The Quiet Campus

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The Quiet Campus

November 1, 2026
mike@standardsmichigan.com
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The Day of the Dead (1859) by William-Adolphe Bouguereau -

“The Day of the Dead” 1850 | William-Adolphe Bouguereau

VA National Cemetery Administration Facilities Standards and Criteria

Internment Layout Guide

US Department of the Interior Historic Preservation Laws

ASCE SEI 7-22 Structural Design of Monuments and Columbaria (N.B. Seismic Design)

The Last Quadrangle

Cedar Grove Cemetery — University of Notre Dame

Established in 1843 and transferred to university ownership in the 1970s. The 22-acre cemetery includes All Souls Chapel, mausolea and columbaria. More than 16,000 members of the Notre Dame community and their families rest here.

Official cemetery website | Photograph


University of Virginia Cemetery

Founded in 1828, this university-administered cemetery contains the graves of four UVA presidents, faculty and other university figures. UVA also operates a columbarium with formal eligibility and purchasing rules.

UVA Cemetery and Columbarium | Photograph


Iowa State University Cemetery

Maintained since 1876 and still active. More than 900 graves include six university presidents, faculty, employees, spouses, children and two students. Management rests with the university’s Facilities Planning and Management organization.

Iowa State Cemetery | Photograph

Woodland Cemetery — Clemson University

Established by the trustees in 1924 for faculty, administrators and their families. Clemson Facilities maintains the grounds. The university is also documenting hundreds of previously unmarked graves associated with the plantation and early college.

Clemson cemetery history | Photograph


Old Athens Cemetery — University of Georgia

Dating to approximately 1810, this burial ground was deeded back to the University System of Georgia in 2004. UGA Grounds manages the historic site, which contains approximately 800 burials.

Photograph

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In the absence of cemetery-specific university standards, federal cemetery design and maintenance criteria provide authoritative technical guidance for siting, access, security, preservation and perpetual care. Their use does not displace applicable state and local requirements, nor does it establish federal jurisdiction over university burial grounds.

“Grief” Anna | Anna Ancher (1859 – 1935)

Sacred Spaces

November 1, 2026
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“We need the sense of the sacred, and the sense that things transcend our grasp.

We need to know that we are dependent on others,

and that the condition of our existence is the existence of others.”

— Sir Roger Scruton

“View of Eton College Chapel” 1834 William Ingalton

Natural Religion

The founding of many education communities is inspired by faith communities.   In many of them the place of worship was the very first building.   College and university chapels are central places of worship for students, staff and faculty, and provide a space for solitude and reflection.  A place for feeling at home in the world.

International Building Code | Section 303.4 Assembly Group A-3

There are several hundred technical standards, or parts of standards,  that govern how churches and chapels are made safe and sustainable.  Owing to innovations in construction, operation and management methods, those standards move, ever so slightly, on a near-daily basis.  They are highly interdependent; confounded by county-level adaptations; and impossible to harmonize by adoption cycle.  That movement tracked here as best we can within the limit of our resources and priorities.  That’s why it’s best to simply click into our daily colloquia if you have a question or need guidance.

The Bible: Silly Stories or Symbolic Wisdom


Richard Miniter observes that the United States was founded as four distinct religious utopias, each originating from different regions and historical periods in England (and the broader British Isles). These groups, shaped by conflicts like the English Civil War, brought competing visions of society, governance, and faith that continue to influence American culture and politics today.1. New England Puritans (from East Anglia): Strict, communal Calvinists seeking a “city upon a hill” with moral oversight and collective piety.
2. Cavalier culture in Virginia and the South (from southwest England): Hierarchical, Anglican/Royalist tradition emphasizing order, honor, and aristocratic values.
3. Middle States (influenced by the West Midlands): More tolerant, pluralistic Quaker and other nonconformist approaches fostering commerce and individual liberty.
4. Appalachian borderlands (from the English-Scottish border): Scots-Irish Presbyterian folkways stressing independence, martial honor, and anti-authoritarian egalitarianism.These enduring subcultures create ongoing tensions over freedom, authority, and religion in America.

