Master Plan addresses facility needs on UNG campuses

The first Facilities Master Plan developed for the University of North Georgia (UNG) was recently completed, and will drive future decisions over the next decade regarding physical changes across the university's five campuses.

Chief among the many factors shaping the plan were the university's anticipated enrollment growth and needs and opportunities identified in UNG's 2014-19 Strategic Plan and 2015-20 Academic Master Plan.

"With more than 18,000 students now and anticipated continued growth, this facilities plan is a vitally important tool to help UNG consider future options and address facility needs that will serve our serve our students and campus communities," President Bonita C. Jacobs said.

Key points within the plan include objectives to optimize space utilization, improve pedestrian and vehicular circulation and safety, and strengthen the unique qualities of each campus' identity and culture.

"This plan presents a very thorough roadmap of how we can manage enrollment and demand for student services across all campuses, and identifies potential new facilities and appropriate sites at all of our locations," said Mac McConnell, senior vice president for business and finance.

Other notable items within the plan include:

• Ideas for how the Gainesville Campus can incorporate space and facilities that will be vacated by Lanier Technical College when it moves in 2018
• Proposals for two new parking decks on the Dahlonega Campus
• Proposal for a new academic building to support learning and technological needs of students in the Mike Cottrell College of Business on the Dahlonega Campus
• Discussions for what spaces the Gainesville Campus could use for potential student housing
• More contemporary learning environments suited to STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math), health sciences, and fine and performing arts for all campuses
• Support for growth-related needs such as faculty and staff offices, Student Life facilities, dining and recreation, and parking for all campuses
• Support for the expansion of UNG's presence in downtown Watkinsville through the university's partnership with the Oconee Cultural Arts Foundation
• Plans for additional academic buildings at the Cumming Campus

Before UNG was formed in 2013 from then-Gainesville State College and then-North Georgia College & State University, separate master plans were prepared in 2010 and 2009, respectively. Those plans were also included in the development of the Facilities Master Plan, and proposals from those plans that have not yet been completed were taken into consideration.