{"id":45609,"date":"2026-01-20T16:46:23","date_gmt":"2026-01-20T22:46:23","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blogs.und.edu\/und-today\/?p=45609"},"modified":"2026-06-22T13:35:29","modified_gmt":"2026-06-22T18:35:29","slug":"building-on-success-und-seeks-community-input-for-new-master-plan","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.und.edu\/und-today\/2026\/01\/building-on-success-und-seeks-community-input-for-new-master-plan\/","title":{"rendered":"Building on success: UND seeks community input for new Campus Master Plan"},"content":{"rendered":"

Survey and Open Forum announced as UND invites community to help shape the future of campus<\/strong><\/p>\n

\"View
Aerial view of campus. UND archival image.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Following the successful completion of UND\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ve heard from many campus members and visitors about the remarkable transformation of our campus,\u201d said President Andrew Armacost. \u201cThis 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.<\/p>\n

\u201cJust as we did with the development of UND LEADS,<\/a><\/strong> I invite students, faculty, staff, alumni and community members to take an active role in the process because your voice matters,\u201d Armacost continued. \u201cYou will have many opportunities to provide your input. Together, we will continue to shape the future of this amazing university.\u201d<\/p>\n

Campus master planning provides both a pragmatic framework and a design-driven vision for how UND\u2019s physical environment supports academic excellence, research growth, student success, partnerships and community engagement. Together, these approaches have guided UND\u2019s transformation in recent years and will continue to shape the campus for the next decade and beyond.<\/p>\n

Why master planning matters<\/h2>\n

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.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe great work that started with UND LEADS now continues with our campus master planning,\u201d said Eric Link, provost and vice president for academic affairs.<\/a><\/strong> \u201cHere is our opportunity to set forth a bold vision and strategy for campus development for the next decade.<\/p>\n

\u201cCampus master planning is not just about buildings and beautification,\u201d Link continued. \u201cIt\u2019s about making sure that the entire UND and Grand Forks communities are served well by the campus. It\u2019s about creating spaces for life-changing educational opportunities and amazing moments of discovery.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s 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.\u201d<\/p>\n

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 \u2014 an essential part of teaching, research and learning.<\/p>\n

At its best, the campus becomes a living expression of UND\u2019s mission, history and aspirations, supporting today\u2019s educational experience while helping define the University\u2019s future.<\/p>\n

Proven success from previous master plans<\/h2>\n

The impact of UND\u2019s 2016 and 2022 master plans is visible across campus today. A central goal of those plans was not expansion, but consolidation \u2014 using space more effectively to improve quality, functionality and long-term sustainability.<\/p>\n

To date, UND has removed 1,759,445 gross square feet (GSF)<\/strong> from campus and constructed 826,753 GSF<\/strong>, resulting in a net reduction of 932,692 GSF<\/strong>. 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<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

Within that framework, several key successes stand out:<\/p>\n