FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
As the master planning process moves forward, additional FAQs will be added to this page in response to your questions and feedback.
What is a campus master plan?
A master plan guides change to the campus over the long term and gives physical expression to the University’s academic mission and strategic goals and priorities. It provides a framework for coordinating campus development and identifying growth opportunities. A master plan generally identifies building sites, vehicular and pedestrian circulation, open space, and incorporation with the natural surroundings and neighboring community.
What organizational structure has been created for development of UMass Boston’s Master Plan?
The master planning process began in the fall of 2006 with the creation of the Master Plan Subcommittee, one of six subcommittees to the Chancellor’s Strategic Planning Task Force. The Subcommittee comprised of faculty, students, and staff was charged with developing a recommended master plan for the UMass Boston campus over a 25-year horizon. The State’s Division of Capital Asset Management (DCAM), also a member of the committee, has hired Chan Krieger Sieniewicz, an architectural and master planning firm to support the University’s efforts to develop a comprehensive master plan. Moreover, in an effort to strengthen the master planning process, the Subcommittee expanded this past fall and transformed into a steering committee that will develop a recommended preferred campus plan based on the priorities of the final Strategic Plan and feedback and input from the campus community and external constituencies. Chancellor Motley and his Executive staff will approve the final campus master plan.
When will the final Campus Master Plan be completed?
The Master Plan Steering Committee is in the process of soliciting input and feedback from the UMass Boston community and external constituents on alternative campus concepts. These concepts or frameworks represent different approaches to organizing and orienting the campus. All input and feedback will be reviewed and considered by the Steering Committee in an effort to develop a recommended preferred campus master plan. Chancellor Motley will present the preferred plan to the Board of Trustees on December 14, 2007. Once the Board of Trustees has been briefed and demonstrates support and consensus for the plan, the Steering Committee will work to develop a detailed master plan that includes such things as building design criteria, land and building uses, landscaping and open space standards, infrastructure requirements, energy sources, sustainability principles, transportation elements, implementation guidelines, and cost estimates. This is expected to take approximately 18-24 months.
What strategic goals and priorities are driving the evolving components of the campus master plan?
There are three strategic priorities that generally shape the foundation of the campus frameworks that have been developed including the need to increase student enrollment to 15,000 by 2010; creating a physical environment that better supports teaching, learning and research; and providing on-campus housing for approximately 2,000 students.
- Increase enrollment – the original vision for UMass Boston was for a campus of more than 15,000 students. Increasing enrollment to 15,000 is also necessary for the University’s continued development as a research university and for the financial stability needed to fulfill our mission.
- Physical environment – the deteriorating physical plant of the campus hinders effective teaching and research and our students’ learning experience. In addition, studies show that in order to adequately accommodate a student body of 15,000, additional academic facilities are needed. If we want to strengthen UMass Boston’s standing as a great public university, we need to invest in the campus’ physical plant.
- Campus Housing – to stay competitive in the academic marketplace, UMB needs to be responsive to the housing needs of all our current and prospective students including, but not limited to, on-campus residence halls. Creating a limited number of residential beds on campus is consistent with what has taken place at almost all other urban, public universities across the country.
What kind of outreach has occurred with the internal and external communities in the evolving development of the Master Plan to date?
The Steering Committee has held 26 workshops and open meetings with various colleges and University departments, elected officials, external community groups, and the general public on the alternative campus frameworks. The Steering Committee will continue to invite community participation as it develops the detailed master plan. A website has also been developed that includes pertinent information on the master planning process and will be updated as necessary.
What have been the general themes and feedback from the University’s constituencies on the alternative campus frameworks?
Of the three alternative concepts, a majority of workshop participants liked the “Improving Connections” concept because it offers more mixed use, has an urban quality, and enhances connections within campus and between the urban community and waterfront. Support for the following components was expressed at the workshops and through written comments:
- New academic buildings are critical to better meeting the educational, instructional and research needs of students and faculty.
- Taking down the plaza and the Science Building is necessary for opening up the campus and making it a more welcoming and accessible place.
- The campus needs more green, open space to help enliven campus life.
- Better integration with the waterfront and surrounding urban community is very desirable.
- Reconfiguring the road network will allow the University to make better use of its real estate and enhance vehicle and pedestrian safety.
- Placing parking garages on the edges of campus will help to minimize traffic in the interior of campus.
- Relocating the running track to the edge of campus near BC High will allow the University to reorient and reorganize the campus along the lines of the “Improving Connections” concept.
- There was overwhelming support for locating housing near Mt. Vernon St. which enhances the residential feel of housing.
How will UMass Boston’s Master Plan be coordinated with city and other institutions that are involved in the planning for areas around the campus?
The City of Boston has recently undertaken a master planning process for all of Columbia Point under the aegis of the Boston Redevelopment Authority (BRA). UMass Boston is working closely with staff from the BRA to coordinate campus and city plans to ensure that both entities will mutually benefit from future changes on the peninsula. In addition, the University and DCAM have begun to reach out to the JFK Library and State Archives to coordinate planned changes to their facilities.
A complete summary of input and feedback is found on this website under the tab labeled “Workshops/Outreach Efforts”.