Due to a request from Kansas Board of Regents asking all universities in Kansas to update and produce a modern master plan, Emporia State is able to look at its facilities and structure to see what needs improvement

A meeting concerning ESU’s campus master plan took place on Monday, Oct. 28

The master plan is a set of goals for a university campus with details on how to attain those goals within a certain time. It allows. ESU has called in Gould Evans, an architecture and planning firm, to design the plan. The firm has designed several buildings and plans for the University of Kansas.

Designing for the master plan began in January of this year and is planned to conclude in the spring of 2014. According to the presentation given by Gould Evans, ESU’s plan includes distinct entrances to campus, improved classrooms and facilities and a possible new building for a pool (natatorium) or a new art annex facility.

So far, the architecture firm has brought ESU three alternatives for what the campus could eventually look like. The firm will then narrow it down to two options based on the comments people have made, and finally to one alternative after that.

“The top priorities of the master plan are the renovations of the residential areas, the addition of new suites and apartments, and the need for more congregate study sites,” said Ray Hauke, vice president of administration and fiscal affairs.

The master plan will also look at updating classrooms and obtaining better equipment for the labs on campus.

ESU plans to spend $151,000 on the master plan, and maybe $10,000-15,000 more if they need more sketches. This will not affect student costs for until years later. If future additions like a natatorium (building with a pool) come to fruition, then a fee may be imposed on student costs, but not without a referendum. Hauke said he was unsure if a fee will appear because it’s too early in the planning process to know.

The plan as of right now is for Gould Evans to narrow down the alternatives based on the comments they’ve received.

Hauke said that the most likely option is to do something with the north entrance to campus for first impressions. One part of the plan suggested they might tear down one of the business or science buildings even though one was just remodeled.

“It’s just a concept and it would take place over many years,” Hauke said, “It would be completed 15-20 from now, but I wouldn’t look forward to it happening.”

Associated Student Government is also involved in the process of designing the master plan. Marissa Germann, ASG vice president and senior marketing major, said now is the perfect time for change at ESU.

“Enrollment is up, the morale and attitude of campus is positive – and buzzing – and we have a president and several leaders on campus who are willing to move forward and really advance our campus for the good of students and the university,” Gerrman said.

Germann said there is no set date for when the master plan will go into effect, only that it looks far into the future. Because nothing is happening instantaneously, there is room for more brainstorming.

For more information or to give feedback on the master plan, visit to the Master Plan Skybox site at Sky2.emporia.edu/skybox/facilitiesmasterplan.