Maps of Meaning: The Architecture of Belief | Jordan Peterson, Douglas Murray, Sam Harris

Taylor University | Grant County Indiana

The image criteria of our WordPress theme does not permit many images of college and university chapels to be shown fully-dimensioned on sliders or widget galleries.  We reproduce a few of the outsized images here and leave the complexities of financing, designing, building and maintaining of them in a safe and sustainable manner for another day.  CLICK HERE for the links to our Sacred Space Standards workspace.

Click on any image for author attribution, photo credit or other information*.

Orchard Lake Schools | Oakland County Michigan

Saint Leo University | Pasco County Florida

Newman University Chapel Dublin

I believe in Christianity as I believe that the sun has risen:

not only because I see it, but because by it I see everything else.

— C.S. Lewis

Vilnius University

Mount St. Joseph University | Hamilton County Ohio

Sainte-Chapelle:pic.twitter.com/B2lPLtWEVx

— Culture Critic (@Culture_Crit) February 12, 2024

Marian University Indianapolis

Wittenberg University

Károli Gáspár Református Egyetem

University of San Diego

Augustana University | Minnehaha County South Dakota

Bucknell University Pennsylvania

Carroll College All Saints Chapel Montana

 

Marquette University Wisconsin

Saint Louis University Missouri

University of St. Thomas Minnesota

Keuka College New York

جامعة الأزهر (الشريف)

Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore

University of Chicago

Thomas Aquinas College California

St. Albans School | District of Columbia

Princeton University

Yale University

Harvard University

Piula Theological College Samoa

Universität zu Lübeck

Wycliffe College

Universitat de Barcelona

Hillsdale College

Liberty University

Gordon College

 

Colorado University Denver

Walla Walla University / Washington

University of the Incarnate Word / San Antonio, Texas

Pepperdine University / California

University of Kentucky

Loyola Marymount University / Los Angeles, California

Lourdes University

Seton Hall University

Durlston Court Prep School Chapel

Colorado University Denver

Luther College at the University of Regina / Saskatchewan, Canada

 

계명대학교 / Keimyung University Chapel, South Korea

U.S. Coast Guard Memorial Chapel | New London, Connecticut

Saint John’s University | Photo by Paul Middlestaedt

Trinity College / Hartford, Connecticut

Georgetown University Chapel | Washington, D.C.

Kings College Chapel | Auckland, New Zealand

Brigham Young University / Idaho

Newman University Church / Dublin

Our Lady of the Lake University / San Antonio, Texas

Southern Methodist University | Dallas, Texas

Southern Methodist University | Dallas, Texas

St. John’s College Oxford

United States Naval Academy Chapel

Wellington College Chapel

Fitzwilliam College Chapel Cambridge

Sorbonne Université

West Point | US Army Cadet Chapel

Hebrew Union College

Tuskegee University Chapel

The Spring Hill College Chapel | Mobile, Alabama

Boston University

University of Tennessee at Chattangooga

Wake Forest University

Auburn University Chapel

Davis & Elkins College

University of Tulsa

Randolph College Chapel

 

