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Every brick and pathway on the University of Rochester's campus tells a story of decisions made over 173 years. Instead of ignoring this legacy in their rush to grow and modernize, they chose to listen to it. At the Higher Ed Facilities Forum, Mike Chihoski, Senior Associate Vice President of University Facilities and Services, shared how understanding their campus history is helping shape smarter decisions for tomorrow. The goal wasn't to reinvent the campus but to refine it—a careful balancing act between honoring their rich past while preparing 12 million square feet for the next century.
Letting the Past Guide the Future
The University of Rochester's campus is a living record of its evolution, from iconic academic buildings to green spaces cherished by students for generations. "Ignoring the past risks losing the thread of what makes your institution unique," Chihoski emphasized. The master plan builds on this foundation, preserving what works while addressing inefficiencies and reimagining spaces to meet modern needs.
The 1905 University Master Plan
Chihoski's approach started with a strategic decision to update the university's 2008 master plan only after revising its strategic plan. "The master plan is the physical manifestation of our strategies," he explained. "If we do the master plan first, we're the tail wagging the dog." This decision saved the university from costly mistakes—like a proposed dental clinic that would have been out of sync with future campus plans.
Collaboration That Redefines "Teamwork"
Rochester took an unconventional approach to selecting consultants. Instead of selecting one, the university invested $50,000 in each of the four top firms and gave them two days to immerse themselves in campus life. "We wanted to make sure they put in a full effort," Chihoski noted, "and we wanted to own those ideas." Even ideas from firms that weren't selected are shaping the final plan, ensuring a rich pool of creative input.
This hands-on, immersive approach turned contractors into partners, with everyone collaborating to ensure that each idea was something the university could truly own. "We didn't just want to accept ideas; we wanted to understand them and make them ours," Chihoski said.
Real-World Challenges
The master plan takes on modern complexities head-on. For example, the shift changes at the Medical Center create twice-daily traffic surges, and high-voltage utility lines limit where buildings can be placed. The plan also considers how the pandemic has shifted space usage, with some areas now underutilized daily but still needing to be designed for maximum capacity.
Engagement at Scale
Success requires input from a broad spectrum of campus stakeholders—students, staff, faculty, and community members—who are contributing to shaping the university's future. An executive steering committee of ten members representing various deans and leaders across departments was established, along with an advisory group of about 50 people.
Where They Are Now
With the plan about two-thirds complete, the team is in the synthesis phase—pressure-testing which ideas truly align both strategically and financially. This phase marks a significant improvement from the 2008 plan, which proposed $3 billion in projects without clear execution paths.
Looking Ahead
As Chihoski emphasized, 'We don't just plan to tell us what we should do tomorrow, we also plan to tell us what we shouldn't do today - what mistakes if we make today are going to prevent us from realizing those long-term strategies we're trying to achieve.' While some leaders are still grappling with predicting next year's enrollment, Rochester is crafting a flexible framework to support decades of growth.
At its core, this isn't just about planning buildings. It's about creating a foundation for boundless possibility—a future-ready campus rooted in its past. In doing so, the University of Rochester isn't just planning for the next century of education—it's building a campus that honors its history while embracing the future.
Watch the full talk here:
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