The University of Missouri - Rolla is one of four campuses comprising the University of Missouri System. Located in the south central part of the state along I-44 midway between St. Louis and Springfield, it has a population of approximately 5200 students including undergraduates and graduate students.

The campus, established in 1870, had grown to 55 buildings before the first campus master plan was completed in 1971, and since then, updates were conducted in 1981, 1986, 1991, 1994, 1997, 2000 and 2002. Now as the University positions itself in the new millennium, the campus master plan is being updated to allow future development of the campus to capitalize on the Missouri S&T’s inherent strengths and shore up its weaknesses.

Among its strengths is the location within the City of Rolla area that allows for the growth and development coupled with the preservation of the campus buildings that reflect the University’s rich heritage. Its weaknesses include the lack of perimeter definition and entry points. The campus has set goals to address these weaknesses. Those goals include designed entries, circulation designs, signage and landscaping. The University’s goals also include development drives for funding these concepts.

Previous editions of the Missouri S&T master plan have recognized that planning is an ongoing process - always in need of updating - to reflect the human needs of current users as well as to anticipate the needs of the future users as global and societal changes influence the educational mission itself. Thus earlier versions of the master plan featured extensive analysis of the Missouri S&T campus and recommended physical improvements consistent with the University needs and direction as they existed at the time those plans were completed. Some dealt with the building requirements, some with support functions such as parking, some with ongoing campus growth and development.

This edition of the Missouri S&T master plan includes most of the goals and expectations of previous editions except with some new ideas, needs and requirements. As previously stated, any master plan is an ongoing "draft" that changes as the campus needs change. This master plan is not an exception to that rule and is designed to be flexible in order to respond to the ever changing needs of the campus.

It is our desire, that the current master plan will give those interested a glimpse into the future of the campus including those physical improvements needed to grow the university well into this new millennium.