Sewanee | The University of the South

King’s College Chapel | University of Cambridge

Hope College | Holland, Michigan

Duke University | Durham, North Carolina

Christ’s Chapel | Hillsdale College, Michigan

Basilica of the Sacred Heart | University of Notre Dame | South Bend, Indiana

Three Faith Chapels | Brandeis University

University of Wroclaw | Jesuit College | Wrocław, Poland

Alma College Chapel | Alma, Michigan

Stanford Memorial Church | Palo Alto, California

Universidad Adventista Templo | Buenos Aires, Argentina

St. Thomas of Villanova University Chapel | Villanova, Pennsylvania

St. Paul’s Chapel | Columbia University | New York City

Scotch College Chapel | Melbourne, Australia

Princeton University Chapel

United States Air Force Cadet Chapel | Colorado Springs

Chapelle Sainte-Ursule de la Sorbonne | Paris

Memorial Chapel | Glasgow University | Glasgow, Scotland

Alice Millar Chapel | Northwestern University

Bowdoin College Chapel | Brunswick, Maine

Loyola University Chapel | Madonna della Strada Chicago

Heinz Memorial Chapel | University of Pittsburgh

Madonna University Chapel | Livonia, Michigan

Vassar College Chapel | Poughkeepsie, New York

Massachusetts Institute of Technology Student Chapel | Cambridge, Massachusetts

St. Ignatius Church | University of San Francisco

Church of the Resurrection | Valparaiso University | Valparaiso, Indiana

Baughman Center | University of Florida

Exeter College Chapel | Oxford University

 

More coming.

*404 ERRORS and Page Not Found messages are common as webmasters move content.


More

CLICK HERE for bibliography

 

 

 

The Rossborough Inn

November 1, 2026
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Built in the early nineteenth century along the road between Washington and Baltimore, Rossborough Inn is the oldest building on the University of Maryland campus. During the Civil War, Union and Confederate troops occupied the grounds, and Confederate General Bradley T. Johnson briefly established his headquarters at the inn in 1864.  More than a century and a half later, the war has ended bu t, according to campus legend, not everyone has departed. Visitors report unexplained footsteps, doors opening mysteriously and sightings of **Miss Bettie**, the inn’s Civil War-era manager, wandering the corridors in a yellow gown.

Some guests, it seems, never check out.

Spooky (Terrapin) Tales

 

Image 1

All Hallows

Anatomical Donation

October 31, 2026
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Anatomical donation programs are supported by relatively stable best practice literature that are highly cross-referencing.  The organ donation industry grows at a surprising clip and, as such, has its share of sketchy actors.

Our discussion today — at 15:00 UTC– is limited to the safety and sustainability of the support facilities for human cadavers only; with attention to the most recent construction projects.

Images:

Transworld Educare Pune

High Point University

Columbia University

Representative Literature:

University of Michigan

Augusta University

Duke University

Idaho State University

Indiana University

Ohio State University

University of Cambridge

University of Minnesota

University of New England

Vanderbilt University

Relevant Codes & Standards:

ASHRAE International

American Society of Mechanical Engineers

ASTM International

Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute

International Code Council

International Building Code

International Mechanical Code

International Plumbing Code

Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers

National Fire Protection Association

More:

Michigan Public Health Code

County Medical Examiners

American Association for Anatomy

American Association of Tissue Banks

IEEE: Virtual Reality Application in Anatomy Education: A Bibliometric Analysis and Future Direction

Anatomy Meets Architecture: Designing New Laboratories for New Anatomists

National Donor Day: February 14

Join us today at 15:00 UTC.  Use the login credentials at the upper right of our home page.

Colloquy (October)

October 30, 2026
mike@standardsmichigan.com
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University of Tartu — Halloween Night Marathon 2026

University of Tartu — Pärnu College Halloween 2026


MOST VISITED WEB PAGE THIS MONTH – OCTOBER 2025 

Overcoming the Feminization of Culture (Helen Andrews, Yale University)

Tabor College | Marion County, Kansas

Open agenda; Not Too Organized. Whatever anyone wants to talk about.  We do meet once a month like this.  Use the login credentials at the upper right of our home page.

Fall Hours at our (New, across the street from our previous State Street Office) Eisenhower Parkway  Office: 8:30 AM – 4:00 PM

Join us for lunch 11:45 AM – 1:15 PM every Third Wednesday | University of Michigan Business School Executive Dining Room

We explain changes to our syllabus given that five conferences we attend will happen mid-September through mid-November: ANSI (Washington, DC), IEC (Edinburgh, Scotland), NFPA (Redondo Beach, California) and IEEE (Long Beach, California).   Mike will be out of the office with sporadic availability.  The front desk will be open.  Sanne Clare will take phone calls September 27 through October 6.

Larry Summers Misunderstood


Mortuary Arts

October 30, 2026
mike@standardsmichigan.com
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“In the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread, till thou return unto the ground;
for out of it wast thou taken: for dust thou art, and unto dust shalt thou return.

