To: University Community
Subject: Facilities Master Plan

As you know, we have been involved for the past several years in a continuous
strategic planning process, with an immediate focus on areas identified as
needing improvement. The University Planning Council (UPC) had an active
Focus Group on Facilities and presented numerous recommendations for
assessment in their report, as well as a recommendation that the campus
develop a Facilities Master Plan. As a public institution in the
Commonwealth, we are required to use outside experts to develop a formal
Master Plan. This formal Master Plan will allow us to move forward and
request capital funding for any recommendations made as a part of this
process.

I am pleased to announce that a contract has been awarded to Chan Krieger and
Associates to develop a Facilities Master Plan for the campus with us. Chan
Krieger is an architectural and design firm with extensive experience in
education. Some of their recent educational clients include Brandeis
University, Clark University, Harvard University, the Rhode Island School of
Design , the University of Cincinnati, and the Buffalo Niagara Medical Campus.
Alex Krieger, a principal of Chan Krieger and Chair of the Department of Urban
Planning and Design at Harvard, notes in their proposal that he is "most
interested in how the design of physical environments can best shape social
interactions and facilitate community. Since the physical setting of an
institution inevitably embodies its academic mission and helps define the
quality of life on campus, the establishment of a campus master pan is a
crucial undertaking. . . . . This is best done by broadening the community's
understanding of what is at stake, of consensus building, of the value of
sound planning, and how to participate." We are indeed pleased with the
selection of Chan Krieger to provide Master Planning services for UMass
Dartmouth.

This will be the first Facilities Master Plan for the Dartmouth Campus in over
30 years. We are able to undertake this project now under the auspices of the
state Division of Capital Asset Management with a $400,000 investment of state
bond funds. Facilities Master Planning is a significant step in establishing
a path to sound planning for our future. It will tell us what our existing
conditions are, where we need to invest in repairs and renovations, and where
we need to consider new construction. This will be an intensive, inclusive
process, which will require extensive campus input.

There is much information and good work that has already preceded this
process. Previous reports, as well as the work of the UPC focus group will be
a good jumping off point. The practical yearly work of the Faculty Federation
Committee on Space Planning and Allocation will provide valuable insight into
faculty space issues. In order to ensure a successful Master Plan, we will
need a much larger group to help oversee this complex project. In the next
several weeks, I will be forming a steering committee to oversee the Master
Planning Process. I have asked Provost Tom Curry and Vice Chancellor Don
Zekan to chair this committee. Shortly, I will ask each of the unions, the
Faculty Senate, the Student Senate, and administrative leaders to make
nominations to me of people who should serve on this committee. I will also
include several members of the UPC Facilities focus group. Part of the charge
to the Steering Committee will be to ensure that the planning process is open
and inclusive, and to communicate progress to the larger University community.

I am pleased that we are moving forward on this project, and I know that all
of you will join me in providing the necessary input to Chan Krieger and
Associates.

Most sincerely,
Jean F. MacCormack
Chancellor