Old master plan has evolved into current one

By Lori McCurley and
Jennifer Urban
Staff Writer; Co-Editor

Planning and upgrading a college campus is a never-ending process; advancing technology, growing enrollment and financial status all complicate the effort.

In 1990, William Paterson University started to plan for the improvement and redesign of its grounds with the development of a master plan and Charette. Over the years much has been accomplished, but much remains to be done.

According to Steve Bolyai, vice president for administration and finance, at that time the state government offered aid to those universities that could provide a master plan. While some of the suggestions were not completed, other changes have greatly improved the dynamics of the campus.

Completed projects from 1990 master plan include the construction of the Atrium and Hillside and Century residence halls, the expansion of the library, upgraded football, soccer and field hockey athletic fields, new storage lockers and athletic facilities and the purchase of Power Arts and College Hall buildings. The cost of the improvements totaled approximately $150 million, which was generated by state aid, tuition and student fees.

Due to time and money constraints some plans were never completed. The original plans from 1990 also called for parking decks in Lots 2 and 5, a new academic building in Lot 4, another academic building between the Towers and Science Hall and up to three more residence halls along College Road.

Those projects that weren’t completed have now evolved into the discussion phase of the current master plan.

"With the acquisition of Valley Road and the Power Arts building we need to take a step back and look at the space we have,” said Bolyai. "There have been major changes since 13 years ago."

This time around the university choose to go with a different designing firm, the Saratoga Associates.

Currently the state is in a financial crisis with budgets being cut. The university has to take this information into account when considering future plans.

According to Bolyai, the economic downturn will slow the development of several plans but the university is still moving ahead with the expansion of the Machuga Student Center beginning this May. Funds have been allocated by student center fees, which will continue to increase over the next few years. Bolyai added that the university hopes to start construction on another set of residence halls along College Road by fall 2005.

Another aspect to the current plan is that at least $100 million will be spent on deferred maintenance costs, which includes the basic upkeep of the buildings' heating, cooling, electrical and plumbing systems.

Last summer a consulting firm hired by the university assessed every building on campus. It compiled the findings, comments, and reviews into a database so that the university could keep track of what has been done, what needs to be done and how much each building will cost.

March 27, 2003 Issue