St. Cloud State University has revealed an ambitious new plan to create a more vibrant, connected campus environment.
Every five years, the University updates its Comprehensive Facilities Plan, which outlines the University’s strategic plan for facilities and infrastructure adjustments. Due to the pandemic and budget uncertainty, the University delayed its last update to allow time for thoughtful planning. The current facilities plan was published in 2016.
“As a dynamic, evolving university, St. Cloud State must continually rethink its use of space and ensure that our resources are thoughtfully and effectively applied,” said Interim President Larry Dietz. “This new plan will allow the University to look to the future, while creating a campus that reveals the beautiful, natural environment around us.”
The new plan calls for the removal of several of the older buildings on campus that are currently vacant, closed or underutilized to allow for more green space, creating a park-like environment in the heart of campus over the next few years.
SCSU maintains more square feet of buildings per student than any other Minnesota State institution, highlighting the need to occupy less space while enhancing the campus experience through the pedestrian walkways and increased natural spaces. “We are adapting to changes in campus demographics by adjusting our campus footprint to allow for new and evolving needs,” added Dietz. Longer term plans also focus on accentuating the University’s location along the Mississippi River, creating additional pedestrian friendly areas and events space.
“We are lucky to have such a beautiful campus location,” said Brandon Johnson, Associate Vice President for Academic Operations and Resources. “This new plan will reduce the high costs of caring for aging and unused facilities while allowing us to design a campus that makes more sense for a sustainable and adaptable campus for the future.”
Input on the plan was received from a large group of constituents, including representatives from each bargaining unit. The Minnesota State system office has approved the plan and the state legislature, Minnesota State and the University will use the document as they plan for funding projects.
The University will begin implementing the new Comprehensive Facilities Plan over the coming months.
Historical Timeline
- The original campus began near the river. Growth was slow until post-WWII.
- Major building expansions happened in the 1960s, followed by parking lot expansions throughout the 1970s.
- Our campus continued to expand in conjunction with growth in enrollment in the 1990s and 2000’s.
- 2000: campus expanded with the addition of the Miller Center, ISELF and the expansion of the Herb Brooks National Hockey Center.
- 2014-16: A comprehensive facilities plan was developed through a transparent process that involved a large steering committee, focus groups and gallery walks. The planning team and consultants facilitated more than 120 meetings regarding the plan. It was developed concurrently with the city of St. Cloud’s comprehensive plan.
- Today, our enrollment is closer the enrollment of 1960, but our campus footprint hasn’t adjusted.
Future Plans
Next 5 years: Primary campus realignments, significant reduction in vacant, closed and underutilized space including the demolition of old housing and academic buildings. Focus on enhancements, greenspaces, pedestrian walking paths throughout campus and the campus quad.
Long term 6-15 years: Includes removal of additional identified buildings. Enhancements include a possible new STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, Manufacturing) facility, apartment style campus housing, renovating buildings on campus and additional walking paths and parking initiatives across campus.
A recording of the campus webinar can be found here.
