UM 2020 Sets The Stage For Bright Future At Ole Miss As Construction Continues

A campus known for its acres of greenery has recently become known for stretches of green fences.

It’s no secret that construction has become a constant on the grounds of the University of Mississippi, but those small inconveniences of construction will pay off in the near future.

The plan that has been driving the construction is UM 2020, a strategic plan designed to create a comprehensive vision for the university’s future as growth continues at an accelerated pace. 

UM 2020 includes 39 different renovation and construction projects across the campus. According to the chairman of the Strategic Planning Council (SPC), Noel Wilkin, over “90 percent of the initiatives have either been completed or are in progress.” 
The SPC began the planning stages of UM 2020 in 2010, and the plan was completed in 2012. Since the early phases of the plan were drawn up and implemented, there has been some turnover at the university, but it hasn’t derailed any of the plans for the future. 
“Some people who have contributed to the development of the plan have left, and we have had some turnover in leadership positions,” Wilkins said. “These opportunities often allow for a fresh look at vision, goals and planning.” 
With numerous projects going on at one time, the committee and the university have had to work to spread resources to the most important projects. Wilkin noted the difficulties that come with the implementation of any long-term projects. 
“Managing the competing demands for resources is often the most difficult part of implementing long-range strategic plans,” Wilkin said. “Plans are implemented as soon as it is feasible to pursue the initiatives, and the resources are available to do so. In some instances, more planning is necessary; and, in a few cases, the environment changes and negates the need to pursue certain initiatives.”
While major projects such as the student union, Vaught-Hemingway Stadium upgrades, the new STEM building and others will grab most of the headlines, Wilkin believes that the biggest accomplishment is simply the new opportunities these facilities will give students and faculty members. 
“There have been many improvements to our institution as a result of the UM 2020 plan. It has improved our infrastructure, the opportunities for our students and resources available to our faculty,” Wilkin said. 
For a complete list of projects within the UM 2020 Plan, click here.
The UM 2020 Strategic Plan can be viewed in its entirety, here. 

Steven Gagliano is a writer for HottyToddy.com. He can be reached at Steven.gagliano@hottytoddy.com.
Follow HottyToddy.com on Instagram, Twitter and Snapchat @hottytoddynews. Like its Facebook page: If You Love Oxford and Ole Miss…