The University of North Texas and the professional planners who assisted in the preparation of the Master Plan believe in the premise that the principles guiding the physical design and character of a university are the same as those affecting its academic undertaking. What can be said of the academic elements can also be said of the physical components, that is "the whole is greater than the sum of its parts." Physical planning, to be truly successful, must grow from sound principles while balancing the visionary with the realistic.

During the Winter and Spring of 1996, consultants gathered information regarding existing conditions, institutional plans, City plans, regional conditions, higher education trends, and other pertinent data relevant to the future of the UNT campus. Facility audits and data summaries were prepared. Cooperation with the City of Denton resulted in a complete inventory and mapping of University and City infrastructure.

During the Fall of 1996 and Winter of 1997, numerous workshops were held with faculty, staff, and student groups to identify strengths, challenges, needs, goals and visions of the future. Alternative campus planning scenarios were developed. A twenty-member Advisory Group conducted a comprehensive review of campus planning alternatives and recommendations during the Spring and Summer of 1997. The major recommendations summarized in this document have been approved by this Advisory Group.


2002 Master Plan:

By the Summer of 2000, several recommendations from the 1998 Master Plan had already been implemented. The Gateway Center had begun construction, the Ave. D and Ave. E connection had been implemented creating a new gateway into UNT, a Student Recreation Center was being proposed, and several additional recreation fields were being considered. In order to ensure that the changing needs of the University were addressed and the goals and planning principles from the 1998 Master Plan were met, Gideon Toal produced the Campus Master Plan Update for 2002.