The Campus Comprehensive Plan process began in March 2024 and unfolded over the course of 15 months, structured around three phases of work:
Phase 1: Discovery and Analysis
Phase 2: Scenarios
Phase 3: Recommendations & Implementation
The process was led by the Campus Comprehensive Planning Committee, composed of representatives from university administration, leadership and student representatives, who oversaw stakeholder engagement and data inputs that informed the plan and overarching strategic vision. In addition to the Campus Comprehensive Planning Committee, a Learning Spaces Planning Committee and Landscape Planning Committee formed to implement a transparent process, engage key campus constituencies and ensure robust input from the campus community to tailor the plans to the unique needs of William & Mary. The committees met regularly in-person and virtually to provide detailed feedback, input and guidance throughout the process and in each phase of work.
Collapsible list detailing planning committee members.
Campus Comprehensive Planning Leadership
Katherine A. Rowe, President
Taylor Brings, Chief of Staff for Business Affairs, Project Manager
Carrie Lynn Cooper, Dean of University Libraries, Chair of the Learning Spaces Planning Committee
Sean Hughes, Chief Business Officer, Chair of the Campus Comprehensive Plan
Tony Orband, Associate Director of Grounds & Gardens, Chair of the Landscape Committee
Dan Pisaniello, University Architect
Sasaki, Lead Consultant
Dharam Consulting, Cost Estimation
Campus Comprehensive Plan Steering Committee
Sean Hughes, Chair, Chief Business Officer
David Armstrong, Chancellor Professor of Physics, Faculty Representative to the Board of Visitors
Jim Barber, Senior Associate Dean for Academic Programs, W&M School of Education
Teresa Belback, Director of Environmental Health & Safety, PPFA Representative
Matt Brandon '92, Associate Vice President for Alumni Engagement
D. Bruce Christian '73, Former W&M Alumni Association Board Member
Carrie Cooper, Dean of University Libraries, Chair of the Learning Spaces Planning Committee
Maggie Evans, Associate Vice President for Student Affairs, Housing & Dining Facilities Representative
William Henderson '26, Student Representative
Allison Orr Larsen, Associate Dean, W&M Law School
Joe Martinez, Chief Operating Officer, Virginia Institute of Marine Science
Tony Orband, Associate Director of Grounds & Gardens, Chair of the Landscape Planning Committee
Will Payne '01, Chair of the W&M Real Estate Foundation Board, Former Vice Rector of the Board of Visitors
Dan Pisaniello, University Architect, Business Affairs
Suzanne Raitt, Dean of the Faculty of Arts & Sciences
Mindy Schuster, Associate Dean for Finance & Administration, Mason School of Business
Matthew Smith, Assistant Provost for Institutional Accreditation & Effectiveness
Owen R. Williams ’23, MPP ’25, Student Representative
Planning Principles
The following planning principles establish common values that guide recommendations and decision making throughout the planning process and during plan implementation.
Embrace all space as William & Mary space.
We will acknowledge that space is a resource that should be shared by all that serves as a platform for advancing collaboration, creating community and facilitating integration among disciplines.
Foster a comprehensive living-learning-working environment.
We will nurture an inclusive environment that supports the academic, creative, social, developmental, and professional needs of students, faculty and staff. We will prioritize access to hands-on experiences and high-impact, modern learning spaces.
Recognize the university's past, place & future.
We will honor our sense of place through design decisions that respect the existing scale and character of the campus and its surrounding environment and acknowledge the elements that contribute to our understanding of William & Mary’s history as we look toward its future.
Cultivate a campus for all.
We will represent and promote the values of accessibility, belonging and wellbeing throughout our built environment and the decision-making processes that shape it, building on the Inclusive Excellence Framework and the Core Value of Belonging.
Leverage the landscape.
We will protect and enhance the unique campus landscape as an inviting learning environment that promotes the well being of the community and demonstrates our commitment to ecological responsibility and climate resilience.
Connect to the community.
We will seek opportunities to promote community-engaged teaching, research, learning and partnerships with Williamsburg, the Commonwealth of Virginia and W&M’s worldwide network.
Commit to a sustainable future.
We will advance environmental resilience and financial stewardship by making the most responsible use of resources in support of our mission, to safeguard the campus for future generations.
Community Engagement
The following methods, surveys and events were held to solicit input and feedback from the William & Mary community.
Website
William & Mary maintained a website throughout the course of the planning process that served as a digital hub for communications, status updates and as a place to share feedback. The website was regularly updated with presentations, analysis, findings, and recommendations, and advertised engagement opportunities.
Surveys
Three surveys of various campus stakeholders were conducted to gather as many perspectives as possible on the campus’ physical planning, landscape and learning spaces. These surveys included the CoMap Survey, Collaboration Survey and Pedagogy Survey.
Student, Faculty & Staff Outreach
In addition to the surveys, in-person and virtual engagements were held throughout the planning process. Over 1500 William & Mary community members participated in a survey or engagement session.
Board of Visitors
The Sasaki team engaged with multiple Board of Visitors stakeholder groups to provide an update on the Campus Comprehensive Plan process and the analysis findings, and gather feedback on the draft planning principles.
Read the Campus Comprehensive Plan
If you experience any difficulty accessing the information due to a disability, please contact us at campusplan@wm.edu for assistance. The following is provided in PDF format.
