Plan Development
The University is a unique asset to New Hampshire and represents a significant capital investment in the future of our state. To ensure that investment is maximized and coordinated, the University System of New Hampshire (USNH) requests each campus update its physical plan every ten years. This update ensures a comprehensive development foundation and ongoing planning processes enlightened by prior Strategic, Academic and Master Plans. These planning processes, combined with strong leadership, keep UNH well positioned for the changing dynamics of higher education.
2024 Campus Master Plan Update
Defining the Future of UNH!
Updated December 2025
In summer 2023, the University of New Hampshire selected Perkins&Will as lead consultant in a planning process to update its 2012 Campus Master Plan. Numerous stakeholder and working groups provided input over the course of four semesters to complete a plan presented to USNH leadership in late 2024. A draft of the plan and overview presentation was presented during two community forums held at the Memorial Union Building in December 2024. View the PDF formatted Forum Presentation Here
Background
The Campus Master Plan will guide campus development ensuring the physical campus supports the Four Strategic Priorities set forth in our One UNH: Roadmap to 2030
- Strengthening UNH's Impact
- First Choice Destination
- Interdisciplinary Education & Research Excellence
- Commitment to Well-Being & Belonging<
A Master Plan is the result of extensive collaboration, consultation, and thoughtful input from all campus stakeholders. It is a shared vision created by and for the UNH community. To guide our dynamic campus development, the University has a tradition of plan updates every ten years (our last plan was adopted in 2012) This plan was crafted in coordination with our sister institutions in the University System and includes review of the Manchester campus as well as the University of New Hampshire Franklin Pierce School of Law.
The 2024 Master Campus Plan follows a process of campus engagement which included hundreds of individuals participating in meetings, focus groups, interviews and community forums. The process included extensive analysis of building and facility use, land use, natural systems, mobility and transportation systems, program accommodations, sustainability and other areas.
Campus Master Plans In Recent Decades
Previously adopted in 1994, 2004, and 2012 the Master Plan is a living document written from a point in time. Implementation occurs incrementally and strategically as funding becomes available with the Plan serving as a flexible blueprint. Capital planning and specific project implementation is facilitated by Campus Stewardship and Facilities Project Management whose website can provide further detail about near term projects and activities.
USNH policies require a comprehensive long-range plan that will guide the physical development of an institution for 20 or more years. As a final product the master plan is a comprehensive development strategy that establishes goals and objectives and incorporates specific building space needs, transportation improvements, land use requirements, and a landscape master plan. The effort looked not only at the core campus, but all of the outlying University properties in Durham, Lee and Madbury.