The University of Baltimore's 10-year Facilities Master Plan (2024-34) was approved by the University System of Maryland Board of Regents in public session on Nov. 22, 2024. The board's action followed the recommendation for approval by its Committee on Finance on Oct. 30, 2024.
The FMP Task Force
Established to guide the development of the University's plan, the FMP Task Force worked 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.
UBalt is grateful to the members of the FMP Task Force for their service to the institution:
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 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 plan 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 was collaborative and intended to build consensus. Opportunities for meaningful participation by the campus community took place throughout the fall 2023 and spring 2024 semesters. Participation and input were encouraged from all academic areas and administrative areas, and included UBalt students and shared governance groups, plus UBalt alumni and City and neighborhood representatives. Collaborations took place in meetings and workshops, with surveys and discussions at multiple points a featured part of the process. Engagement and input were sought from both individuals and groups, relying on established institutional structures such as colleges, administrative departments, and shared governance groups. Various sessions also focused on specific needs, such as the evaluation of teaching labs and community/gathering spaces. Progress reports were presented to the University Faculty Senate, University Staff Senate, and the President's Executive Team.
As a result of these efforts, the FMP sets forth a physical campus plan that supports the University's mission, direction, values, and operations. It identifies and prioritizes major capital facilities projects consistent with our current and future needs. In turn, the FMP serves as the foundation for UBalt's active participation in the capital budget processes through the University System of Maryland and the State of Maryland Department of Budget and Management in order to receive capital funds for facilities improvements. The FMP enables a means and a funding path to modernize and right-size the campus and to address the considerable deferred maintenance on campus. It also is mutually informative with other existing and future plans, e.g. plans relative to enrollment, academics, marketing, technology, financial health, etc. Finally, the FMP was developed in accordance with USM policies and guidelines.
In early November 2023, at the beginning of the community conversation about the plan, UBalt President Kurt L. Schmoke said, "We are encouraging every member of our community to be involved in this key component of the FMP process. 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."
Learn more about The University of Baltimore's Facilities Master Plan.