Master Plan we can be proud of

IU’s Bloomington campus has long been considered one of the most beautiful in the nation. With lush greenery and picturesque limestone buildings, it is a great thing to look at. But as any weathered student will tell you, it can be a hassle to navigate.

The administration has noticed these complaints. On Feb. 20, the board of trustees approved a Master Plan to better manage campus development. This gives a future vision for the school that will significantly improve facilities and living conditions.

Most importantly, the plan seeks to expand research and academic space per student. IU trails behind peer institutions in these areas, and the Master Plan will add 4 million square feet of academic and auxiliary space to the Bloomington campus for this purpose.

The plan also identifies problem traffic areas. IU students are familiar with the backup of buses that occurs at Seventh Street and Woodlawn Avenue as well as the congestion of 10th Street. The plan includes improvements in circulation of public transit, automobiles, bicycles and pedestrians.

Importantly, the character of the campus is to be maintained during these changes.
Some of the more drastic changes include augmenting the cultural and academic establishments along Seventh Street and expanding Woodlawn Avenue so academic and athletic buildings will be connected.

Another important addition will be a redistribution of parking spaces. Anybody trying to park on campus knows how difficult it can be to find a spot, and we welcome new thinking about how students’ parking needs can be addressed.

Current students will miss benefiting from the Master Plan’s proposals by a long shot, but the proposals are clearly consistent with promoting IU’s long-term academic and aesthetic success.

While the country suffers from a financial meltdown, it is commendable that the board of trustees is not being skittish about allocating money to better our campus.