Campus Master Plan unveiled

The final draft of the Coastal Carolina University Master Plan, a comprehensive blueprint outlining the future direction of the institution’s physical plant, was approved by the Board of Trustees at its February meeting. Developed by Sasaki Associates Inc., a planning/design firm based in Watertown, Mass., the plan is designed to make the best use of the property’s natural landscape while fulfilling the vision of the University community.

The plan evolved through a series of meetings with the Master Plan Committee, a broad-based group of University stakeholders including students, faculty, staff and community members. Beginning in March 2010, the committee held workshops to gather information and form ideas about the objectives of the plan. During the summer and fall, the committees met in work sessions to test scenarios for the University’s growth needs. It became clear that the stakeholders favored a plan that would respect the heritage of the institution, while accommodating a robust rate of growth.

The final plan anchors the core academic buildings of the University in the center of the campus and places administrative and auxiliary functions around the perimeter. The plan emphasizes the use of natural open spaces and calls for pedestrian pathways, new student housing and centers for student life. Building configurations in the plan maintain the 10-minute class change interval and promote a sense of community.