THE PROJECT SHEPHERD

Shepherd (n):

O.E. sceaphierde, from sceap "sheep" + hierde "herder," from heord "a herd" (see herd). Cf. M.L.G., M.Du. schaphirde, M.H.G. schafhirte, Ger. dial. schafhirt. Shepherds customarily were buried with a tuft of wool in hand, to prove their occupation on Doomsday and be excused for often missing Sunday church. The metaphoric verbal sense of "watch over or guide" is first recorded 1820. Shepherd's pie is recorded from 1877. (www.etymonline.com)

The term "project shepherd" has become widely used in the planning and programming of science facilities - championed by Project Kaleidoscope (PKAL), a major force in science facilities and curriculum planning and design.  It was first used by Dot Widmayer, a biologist at Wellesley College, now retired.    She defined her role as three-fold: first and foremost, it was to protect the space program that the College created through a participatory process that engaged departments, faculty, staff, and students.  Secondly, it was to provide institutional memory from the beginning of the planning and programming process through architectural design, and through construction.  Lastly, it was to provide open communication throughout the long, complex process of defining, designing, and constructing a science building.  It was to make sure that key College people were at the table whenever a decision was being made that had any impact on the program.

The role of shepherd or project coordinator is absolutely essential on all college and university renovation and new construction projects.  Often, it falls on the shoulders of someone from Facilities.  Sometimes a college or university administrator, either academic or financial, volunteers to play this role.  In my mind for any projects impacting academic facilities, it should be someone from the academic arena.  Facilities must be at the table, but not as the shepherd.

The project shepherd should be fair and evenhanded and have the trust of the faculty.  The shepherd should have no particular agenda other than advancement of the goals of the project.  To be effective, the shepherd will need some form of release time for the duration of the project: probably 2 to 3 years.    Furthermore, if the shepherd is a faculty member, then being tenured is important, as serving in this role will divert time from the work and experiences critical to those seeking tenure.

-Arthur Lidsky