Letter from the President

Dear Colleagues:

Good campus planning is characterized in the literature by key elements such as an inclusive and participatory approach, sensitivity to the unique qualities of place, insightful analysis and inspired design. The Campus Master Plan for Texas State University-San Marcos was developed paying special attention to these elements. After two years of discussion and planning, involving hundreds of members of the University and San Marcos communities, I am pleased to share this plan with you.

Oliver Wendell Holmes wrote that “The greatest thing in this world is not so much where we are, but in what direction we are moving.” The Campus Master Plan for 2006-2015 supports new and ongoing programmatic initiatives with specific recommendations for additional academic space while understanding and respecting long-term aspirations of enhancing the institution’s image. The Plan defines opportunities for accommodating growth and addresses problems of access and vehicular management. It achieves a student centered, functional, and attractive campus environment as we strive to “Honor the Past – Claim the Future.”

First impressions sometimes convey surprising and unintended messages and landscape, campus architecture’s admirable companion, can play an influential role in creating and shaping a sense of place. Knowing this, we purposefully asked that the master plan include design guidelines for architecture and landscape to help connect the different parts of Texas State and create a sense of place that will remain strong and clear in the memories of our graduates.

Implementation of this ambitious master plan will require continued campus discussion and financial support. With a sound yet flexible master plan based on shared guiding principles, we have a clear and powerful guide for the physical development of the campus over the next decade and beyond, one that we believe fulfills its goals. I am indebted to the people, both at Texas State and in the San Marcos community, who devoted their time to create a plan that proposes a new vision of excellence and diversity for Texas State’s future.

Sincerely,

Denise M. Trauth
President