The master plan was developed in three phases over 18 months. The University launched the planning process in January 2024, and the Board of Visitors adopted it in June 2025. Learn about the three phases in detail below.
Phase 1: Understand
Engaging students, faculty, staff, alumni, and Norfolk residents was crucial in the development of the master plan. Authentic engagement ensures that the master plan reflects the needs and aspirations of the entire University. Due to this engagement, the University community has a sense of ownership and a commitment to the master plan’s implementation.
An inclusive process that engaged stakeholders across Old à£à£Ö±²¥Ðã’s locations through in-person and online activities shaped the master plan. Scores of University leaders shared their insights during early stage interviews and focus groups. Hundreds of students, faculty, staff, alumni, and Norfolk community members provided initial brainstorming and later feedback through on-campus and online open forums at key decision points. Students expressed their desires and needs with campus facilities at pop-up events throughout campus. Over 2,000 students, faculty, staff, and alumni engaged with the planning team through MapMyCampus. A project website served as an information hub and outreach tool, which collected hundreds of suggestions during the planning process.
The daily life experience of campus users was combined with detailed analyses of campus facilities. Instructional spaces were assessed on how functional and flexible they are and how well they are scheduled. Circulation, parking, and utility analyses indicated pinch points. Landscape analyses highlighted spaces that do not advance the Monarch experience. Sea level modeling revealed impacted campus structures.
Phase 2: Explore
The planning team synthesized data and input collected in Phase 1 to develop a thorough understanding of Old à£à£Ö±²¥Ðã’s needs and opportunities. Planning goals and drivers guided the recommendations and proposed solutions. The University community evaluated alternative campus development scenarios that explored different physical interventions to address campus needs and the planning goals and drivers.
Phase 3: Realize
The planning team consolidated the best ideas from the alternative campus development scenarios into a bold campus vision that is supported by realistic solutions.
The concepts illustrated in the master plan represent a combination of initiatives designed to optimize institutional resources and adjacencies. Implementation of these projects will be a multi-year process and require coordination across multiple University stakeholders. The planning team developed implementation strategies and phased sequencing to help guide the future of campus investments. The result is a master plan that summarizes planning goals, key findings, and recommendations, setting the stage for future enhancements to the University’s facilities.