Campus Master Plan
Shaping the future of Idaho State University, the Campus Master Plan guides the evolution of a vibrant, connected, and innovative campus that inspires learning, collaboration, and growth for generations to come.
About the Plan
The Campus Master Plan was developed through a process of listening, exploration, and discussion that generated ideas and possibilities to meet our community's goals for the campus and how it serves our educational mission.
What is a Campus Master Plan?
The Campus Master Plan provided an opportunity for Idaho State University to leverage what was working, re-examine issues, and prioritize goals. This project guided the physical development of the main campus in Pocatello, as well as the Meridian, Twin Falls, and Idaho Falls locations. The plan outlined short- and long-term objectives with a 30-year framework and served as an extension of the Strategic Plan to meet the educational needs of the state and beyond through a commitment to student success, excellence, community engagement, and lifelong learning.
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Why is It Important?
The Educational Landscape is Changing
The last comprehensive Campus Master Plan had been completed over a decade ago. To stay current with academic, research, and student life needs, the university's goals articulated the concepts that made the University distinctive and meaningful to the community and beyond.
As Part of the University’s Community, Your Voice Matters
Throughout the planning process, we sought input from the university community on the spaces that would make the campus more vibrant, connected, usable, and beautiful. Feedback, concerns, and ideas helped shape the final plan, guiding decisions about the physical campus for years to come. The planning process examined key topics such as buildings, roads, parking, walkways, open spaces, learning environments, and other physical campus elements. The goal was to create a campus that would serve the next generation of students, faculty, and staff.
Process and Timeline
Each phase built upon the previous one to generate ideas and deepen our understanding of the issues and opportunities that informed the campus planning effort.
Understanding the Campus
Campus planning began with a process of discovery—getting to know Idaho State University: its goals, aspirations, challenges, and opportunities for the future. The planning process examined the existing condition and capacity of campus facilities, as well as their current usage. Systems affecting daily campus life were assessed, including connectivity with the broader Pocatello community, the region, and the state. These systems determined the physical framework of the campus and opportunities for sustainable development.
Exploring Possibilities
During this phase, data and analysis were used to create a comprehensive understanding of the campus’s challenges and opportunities. Different ways to organize campus spaces, accommodate new buildings, enhance systems, and enliven campus areas were tested. The results were shared for discussion and feedback.
Realizing the Vision
The strongest ideas were combined into the final Campus Master Plan. This plan defined the character, location, and scope of new development, renovation, and repurposed spaces. Recommendations for campus improvements were also developed. The final phase documented the plan in a comprehensive report and provided a flexible framework to guide future campus decisions.