The plan includes the San Marcos and Round Rock campuses, along with five additional university-owned properties. Developed over 18 months, the plan incorporates input from more than 5,000 students, faculty, staff and community members.
The vision, according to the release, is to make Texas State “one of the most beautiful college campuses in America.”
The overview
The plan outlines strategies to support Texas State’s projected enrollment growth to more than 50,000 students by 2033, according to the release.
Five key themes guide the plan:
- Student success and experience
- Academic excellence
- Discovery and research
- Community and connectivity
- Stewardship of resources
In total, the plan proposes 30 new facilities and more than 20 green space projects at the San Marcos location to support the university’s needs through 2035.
The plan for the San Marcos campus focuses on improving campus connectivity and livability through more green spaces, accessible pedestrian amenities and the development of marquee destinations, according to the release. The strategy involves both the renewal of existing facilities and the construction of new buildings and infrastructure.
Several projects are already underway. The release states that Castro Hall, a new dormitory with 1,000 student beds, is under construction and is expected to open in fall 2025. The Math and Computer Science Classroom Building is also in progress and is expected to be complete by the 2026-27 school year.
Future projects include a proposed Integrated Science and Discovery Building has been identified as the university’s highest-priority capital project, supporting Texas State’s expanding research enterprise.
In the Hilltop neighborhood, construction is expected to begin in June on Hilltop Phase 2. The project will add two new residence halls with a combined 1,500 beds, a new 550-seat dining hall and a large green space.
The master plan also identifies 22 university buildings for full renovation. Of those, 14 are academic facilities, including the Chemistry Building, Derrick Hall, Evans Liberal Arts, Flowers Hall, Supple Science and Taylor-Murphy Hall, among others.
On the other hand
The Round Rock campus is also a focus of the 2035 plan. According to the university, the campus will expand in four stages as enrollment grows to an anticipated 10,000 students over the next decade.
Construction is already underway on Esperanza Hall, an academic building that will enable the campus to serve up to 6,000 students upon completion.
Future development plans for the Round Rock campus include a new Life Sciences building, three additional academic buildings, and two residence halls to support on-campus student life.
Another possibility identified in the plan is for the Round Rock campus to eventually host the entire Texas State online program. According to the release, this move would align with the university’s broader strategy to offer flexible degree access to students across the state.
Texas State currently has multiple co-enrollment and guaranteed transfer agreements that allow students in Dallas, Fort Worth, Houston, San Antonio and other cities to take classes near home while completing a Texas State degree.
Also of note
For the first time, the master plan includes a vision for managing and elevating Texas State’s surface water assets.
According to the release, the plan outlines a long-term strategy for Spring Lake, which is the headwaters of the San Marcos River, along with Sewell Park and Weissmuller Spring. Under the plan, Spring Lake and Sewell Park will be connected to the Great Springs Project, a 100-mile regional trail system linking the four major springs between Austin and San Antonio.
Planned improvements in this area include the construction of a new Welcome Center, improved and expanded nature trails, and the renovation of The Meadows Center for Water and the Environment to better align the facility with its mission of environmental research and stewardship.
Infrastructure improvements are also expected around Aquarena Drive, where the university plans to elevate the road where it crosses the San Marcos River. New dedicated pedestrian crossings under the bridge are included in the plan to improve safety and walkability in the area.
