Building on success: UND seeks community input for new Campus Master Plan
Survey and Open Forum announced as UND invites community to help shape the future of campus
Following the successful completion of UND’s 2016 and 2022 campus master plans, the University of North Dakota is once again turning its focus toward the future of campus spaces. A new 10-year campus master planning process is underway, and the first step is to call for ideas, conversation and participation from the entire UND community.
“I’ve heard from many campus members and visitors about the remarkable transformation of our campus,” said President Andrew Armacost. “This is the result of the vision and thoughtful planning work done a decade ago. I am excited to begin the next phase of our master planning, which will set the course for UND over the next 10 years and beyond.
“Just as we did with the development of UND LEADS, I invite students, faculty, staff, alumni and community members to take an active role in the process because your voice matters,” Armacost continued. “You will have many opportunities to provide your input. Together, we will continue to shape the future of this amazing university.”
Campus master planning provides both a pragmatic framework and a design-driven vision for how UND’s physical environment supports academic excellence, research growth, student success, partnerships and community engagement. Together, these approaches have guided UND’s transformation in recent years and will continue to shape the campus for the next decade and beyond.
Why master planning matters
The UND campus master plan is a strategic blueprint that aligns physical growth with the LEADS strategic plan and academic goals. It ensures cohesive campus development, supports recruitment and retention, manages resources efficiently and creates a high-quality environment for students, faculty and staff.
“The great work that started with UND LEADS now continues with our campus master planning,” said Eric Link, provost and vice president for academic affairs. “Here is our opportunity to set forth a bold vision and strategy for campus development for the next decade.
“Campus master planning is not just about buildings and beautification,” Link continued. “It’s about making sure that the entire UND and Grand Forks communities are served well by the campus. It’s about creating spaces for life-changing educational opportunities and amazing moments of discovery.
“It’s about making sure that the ideals of UND LEADS are hardwired into every corner of our campus, and that our campus continues to serve our state and our local community with strength of vision, partnership and innovation.”
At the same time, master planning recognizes that the campus is more than a functional collection of buildings, roads, walkways and landscapes. It defines a shared experience of place and community — an essential part of teaching, research and learning.
At its best, the campus becomes a living expression of UND’s mission, history and aspirations, supporting today’s educational experience while helping define the University’s future.
Proven success from previous master plans
The impact of UND’s 2016 and 2022 master plans is visible across campus today. A central goal of those plans was not expansion, but consolidation — using space more effectively to improve quality, functionality and long-term sustainability.
To date, UND has removed 1,759,445 gross square feet (GSF) from campus and constructed 826,753 GSF, resulting in a net reduction of 932,692 GSF. This intentional reduction has allowed the University to focus resources where they matter most, generating an estimated $334.5 million in savings associated with deferred maintenance.
The goal was never to compress space for financial reasons alone, but to ensure the space available is used in the best possible way to support the academic mission and improve student success.
Within that framework, several key successes stand out:
- One-for-one replacement of major facilities, including the Memorial Union, the construction of the Nistler College of Business & Public Administration, and Steam Plant.
- Preservation of historic campus assets, including the renovation of Carnegie Building.
- Public-private partnership developments, such as McVey Hall and West Hall for first-year housing, and the Pollard Athletic Center supporting Athletics.
- Strategic planning for future academic growth, with action now in place for a new STEM Complex and a new Health Professions Building.
Collectively, these efforts have transformed UND in a positive direction — creating a more efficient, cohesive and visually unified campus.
A unified campus identity
Beyond individual projects, master planning has reshaped UND’s overall campus character. New buildings, landscaping, environmental graphics, décor, signage and wayfinding all contribute to a consistent and welcoming campus environment that reflects UND’s spirit and identity.
A collaborative process built on campus voices
UND is asking all campus groups to participate in the master planning process because each group has a unique understanding of how campus spaces and facilities are used. Students experience classrooms, residence halls, study spaces and gathering areas differently than faculty and staff, who bring perspectives shaped by teaching, research, operations and daily campus functions.
By hearing from students, faculty and staff, UND can better understand what is working well today and where opportunities exist to improve how spaces support learning, collaboration and community. Every response helps ensure the campus evolves in ways that reflect real needs and lived experiences.
UND’s new master planning effort will unfold through five phases — Initiate, Discover, Ideate, Develop and Refine — culminating in a final presentation and report. Each phase includes opportunities for engagement through surveys, working groups and campus forums.
Be part of shaping UND’s future
Beginning this week, members of the UND community are invited to complete brief surveys focused on campus space and facilities usage. Your voice matters, and your input will directly inform decisions that shape the future of UND’s campus. The following are the links to the surveys:
Surveys will remain open Jan. 19 through Feb. 11.
Campus Master Planning Open Forum
Then on Feb. 5 from 1 to 2 p.m., UND is hosting a Campus Master Planning Open Forum in Ballroom CD of the Memorial Union.
“We invite students, faculty, staff, alumni, community members and partners to join an open forum with President Armacost and our master planning consultants, Perkins & Will,” the UND Events Calendar listing of the event declares.
“This is your opportunity to share ideas and provide input on how UND’s campus can best support learning, research, community engagement and student life for the next decade and beyond.
“While the open forum will be available via livestream, we encourage you to join us in person as consultants will actively engage participants and collect input through interactive idea boards.”
Thank you for your participation
Master planning is most effective when it reflects the voices of those who live, learn and work on campus every day, UND campus leaders say.
The University sincerely thanks all who take time to share their perspectives and ideas. Your participation helps ensure UND’s campus will continue to support learning, innovation and community, now and for generations to come.
