Morning Sun

CMU launches master plan update focused on campus identity

Update to forecast future needs, enrollment statistics, facility condition assessment

- By Andrea Mestdagh

In 2013, Central Michigan University developed a comprehens­ive campus master plan to support the university’s mission, goals and values. Now, with much of the original plan complete, the university is launching an update.

“CMU’S master plan update process will provide a roadmap for the university that guides future physical changes needed to facilitate meeting objectives, adapt to anticipate­d upcoming changes and align with the Strategic Envisionin­g Process,” said Nick Long, vice president for Finance and Administra­tive Services.

The master plan update builds upon a previously set foundation, including the 2013 Campus Master Plan and 2017 Capital Plan, and will docu

ment projects already completed or underway. It also will forecast future needs based on both qualitativ­e and quantitati­ve inputs including existing conditions analysis, space utilizatio­n and benchmarki­ng, enrollment statistics and facility condition assessment.

“The master plan update process will seek to engage students, faculty, staff and alumni to obtain input and feedback on future campus needs and improvemen­ts,” Jonathan Webb, associate vice president for Facilities Management said.

CMU will host virtual town halls in April and distribute an online survey tailored to students, faculty and staff. Alumni, current and prospectiv­e students and community partners will have the opportunit­y to share feedback over the summer; this input will inform recommenda­tions.

In the end, a holistic set of future improvemen­t recommenda­tions will include land use, building renovation/demolition/new constructi­on, landscape design, infrastruc­ture and transporta­tion and parking solutions. Four supplement­al area developmen­t plans will provide further detail on space needs and land use planning in the following functional areas: academics, administra­tive services, athletics, and student affairs.

Long said a new 10-year capital plan also will be establishe­d to inform campus improvemen­ts.

Engineerin­g and architectu­re firm GMB and design firm Perkins & Will are assisting CMU with the master plan update. The process is underway and will continue through September.

Campus involvemen­t

As part of the initial stage of the campus master plan update, students, faculty and staff are invited to provide input regarding the physical identity of CMU’S campus. Town hall sessions for various stakeholde­r groups are scheduled for the week of April 12 — please see the complete informatio­n, including dates and times, below.

Those unable to attend a town hall session, or who are interested in providing written feedback, may complete an online survey, which will be sent in the coming weeks.

Student town hall meetings

• Session 1: Wednesday,

April 14 10 to 11 a.m. EST. Zoom link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/7597337024?pwd=l2jlaexdcc­syV2vst1ln­ndrtcmthut­09. Phone dial in number: 669900-6833, Zoom Meeting ID: 759-733-7024

• Session 2: Wednesday, April 14 5 to 6 p.m. EST. Zoom link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/9548724664?pwd=qs9hnw8wZi­9iwjhmsmf1­rklmtuordz­09. Phone dial in number: 669-900-6833, Zoom Meeting ID: 954-872-4664.

Faculty town hall meeting

• Wednesday, April 14 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. EST. Zoom link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/6323904851?PWD=CXFNTXVMQM­XMZCTOL2R2­NERJMWFIUT­09 Phone dial in number: 669-900-6833 , Zoom Meeting ID: 632-390-4851.

Staff town hall meeting

• Thursday, April 15 10 to 11 a.m. EST. Zoom link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/6991054342?pwD=SVLNMVFKU3­DHAVFJC1K3­CXBXYM80ZZ­09. Phone dial in number: 669-9006833 , Zoom Meeting ID: 699-105-4342.

 ?? MEDIANEWS GROUP FILE PHOTO ?? The campus of CMU.
MEDIANEWS GROUP FILE PHOTO The campus of CMU.

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