the liquid (like pouring or using a fine mesh strainer).

Process:

Add coarsely ground coffee to the pot. The amount can vary based on personal preference, but it’s generally a couple of tablespoons of coffee per cup of water.

Add water to the pot. Again, the ratio of coffee to water can be adjusted based on taste preferences.

Place the pot on the heat source and bring it to a near-boil. Watch it carefully to avoid boiling over.

Once it’s heated, let it steep for a few minutes. Some cowboys might toss in a crushed eggshell to help settle the grounds.

Remove the pot from the heat and let it sit for a moment to allow the coffee grounds to settle.

Pour the coffee carefully to avoid pouring the grounds into your cup.

Locals swear by it:

“Cowboy coffee ain’t as easy as it looks. It takes some know-how to make it right.” – Unknown

“You can’t compromise with a cup of weak coffee.” – Cowboy Proverb

“There are only two things that a cowboy can’t do without – his horse and his coffee.” – Unknown

“A cowboy’s day starts with coffee and ends with whiskey.” – Unknown

“Life is too short for bad coffee.” – Unknown

“Cowboy coffee: where the grounds are meant to be chewed, not sipped.” – Unknown

"We were together. I forget the rest." -- Walt Whitman ('Leaves of Grass', 1855) "Everything I know is because of love" -- Leo Tolstoy

Wyoming

University of Alaska Ethnobotany: Bannock

Memorial Church Sunday Service

December 1, 2025
mike@standardsmichigan.com
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Hillsdale College | The Theological–Political Problem and the American Founding | Glenn Ellmers

From George Washington to the Hebrew Congregation in Newport, Rhode Island, 18 August 1790

In Federalist No. 2, John Jay [1764 Graduate of King’s College; now Columbia University] argues that a strong union under the Constitution will promote peace and prosperity, which are conducive to the spread of religion and morality:

“Providence has been pleased to give this one connected country to one united people—a people descended from the same ancestors, speaking the same language, professing the same religion, attached to the same principles of government, very similar in their manners and customs… These considerations, and many others that might be mentioned, prove, and experience confirms it, that artificial distinctions and separations of [America’s] land are essentially unnatural; and that they may be eradicated and extirpated by the united and advisable efforts of individuals and communities…”

The Federalist Papers discuss themes of morality, social order, and the importance of a cohesive society, they do not explicitly emphasize the importance of Christian faith to the American constitutional republic.  The authors generally focused on principles of governance, political theory, and the structure of the proposed Constitution.

 

“The experience of the sacred is a universal phenomenon,

found in all human societies, however primitive or complex.”

1957 Mircea Eliade (‘The Sacred and the Profane’)

Other Campus Worship Livestreams


Harvard’s Memorial Chapel, also known as Memorial Church, was designed by the architectural firm Coolidge, Shepley, Bulfinch, and Abbott. The church was dedicated on Armistice Day, November 11, 1932, as a memorial to Harvard alumni who died in World War I.


Sunday Service Announcements and Music Notes

Standards Massachusetts

Readings / The Education of Henry Adams

Readings / The Administrative State


John Harvard, the namesake of Harvard University, was a 17th-century English minister lived on campus from 1607 – 1638 and conformed to Puritan ideal of  dedicating Sundays to worship, prayer, and rest.

Qu’est-ce qu’une nation?

December 1, 2025
mike@standardsmichigan.com
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Ernest Renan (1823-1892) was a French philosopher, historian, and scholar of religion. He is best known for his work on nationalism and the relationship between language, culture, and identity.  The language of technology– and the catalog of codes, standards, guidelines, recommended practices and government regulations rest upon a common understanding of how things can and should work separately.  The essay is widely cited:

Qu’est-ce qu’une nation ?

What is a Nation ?

What is a Nation ?

In our domain we routinely see technical agreement and disagreement among stakeholders resolved, or left unresolved because of definitions — even when discussion is conducted in English.  We keep the topic of language (Tamil (மொழி) — since it is one of the most widely spoken languages on earth) on our aperiodic Language colloquia.  See our CALENDAR for the next online meeting; open to everyone.

Université Paris 1 Panthéon-Sorbonne

C’est quoi ?

La Loi Ne Fait Plus Le Bonheur

Normalisation volontaire en électrotechnologie

AFNOR: Norme NF C 15-100

National Electrical Codes

English and French are the two most prominent diplomatic languages, especially in historical and international contexts. They have long been the primary languages of diplomacy due to their widespread use in international organizations and historical influence.

English: Dominates in modern diplomacy, international law, and global organizations. It is the working language in many international forums, including the United Nations, NATO, and the Commonwealth of Nations.

French: Traditionally known as the “language of diplomacy,” French was the dominant diplomatic language until the 20th century. It remains a significant language in international relations, particularly within the United Nations, the European Union, and many African nations.

While other languages like Spanish, Arabic, Russian, and Chinese are also used in diplomatic contexts and are official languages of the United Nations, English and French are the most universally recognized and utilized in diplomatic settings.

Molėtai Astronomical Observatory

December 1, 2025
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Radio Transmission Power & Frequency Allocation

December 1, 2025
mike@standardsmichigan.com

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Why are there at least 10 publicly funded radio stations receivable in a 75 mile radius (back and forth, up and down) the I-94/I-75 corridor of Michigan — all of them domiciled in public universities?  These stations also receive revenue from other non-profit organizations, unending funding drives and private advertising from multinational financing organizations such as Schwab, Fidelity and other for-profit corporations.   Most of them purchase their “content” from the same source; reflecting the same large government bias seen across the entire nation; concentrated in college towns with spotty intellectual history.

