The State Board of Education has signed off on a new long-range development strategy for Boise State University that abandons rigid building blueprints in favor of broad activity zones across the urban campus.
Board members voted unanimously Wednesday to approve the university’s 10-year master plan, which officials say will allow the institution to respond more quickly to funding opportunities and enrollment changes without constant plan revisions.
New Zoning-Style Approach
Chief Operating Officer Annie Hightower explained to the board that previous master plans proved “too prescriptive,” locking the university into specific building sites years in advance. When circumstances changed, any deviation required “costly and time-consuming” amendments through city planning processes.
The revised framework instead designates zones for general campus functions—academic research, housing, and student life—while leaving specific construction decisions flexible. Hightower compared the approach to municipal zoning codes that guide development without mandating exact outcomes.
Associate Vice President for Campus Operations Drew Alexander said the plan anticipates 9% growth in undergraduate enrollment and 11% growth in graduate programs over the coming decade. Meeting that demand would require adding more than 270 staff positions, 750 student beds, and 370 parking spaces.
Four Priority Areas
Alexander outlined four focus areas that will shape campus improvements:
Academics and research: The university faces a “significant deficit” in research facilities compared to similar institutions, according to Alexander. Plans call for a new science research building already in the approval pipeline, along with renovations to existing structures and a shift toward shared, interdisciplinary spaces.
Student housing and campus life: The plan identifies multiple potential housing sites and expansion strategies, allowing administrators to adapt to market conditions and available funding. Expanded recreation facilities, dining options, and study spaces are also planned to boost student retention.
Mobility and infrastructure: Improvements to pedestrian and bicycle access are planned for key routes including the Boise River Greenbelt. Traffic safety enhancements near the Morrison Center and along University Drive are also outlined.
Campus and community integration: Alexander noted that infrastructure decisions at the urban campus create “ripple effects” throughout surrounding neighborhoods. The plan emphasizes coordination with local planning agencies and integration with adjacent communities.
Broad Stakeholder Input
University officials spent more than a year developing the plan, gathering feedback from over 300 participants including students, faculty, staff, community members, and local government officials, according to Hightower.
State Board Vice President William Gilbert said the flexible framework will streamline future project approvals and lead to more substantive discussions. Board President Kurt Liebich praised the plan’s approach to prioritizing capital uses, calling it “very well done.”
Funding Questions Remain
Liebich acknowledged uncertainty around funding sources for the ambitious plan, referencing the university’s $500 million philanthropy campaign and the possibility of state appropriations or new fundraising efforts.
The question comes as Idaho colleges and universities face tighter budgets. State lawmakers this year canceled $33.7 million in projects funded through the Permanent Building Fund amid budget pressures. Higher education institutions absorbed $7.7 million in combined cuts for the next fiscal year—a disproportionate share of overall reductions.
Gilbert told Liebich the new plan’s flexibility will help address funding uncertainties more effectively, focusing on adjusting existing assets and the overall mix of facilities rather than simply planning new construction.
The complete master plan is available through the State Board of Education.