The future campus was made clear today when the MSU Board of Trustees approved the 2020 Vision master plan.
The board adopted planning principles to guide future growth and recommendations on land use. New zoning ordinances for academic, resident, athletic and other campus areas were also put into place.
“It really congeals everybody’s vision of where we want to be in 20 years,” board Chairperson Colleen McNamara said. “It is truly a legacy.”
The 2020 Vision plan intends to conserve land resources, extend open space and increase the park-like atmosphere of campus south of the Red Cedar River to the level of that on the north side.
“There are still issues like parking and other things but at least we have set a guide,” McNamara said. “It gives a real direction to a situation where everyone had a lot of ideas but they weren’t brought together in one plan.”
The university’s highest governing body has been discussing the plan for more than two years.
MSU President M. Peter McPherson said the plan will not be easily altered in future.
“Variations to the plan will have to be separately voted on and made very carefully,” he said.
“The process engaged enough people over a long period of time that I believe it will have credibility and strength beyond the individuals who worked on it.”
The board also approved the first phase of a $2.8 million renovation to MSU’s track field.
The infield of the new track will be artificial turf and will be the new home for the field hockey team after natural grass is put in Spartan Stadium.
“Because of the stadium renovations made it necessary to move forward more quickly,” Trustee Robert Weiss said. “When you put in the natural grass in (the stadium) other teams, like field hockey, were essential evicted.”
The new track will be on the same land just west of Spartan Stadium but will be built closer to Shaw Lane.
“Hopefully this allows them to compete better and recruit better,” Weiss said.
The field, which will also be used for football practices, is expected to be ready by Aug. 1, 2002 and the track will be ready later that month.
MSU students and faculty will have access to the new lighted track from 6 am to midnight.
The board also named Dr. William Strampel as acting dean of the College of Osteopathic Medicine. Strampel is a professor of internal medicine.
The former dean, Dr. Allen Jacobs, died Dec. 2.
Strampel, a retired colonel, served 26 years with the Army before coming to MSU, and worked as special assistant to the U.S. surgeon general for force protection. He was also acting dean of the college from May 14 to Aug. 18 while Jacobs was on sabbatical.
