The University of Baltimore will develop a new Facilities Master Plan (FMP)
An Invitation to the UBalt Community
We have launched a secure page on UBalt's intranet, with links containing information about University-wide surveys, town halls, small-group listening sessions, and other FMP engagement activities for our community to peruse at their convenience.
The FMP Task Force has been formed to guide the development of the plan, working in collaboration with the campus community and with the professional support of a competitively selected architectural/engineering (AE) firm with experience in developing Facilities Master Plans for universities in Maryland.
The members of the FMP Task Force are:
Maribeth Amyot
Task Force Chair
Advisor to the President for Strategic Initiatives
FMP Representative, President's Division and Administration and Finance
Ifey David
Finance Manager, University Budget and Financial Analysis
FMP Financial Representative
Jennifer Keohane
Associate Professor, Klein Family School of Communications Design
Director, B.A. in Digital Communication, College of Arts & Sciences
FMP Faculty Representative
Bill Schnirel
Executive Director, Student Development, Student Success & Support Services
FMP Staff Representative
Aaron Wachhaus
Associate Provost
FMP Academic Affairs Representative
Randy Wells, B.A. '23
Student Events Board President
Current student in the Master of Public Administration Program
FMP Student Representative
Brian Winsor
Senior Director, Facilities Management and Capital Projects
FMP Facilities Representative
UBalt has contracted with Ayers Saint Gross (ASG) to work with the institution in the development of the FMP. ASG, selected through a formal procurement process, has extensive experience in higher education campus planning for universities across the country, including many in the USM and in Baltimore. The firm brings an experienced team of architects, planners, space analysts, and others to the Facilities Master Plan initiative.
during Academic Year 2023-24. The plan will cover the period 2025-35, and will serve as a road map for the orderly development and improvement of our physical campus throughout that 10-year period.
The Facilities Master Plan aligns the physical campus with the University's strategic goals. It calls for:
- a comprehensive and long-range (10-20 year) vision
for campus; - the advancement of near-term priority projects within a broader context;
- the identification of opportunities for many areas of the University to work towards shared objectives;
- a flexible framework to support decision-making.
The FMP planning process is collaborative and intended to build consensus.
The FMP will set forth a physical campus plan that supports the University’s mission, strategic direction, and operations. The plan will identify and priorize major capital facilities projects consistent with our current and future needs. In turn, the FMP will be the foundation for UBalt's more active participation in the capital budget processes through the University System of Maryland and the State of Maryland Department of Budget and Management (DBM) in order to receive capital funds for facilities improvements. The FMP will enable a means and funding path to modernize and right-size the campus and to address the considerable deferred maintenance on campus.
TIMELINE
The targeted timeline for internal completion of UBalt's FMP is May, 2024. This will enable documentation for USM Board of Regents approvals in the fall of 2024. The plan will offer an exciting, shared perspective for the physical campus as UBalt moves toward its 100th
anniversary in 2025 and begins its second century.
DEVELOPMENT OF THE PLAN
The FMP will be developed using a collaborative process. Opportunities for meaningful participation by the campus community will be organized throughout the fall 2023 and spring 2024 semesters. Participation and input will be encouraged from all academic areas, all administrative areas, UBalt students, shared governance groups, plus UBalt alumni and City and neighborhood representatives. This will likely include meetings, workshops, surveys, and update discussions at multiple points in the process. Engagement/input will likely be requested with both individuals and with groups using established structures such as colleges, administrative departments, and shared governance groups. These will likely be supplemented by sessions to examine specific needs, such as evaluation of teaching labs or community/gathering spaces. As desired, progress reports and/or check-ins can be held with the University Faculty Senate, University Staff Senate, and the President's Executive Team at milestone dates and/or as standing agenda topics at regular meetings.
The FMP will be aligned with UBalt's mission and direction, and it will be mutually informative with other existing and future plans, e.g. plans relative to enrollment, academics, marketing, technology, financial health, etc. The FMP will be developed in accordance with USM policies and guidelines.
RECEIVING INPUT, IDEAS AND MORE FROM THE UBALT COMMUNITY
Ensuring that the FMP process is iterative, engaged and equitable is an expression of the University's most enduring values. To achieve that aim, we are actively encouraging all UBalt students, faculty and staff to participate in our efforts throughout 2023-24. Scroll up to find out how the UBalt community can participate in surveys, conversations, and more.
"We are encouraging every member of our community to be involved in this key component of the FMP process," UBalt President Kurt L. Schmoke said in a message to the community in early November 2023. "Your thoughts and perceptions will guide the many decisions that make up the process. In turn, the FMP will serve as our foundation for capital investment in the physical UBalt campus over the next decade."