Building Our Campus
UMass Boston’s 25-year master plan reflects the university’s highest academic ambition and its commitment to enhancing the student experience and improving connections with neighbors and visitors.
“The vision in the University of Massachusetts Boston master plan is campus facilities and a campus environment for our students and faculty that are equal to or better than anything our peers have to offer,” says Chancellor J. Keith Motley. “Our new facilities will provide the most forward-thinking resources for teaching, learning, and research, in an unrivaled waterfront setting, and welcoming not only to students but also to our friends and neighbors."
Fulfilling Our Urban Mission
To fulfill our urban mission and the changing needs of our students, faculty, and communities, we have been reinventing the university again and again since the Columbia Point campus was completed in 1974.
“As Boston’s only public research university, we have an obligation to map out a course to enhance the educational experience for our students and drive toward it,” Chancellor Motley says.
With an increase in students in recent years, the university needs the new academic, residential, and parking facilities called for in the master plan. But not only will these facilities provide space to support our students and faculty, they will also enhance the educational experience and benefit our Boston neighbors.
“Enhancing the university’s effectiveness, reach, and stature will fuel our efforts as an economic engine for Boston and the commonwealth,” says Chancellor Motley.
Phase One
Phase one of the master plan (2008 through 2017) calls for more than $500 million in new facilities and infrastructure construction on the campus, including the following projects already in process: an Integrated Sciences Complex, a general academic building, and the Edward M. Kennedy Institute for the United States Senate.
Construction on the $155 million, 220,222-square foot Integrated Sciences Complex (ISC) started in April 2011. Adjacent to the Quinn Administration Building and the Healey Library, the ISC will provide the campus with state-of-the-art laboratory, teaching, and office space.
The $100 million general academic building, targeted to break ground in 2012 on the Beacons Parking Lot, will provide state-of-the-art classrooms and specialized teaching spaces and new homes for several academic programs.
Other projects that are expected to be completed in the master plan’s first seven to ten years include:
- Relocating the campus infrastructure from the underground garages
- Removing the existing Science Center and portions of the plaza to create more green open space
- Building the first 1,000 beds of student housing
- Building one of two planned parking facilities
- Reconfiguring the campus roadways
- Renovating and improving existing campus facilities
The second phase of the master plan is scheduled to bring:
- Additional academic facilities
- New recreational facilities
- Another parking facility to replace the surface parking lost to new campus construction
- An additional 1,000 beds of student housing
Green Sustainable Facilities
UMass Boston's strong commitment to environmental protection and sustainability is integral to its master plan. Sustainable site development, energy efficient building design and materials, renewable energy sources and technologies, use of recyclable and locally available materials, and increased reliance on clean transportation alternatives are priorities.
Dig Deeper
- 25-year Master Plan
- Integrated Sciences Complex
- Edward M. Kennedy Institute for the United States Senate
