Master Plan Goals and Background
Goals of UMass Boston’s Master Plan
The master planning process for UMass Boston will center on the physical development and reconstruction of the campus over the next 25 years. This effort coincides with the ongoing strategic planning process, which by fall 2007 will articulate the long-term academic and institutional goals of the University. As such the Master Plan will aspire to reflect in the physical environment the goals and priorities of the Strategic Plan. More specifically, through an open and inclusive process, UMass Boston’s master planning effort will be driven by the following goals and objectives:
- Provide a framework for campus development by identifying building sites, circulation patterns, parking locations, opens spaces and the physical link with the community.
- Conduct a facilities assessment that identifies and confirms the continued use, modification, demolition, or construction of facilities.
- Specifically study and consider the construction of new academic/research facilities consistent with academic priorities and our needs assessment that helps to bring our instructional and research space up to standards of excellence.
- Rebuild and construct facilities that meet the needs of students, faculty, and staff.
- Build on the University’s commitment to providing a welcoming environment to persons with physical disabilities.
- Assess current space allocation and utilization on campus and determine future space requirements based on industry standards and metrics.
- Establish guidelines for the building of green/sustainable facilities.
- Provide a flexible framework for future decisions, changing circumstances, and future growth.
- Formulate an implementation plan that minimizes disruption to the University community as facilities are rebuilt and constructed over the course of many years.
Background of UMass Boston’s Master Plan
In September 2006, the University embarked on an intense, year long effort in strategic planning. The Strategic Planning Task Force was charged with receiving input from throughout UMass Boston’s internal and external constituencies and developing a comprehensive report recommending strategic directions for the University by June 30, 2007. In addition, the Task Force was charged with reviewing and implementing recommendations for the first three years of these strategic initiatives including measurable goals and outcomes starting in 2008.
The work of the Task Force was supported and informed by the following six subcommittees:
- Enrollment and Financial Aid
- Academics
- Research and Graduate Studies
- External Community
- Student Life
- Master Planning
The subcommittees provided updates and interim reports to the Task Force on their evolving priorities and recommendations. In May of 2007, the subcommittees submitted their final reports to the Task Force for review and consideration.
The final Strategic Planning Task Force Report was presented to Chancellor J. Keith Motley in early July 2007. Chancellor Motley has accepted the four strategic goals established by the Task Force, and over the last several months has worked with his Executive Staff to refine the recomendations into specific objectives and to design a process for developing and implementing strategies and actions that will insure a successful realization of the four goals
The final Task Force Report and those of the six subcommittees are found at www.umb.edu/strategic_plan.