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The Master Plan

Plan Development Process

In 2000, Illinois State began a review of the the campus master plan, which had not been updated since 1995. Below is a description of the planning process that was undertaken to develop the Master Plan 2000-2020: Achieving Distinctiveness and Excellence in Form, Function, and Design.

  • Phase 1

    In November 2000, the President charged the Master Plan Steering Team, consisting of 19 students, faculty, and staff from across all divisions at the University with updating The Master Plan by February 2002. The master planning process included developing campus consensus, acquiring governance approval, and implementing the plan, which is a 20-year vision for the future physical development of Illinois State University that will be updated approximately seven years after the plan is approved by the Illinois State University Board of Trustees.

  • Phase 2

    During this phase (February 2001 - April 2001) the Master Plan Steering Team began conducting focus group interviews. In these sessions, students, faculty, staff and colleagues from the Town of Normal reviewed the 1995 Master Plan and were asked to identify new ideas regarding the future physical development of facilities, grounds, and infrastructure at Illinois State University.

    Each idea was recorded by the Master Plan Steering Team on an index card and hung on "the wall of cards." The Master Plan Steering Team ultimately categorized each idea into one of three themes that now define how long- range development will support Illinois State University's educational vision and mission: reinforcing the benefits of a small-college experience, supporting large-university opportunities, and embracing partnerships with our local communities.

  • Phase 3

    The third phase (May 2001 - October 2001) consisted of three main themes being identified and the Master Plan Steering Team conducting over 50 focus groups and presentations. These sessions were used to develop draft one of The Master Plan. Draft and was presented to the Illinois State University Board of Trustees as an informational item in October 2001.

  • Phase 4

    During this phase (November 2001 - January 2002) over 30 additional focus groups refined recommendations from draft one of The Master Plan. Those recommendations, along with a discussion of the future physical development of Illinois State University, were incorporated into the final version of The Master Plan.

  • Phase 5

    The final phase resulted in Illinois State University Board of Trustees approval of The Master Plan on February 22, 2002. Illinois State University is currently in the implementation phase of The Master Plan.