A year-long process culminating in an updated Master Plan for the University of Arkansas - Fort Smith will be unveiled in two public sessions on Oct. 9, revealing plans for the development of the campus for the next 15-20 years.

 

The presentation of the institution’s Master Plan will be held at 3:30 and 5:30 p.m. in the Reynolds Room of the Smith-Pendergraft Campus Center.

 

UAFS chancellor Paul B. Beran, who called the Master Plan a “road map” to guide the development of the campus, said the plan addresses new buildings and the direction of campus growth, as well as design standards to help preserve the campus character in the years ahead.

 

“This is an exciting time for the UAFS campus,” said Beran. “We truly appreciate those who took time to share their ideas with the planning team during the past year. Those ideas have now been solidified, and UAFS will act on this Master Plan in the years ahead, confident that the campus is an integral force within the region in providing higher education opportunity and resources and that UAFS is a guiding force in economic development.”

 

Beran said the new plan reflects the mission and vision of UAFS.

 

“It also reflects the collaborative input of the University community and various stakeholders from the region UAFS serves,” he said.

 

UAFS began the process of updating a 1990 master plan a little over a year ago, selecting SmithGroupJJR of Ann Arbor, Mich., teamed with Crafton Tull of Little Rock as the planning team. Paulien and Associates of Denver, Colo., provided a space needs analysis. Idea generation sessions were held in October and January, involving input from on- and off-campus groups.

 

“We now have a newly-completed Master Plan,” said Beran. “This Master Plan is the first plan for UAFS that reflects the institution as a growing and maturing university.”

 

Mark Horn, vice chancellor for university relations, said that while UAFS still serves certificate and associate degree students, the university is granting baccalaureate degrees in increasing numbers and is moving toward granting master’s degrees.

 

“We have a vibrant student life on campus, with almost 1,000 students living in UAFS housing,” Horn said. “We are evolving in our academic programs to meet the region’s needs, and the physical structure will need to change to meet that.”

 

The Master Plan which will be shown during the Oct. 9 sessions takes a look at the current and projected mission of UAFS, the University’s growth patterns, the city infrastructure and current resources.

 

The plan will be posted to the UAFS website following the Oct. 9 sessions, giving those who are unable to attend the unveiling an opportunity to see it. The website version will include a 3D animation fly-through of the campus.