University of Arkansas at Fort Smith to unveil updated master plan

The University of Arkansas at Fort Smith will unveil its updated master plan at two events to be held on Oct. 9, according to a press release from the university.

The plan, which will be presented to the public at events at 3:30 p.m. and 5:30 p.m. in the Reynolds Room of the Smith-Pendergraft Campus Center, will reveal plans for development of the campus during the next 15-20 years.

Chancellor Paul Beran called the updated plan a "road map" that will guide campus development that reflects the mission and vision of the university.

"It also reflects the collaborative input of the University community and various stakeholders from the region UAFS serves," he said.

The original master plan was first developed and adopted in 1990, when UAFS was still a community college.

"We now have a newly-completed Master Plan," Beran said. "This Master Plan is the first plan for UAFS that reflects the institution as a growing and maturing university."

The announcement of the new master plan is just the latest news from the university, which announced the construction of a $15.5 million visual arts facility at the southwest corner of the intersection of Waldron and Kinkead.

The master plan announcement comes at a time when the university has also made it well-known that it would like to have master's-level offerings on the campus in addition to programs granting certificate, associates and bachelor's degrees.

"We have a vibrant student life on campus, with almost 1,000 students living in UAFS housing," said Vice Chancellor for University Relations Mike Horn. "We are evolving in our academic programs to meet the region's needs, and the physical structure will need to change to meet that."