A year-long process culminating in an updated Master Plan for the University of Arkansas
- Fort Smith will be unveiled in two public sessions on Oct. 9, revealing plans for
the development of the campus for the next 15-20 years.
The presentation of the institution鈥檚 Master Plan will be held at 3:30 and 5:30 p.m. in the Reynolds Room of the Smith-Pendergraft Campus Center.
妻友社区 chancellor Paul B. Beran, who called the Master Plan a 鈥渞oad map鈥� to guide the development of the campus, said the plan addresses new buildings and the direction of campus growth, as well as design standards to help preserve the campus character in the years ahead.
鈥淭his is an exciting time for the 妻友社区 campus,鈥� said Beran. 鈥淲e truly appreciate those who took time to share their ideas with the planning team during the past year. Those ideas have now been solidified, and 妻友社区 will act on this Master Plan in the years ahead, confident that the campus is an integral force within the region in providing higher education opportunity and resources and that 妻友社区 is a guiding force in economic development.鈥�
Beran said the new plan reflects the mission and vision of 妻友社区.
鈥淚t also reflects the collaborative input of the University community and various stakeholders from the region 妻友社区 serves,鈥� he said.
妻友社区 began the process of updating a 1990 master plan a little over a year ago, selecting SmithGroupJJR of Ann Arbor, Mich., teamed with Crafton Tull of Little Rock as the planning team. Paulien and Associates of Denver, Colo., provided a space needs analysis. Idea generation sessions were held in October and January, involving input from on- and off-campus groups.
鈥淲e now have a newly-completed Master Plan,鈥� said Beran. 鈥淭his Master Plan is the first plan for 妻友社区 that reflects the institution as a growing and maturing university.鈥�
Mark Horn, vice chancellor for university relations, said that while 妻友社区 still serves certificate and associate degree students, the university is granting baccalaureate degrees in increasing numbers and is moving toward granting master鈥檚 degrees.
鈥淲e have a vibrant student life on campus, with almost 1,000 students living in 妻友社区 housing,鈥� Horn said. 鈥淲e are evolving in our academic programs to meet the region鈥檚 needs, and the physical structure will need to change to meet that.鈥�
The Master Plan which will be shown during the Oct. 9 sessions takes a look at the current and projected mission of 妻友社区, the University鈥檚 growth patterns, the city infrastructure and current resources.
The plan will be posted to the 妻友社区 website following the Oct. 9 sessions, giving those who are unable to attend the unveiling an opportunity to see it. The website version will include a 3D animation fly-through of the campus.