Within an approximate 50 mile radius of the University of Michigan, five national public radio stations are receivable:

WUOM University of Michigan Ann Arbor

WEMU Eastern Michigan University

WDET Wayne State University

WKAR Michigan State University

WGTE University of Toledo

Move 25 miles to the northwest and two more are receivable:

WVGR Michigan Public Radio

WLNZ Landing Community College

Move 25 miles northeast and three more are receivable

WFUM University of Michigan Flint

WMUK Western Michigan University

WAUS Andrews University

FCC ONLINE TABLE OF FREQUENCY ALLOCATIONS: 47 C.F.R. § 2.106
(Revised July 1, 2022)

Standards for radio broadcast coverage can vary depending on factors like location, broadcasting technology, and regulatory requirements. Here’s a general list covering various aspects:

  1. Technical Standards:
    • Transmission Power and Frequency Allocation: Standards set by regulatory bodies like the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) in the United States or Ofcom in the UK regulate the power levels and frequencies allocated to radio stations to prevent interference.
    • Audio Quality: Standards for audio encoding and decoding, such as those defined by organizations like the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) or the Advanced Audio Coding (AAC) standards.
    • Antenna Design and Installation: Standards for antenna design, placement, and maintenance to ensure efficient transmission and coverage.
  2. Content Standards:
    • Language and Content Regulations: Regulations on language, decency, and content suitability enforced by regulatory bodies to ensure broadcasts adhere to community standards and do not contain offensive or harmful material.
    • Advertising Standards: Guidelines on the content and placement of advertisements to prevent deceptive practices and ensure fairness and transparency.
    • Copyright and Licensing: Regulations governing the use of copyrighted material and licensing agreements for broadcasting music, interviews, and other content.
  3. Emergency Broadcast Standards:
    • Emergency Alert Systems (EAS): Standards for implementing emergency alert systems to disseminate important information to the public during emergencies or disasters.
    • Public Safety Communications: Standards for communication protocols and procedures to coordinate with emergency services and agencies during crises.
  4. Accessibility Standards:
    • Closed Captioning: Standards for providing closed captioning for the hearing impaired, ensuring accessibility to radio broadcasts.
    • Descriptive Video Service (DVS): Standards for providing audio descriptions of visual content for the visually impaired.
  5. Ethical Standards:
    • Journalistic Integrity: Guidelines for ethical reporting and journalism standards, including accuracy, fairness, and impartiality.
    • Disclosure of Sponsored Content: Standards for disclosing sponsored or paid content to maintain transparency and trust with the audience.
    • Conflict of Interest Policies: Standards for identifying and managing conflicts of interest in news reporting and programming.
  6. Health and Safety Standards:
    • Electromagnetic Radiation Exposure Limits: Standards set by health organizations and regulatory bodies to limit human exposure to electromagnetic radiation emitted by radio transmitters.
    • Workplace Safety: Standards for ensuring the safety of radio station personnel and compliance with occupational health and safety regulations.

These standards are often enforced by governmental regulatory agencies, industry organizations, and professional associations to ensure the quality, integrity, and safety of radio broadcast coverage.


National Public Radio is the soundtrack of American academia and American academia has always been partial to large government:

“It was always the woman, and above all the young ones who where the most bigoted adherents to the party” — (George Orwell, ‘1984’)

Radio 300

Radio 400

Fiske Planetarium

December 1, 2025
mike@standardsmichigan.com
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Standards Colorado

The largest planetarium on a U.S. college or university campus is the Fiske Planetarium at the University of Colorado Boulder. The Fiske Planetarium features a 65-foot diameter dome and has undergone significant technological upgrades, making it one of the most advanced planetariums in the country. It offers a variety of shows, including live demonstrations and immersive experiences that simulate different cosmic phenomena and environments​ (CU Connections)​.

Observatories & Planetariums

Integrated Planning Glossary

December 1, 2025
mike@standardsmichigan.com

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Attendees of the SCUP 2025 North Atlantic Symposium sit on the Commons in Columbia Business School and smile.

The Society of College and University Planning was founded in 1965 at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor during an informal gathering of campus planners frustrated with the lack of professional exchange in their emerging field. Rapid postwar enrollment growth and massive campus expansion projects had created urgent needs for long-range physical planning, yet few institutions had dedicated planners or shared knowledge.
A small group, led by University of Michigan planners George J. Bruha and Frederick W Mayer met in Ann Arbor to discuss common challenges facing other State of Michigan settlements; joined by Stanford, Ohio State and the University of Illinois. They decided to create a formal organization to foster collaboration, research, and professional development. In 1966, with Michigan’s support, SCUP was officially established as a nonprofit with its first office on the Ann Arbor campus. Its founding principle—integrated planning linking academics, finances, and facilities—remains central today.

Integrated Planning Glossary


Early operations benefited from administrative support (aegis) provided by the University of Michigan, including office space and resources in Ann Arbor. This arrangement persisted until a financial crisis in the late 1970s (1976–1980), during which SCUP relocated to New York.

The decoupling—marking full operational and administrative independence from the University of Michigan—occurred in 1980, when SCUP returned to Ann Arbor as a self-sustaining nonprofit headquartered at a separate location –1330 Eisenhower Place — less than a mile walk from Standards Michigan‘s front door at 455 East Eisenhower.

* Of the 220 ANSI Accredited Standards Developers, the State of Michigan ranks 3rd in the ranking of U.S. states with the most ANSI-accredited standards developers (ASDs) headquartered there; behind the Regulatory Hegemons of California and ChicagoLand and excluding the expected cluster foxtrot of non-profits domiciled in the Washington-New York Deep State Megalopolis.  Much of Michigan’s presence in the private consensus standards space originates from its industrial ascendency through most of the 1900’s.

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