The Texas State University System Board of Regents recently released the approved Master Plan for the system, which also included increased costs for students and a degree name change.
According to the 2013-2020 campus Master Plan, the goals set are to improve space for the growing campus in the academic, residential, parking and recreational/athletic areas.
The campus infrastructure needed a comprehensive review focusing on the renewal of existing systems and expansion to serve new facilities, University President Dana Gibson, Ph.D. said. A conscious effort has been made to update the master plan and build on the efforts of the 2008 plan as a planning tool to give the university the flexibility to address changing demographics and teaching approaches.
Some of the proposed construction projects include South district residence facilities, a South dining facility, new academic buildings for nursing and biology, and an agricultural and engineering technology building.
The university system Master Plan listed approved costs set to go up in Fall 2013. The costs included a rise in all meal plan options and in room rates. The raise in price depended on which meal plan and room was selected.
The increases are a reflection of students expectations to provide a strong food service program, Gibson said. Meal plans are the foundation of our dining program. The structure, pricing and programs are designed to ensure the right mix of plans and improve the value and satisfaction to our customers.
SHSU also applied to have a degree name change request for its Master of Arts in Community Counseling. The TSUS approved and the name was changed to the Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling degree. The name change will not involve any change to the degree plan.
SHSU President Dana Gibson gave a statement regarding the importance of a Master Plan for a university and how the current one will help guide SHSU in the future.