The University Park Campus Master Plan will be a vision to guide how the campus grows and develops over the next decade and beyond to elevate Penn State’s academic mission while promoting responsible stewardship of campus resources and facilities to support the Penn State Strategic Plan vision and goals.
The following focus areas will be included in the plan:
- Campus Space Analysis
- Facilities Investment Framework
- Physical Campus Improvements
- Student-Centered Spaces
- Utilities Infrastructure
- Campus Mobility
Why Do We Need a Campus Plan?
A campus plan provides a future-forward vision to guide physical improvements to support the needs of the institution. This effort to develop a Master Plan for the University Park campus is the first of its kind in over 25 years. Building upon the physical framework established previously, this Campus Master Plan will take into consideration the many new developments, district-level studies, and various planning efforts that have occurred since.
What Will the Campus Master Plan Address?
A primary goal of the planning effort is to align with Penn State's academic, research, and community outreach missions, and assess how potential changes will affect campus facilities and infrastructure. Additionally, the Campus Master Plan will evaluate how recent shifts in higher education—such as changes in teaching methods, technology, and funding models—may impact the University Park campus. This plan will build upon previous plans and will take into consideration the many new developments, district-level studies, and various planning efforts that have occurred since its conception. The Campus Master Plan will also respond to the goals outlined in the Penn State Strategic Plan.
University Park Campus
Who Is Leading the Process?
This 16- to 18-month planning initiative is managed by the Penn State Office of Physical Plant’s team of planners and space analysts. The team has engaged with architectural and design firm NBBJ to lead the development of the final plan. Together, the team will collaborate with industry experts and the Penn State community to ensure the successful development of a Campus Master Plan for University Park.
Who Is Involved?
The planning process will involve the University Park stakeholders and campus subject matter experts. The Penn State community will be engaged broadly and meaningfully through this website, at in person campus events, and via virtual meetings.
Your input is important to help us shape the future of this great campus! The University Park Campus Master Plan outreach process has 3 opportunities to provide feedback and inform the Plan:
- Understanding Existing Campus Conditions [current stage]
- Reviewing Emerging Ideas
- Draft Plan Overview
Check out the Participate page to provide direct input: tell us your favorite things about the University Park campus and share your ideas how it can be improved. Your insights will shape the Campus Master Plan and concepts for how University Park may evolve. As we progress through each phase and develop the Campus Master Plan, we will periodically update the Participate page with new engagement tools and feedback summaries. Stay tuned!
The campus planning process is divided into three phases:
- Discovery & Data Gathering
- Campus Needs & Plan Scenarios
- Final Recommendations & Deliverables
As the Campus Master Plan progresses, we will periodically update the Timeline page with key highlights from each of the phases.
