We developed for Occidental College a comprehensive seismic program that evolved from initial building studies to prioritization of potential projects. Included in the study were over 10 general campus buildings. During the study, we convinced the Occidental College Admin-istration of the irrelevance of seismic evaluations based on the "building code" and recom-mended use of site-specific loads and realistic component assessments to clearly identify significant seismic deficiencies in structures. The study emphasized life-safety performance, a criterion that was adjusted to address damage mitigation issues for selected historic campus structures. Each seismic project also had to address how to minimize "staging" of students, faculty, and staff displaced by the seismic work by exploring innovative rehabilitation alternatives and how far collateral issues such as fire life-safety and accessibility upgrades would impact on the project.