— Genesis 3:19 

“Marat Assassinated” | Jacques-Louis David 1793

There are several ANSI accredited standards that apply to mortuary science, particularly in the areas of forensic science and medicolegal death investigation. These standards are developed to ensure the highest levels of professionalism, quality, and consistency in the field. Here are some key standards:

  1. ANSI/ASB Best Practice Recommendations: The American National Standards Institute in collaboration with the American Academy of Forensic Sciences has developed various standards, including those related to the handling and processing of human remains. For example, the ANSI/ASB Best Practice Recommendation 094-2021 outlines procedures for postmortem friction ridge print recovery, emphasizing systematic approaches and legal compliance during the process​
    ANSI/ASB Standard 125-2021: This standard focuses on the general requirements for medicolegal death investigation systems. It covers infrastructure, personnel training, and competency requirements to ensure high-quality death investigations. It also references other professional guidelines and accreditation checklists from organizations such as the National Association of Medical Examiners and the International Association of Coroners and Medical Examiners. 

These standards are integral to maintaining rigorous protocols and ethical practices within mortuary science and related fields. They help ensure that procedures are consistent, legally compliant, and respectful of the deceased, ultimately contributing to the reliability and credibility of forensic investigations. For more detailed information, you can refer to the ANSI and ASB standards documentation available through their respective organizations.

Anatomical Donation

Virtual Gross Anatomy Lab

Standard for Interactions Between Medical Examiner, Coroner and Death Investigation Agencies

Refrigeration Systems: Cadaver Preservation

October 30, 2026
mike@standardsmichigan.com
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Although specific temperature settings vary, gross anatomy labs are commonly kept at temperatures ranging from 55°F to 65°F (approximately 13°C to 18°C). This range balances the need for specimen preservation and the comfort and safety of individuals working in the lab. The 2024 Edition is widely incorporated by reference into public safety law; design, construction, maintenance operations best practice for laboratory health care occupancies.

ASHRAE 15 Safety Standard for Refrigeration Systems

Purpose:  This standard specifies safe design, construction, installation and operation of refrigeration systems.  It not apply to refrigeration systems using ammonia (R-717) as the refrigerant.

Scope: This standard establishes safeguards for life, limb, health, and property and prescribes safety requirements:

  • Design, construction, test, installation, operation, and inspection of mechanical and absorption refrigeration systems, including heat pump systems used in stationary applications;
  • Modifications including replacement of parts or components if they are not identical in function and capacity; and substitutions of refrigerant having a different designation.

ASHRAE Public Review Drafts

This standard provides safety requirements for refrigeration systems, which are often used in cadaver storage facilities to maintain appropriate temperatures. It includes guidelines on system design, installation, operation, and maintenance to ensure safe and reliable performance.  Student gross anatomy labs are typically kept at lower temperatures. Maintaining a cooler environment in these labs is important for several reasons:

  1. Preservation of Specimens: Lower temperatures help preserve cadavers and anatomical specimens by slowing down the decomposition process. This is crucial for maintaining the quality and usability of the specimens over extended periods.
  2. Control of Odors: Cooler temperatures can help minimize the release of odors from the preservation chemicals used, such as formaldehyde, which can be unpleasant and potentially harmful in higher concentrations.
  3. Health and Safety: Maintaining a lower temperature can reduce the volatilization of formaldehyde and other chemicals, thereby lowering the concentration of potentially harmful vapors in the air. This contributes to a safer environment for students and faculty.
  4. Comfort during Lab Sessions: Students and instructors often wear protective clothing, including lab coats and gloves, which can be uncomfortable in warmer environments. A cooler lab helps ensure comfort during extended periods of study and dissection.

While the specific temperature settings can vary, gross anatomy labs are commonly kept at temperatures ranging from 55°F to 65°F (approximately 13°C to 18°C). This range balances the need for specimen preservation and the comfort and safety of individuals working in the lab.

University of Michigan Mechanical Design Guidelines and General Specifications

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