TEN YEAR PLAN

Over the next ten years, the University will focus on campus renewal, addressing deferred maintenance, improving overall operational efficiency, and enhancing campus facilities and open spaces with the greatest need and greatest potential to improve student success, enrollment growth, innovation, or community engagement.

The campus plan supports this strategy with an inventory of proposed capital investments, linked to initial prioritization and phasing recommendations to guide the timing of their implementation. For the ten-year plan, there are two main phases: near-term priorities, and the remainder of the ten year plan.

Key proposals for the near-term priorities include the revitalization of the Yard with new landscape and open space amenities, walkability and accessibility improvements in key locations, decreased parking congestion through optimized and incentivized parking lot utilization, rehabilitation of Lott Hall to facilitate subsequent residential renovations, and the targeted renovation of facilities such as the Whitney HPER Complex. Fundraising for these projects will be prioritized.

Once these improvements are underway, a second phase of projects will be implemented in support of Alcorn’s mission. Some of these projects, including residence hall renovations, new consolidated parking lots, and ASU Drive streetscape improvements, will be enabled by the near-term priority projects. Other key second phase projects include a new Welcome Center complex at the Carter Dairy, an innovative renovation of the Boyd Library, and a significant expansion of Alcorn’s active research efforts, through the provision of enhanced research facilities and renovated staff housing, which supports researcher recruitment and retention.

These phases are meant to be flexible. The University may shift projects between the near-term priorities, ten year plan, and long-term vision as needs and funding opportunities evolve. The campus plan’s financial model and recommended funding sources are described in Chapter 5.

Campus locations receiving priority focus in the ten year plan will include, among others:

• The Yard, with an enhanced landscape, new shade trees, a dining terrace, a central event pavilion, and Alcorn Avenue pedestrianization trials, as well as a renovation to the Library

• The Whitney HPER Complex, with a major renovation and expansion, along with increased utilization of surrounding parking lots

• The Gateway Village, with a renovation and addition to the historic Carter Dairy to accommodate a new Welcome Center and spaces for recruitment, admissions, and agriculture programs, as well as new monument signs and enhanced landscaping along the main campus entrance

• The Honors Residence Hall, with a new hall, quad, reactivated cafe, and consolidated parking

• Heritage Village, with the existing front drive and median flexibly converted into a pedestrianized “front lawn” for the neighborhood, as well as an improved parking lot and new shade trees

• Older residence halls, with renovations of all four to improve amenities and systems

At the Natchez Campus, priority will be given to the renovations and expanded family clinic in the Balmat School of Nursing, followed by space reallocation for new degree programs and community services in the former Graduate Business Building.

Enhance student life and facilitate enrollment growth with a second honors residence hall and quad, rec field, and re-opened cafe

Attract faculty and staff with renovated apartments

Facilitate innovative educational opportunities through the renovation of the Boyd Library

Bring life back to the Campus Core via a dining terrace, amphitheaters, a central pavilion, and new paths and furniture

Create an alternative to socializing in the parking lot by blocking off the front drive for pedestrian use, on most days, with shaded seating areas

Facilitate streetscape and walkability improvements by building consolidated peripheral parking lots

Reallocate space for new programs, renovate labs for the School of Nursing, and expand the Family Clinic

Facilitate innovative educational opportunities through the renovation of the Math and Science Building

Renovate older residence halls to recover housing capacity and attract enrollment

Decongest parking by incentivizing use of remote lots through pricing and convenient new paths to key destinations

Reinforce Alcorn’s research efforts with facilities such as a new hydroponics greenhouse

Renovate and expand the Whitney into a multi-use complex for athletics, recreation, events, wellness, and academics

Empower and engage the campus community with volunteer tree planting days and informal pocket park installations, to serve as prototypes for more permanent investments

Existing Buildings

New Construction, 10 Year

New Construction, Long-Term Campus Boundary County Line

Engage visitors and serve the community at the Carter Dairy Welcome Center

Rework trees, landscaping, and signage at the main entrance to improve the arrival experience