UMR's Campus Plan Approved by the Board of Regents

The University of Minnesota Rochester’s Campus Plan was approved by the Board of Regents on September 12, 2024. 

This approved plan is a catalyst for the next, Bolder phase of UMR’s history, as the campus continues to innovate and expand academic programs in concert with the health care workforce needs at Mayo Clinic, across Minnesota and beyond. The plan supports UMR as the campus strives toward its vision to “inspire transformation in higher education through innovations that empower graduates to solve the grand health challenges of the 21st century.” 

The University recognizes that, like any new venture charting its future, UMR requires flexibility in its facilities model to support dynamic growth. To date, the UMR campus is a long-term tenant in six downtown facilities, including the Student Life Center (former DoubleTree Hotel), University Square in the Galleria, 318 Commons, Residence at Discovery Square, One Discovery Square and Two Discovery Square. Two critical principles have been consistent factors in facilities development for this new campus: keeping students in walkable proximity to internship and research opportunities and making prudent financial decisions to keep student costs as low as possible. 

UMR’s new plan was crafted over the last academic year, with input from students, faculty, staff and many community partners including the City of Rochester and Destination Medical Center. 

“To bring these plans to life we will need new partnerships and strategic investment. We are grateful to our community, corporate and philanthropic partners who contributed to this plan and excited to continue those conversations as we begin to work on our near-term priorities,” said Chancellor Lori Carrell. “As we make next-step decisions, we’ll be guided by three principles: students are at the center, research informs practice, and partners make it possible.”

The near-term priorities specified for the next three years include:

• Creating functional, healthy and accessible UMR spaces in the Heart of the City, updating and expanding active learning classrooms and other mission-critical facilities.
• Planning with partners for new specialty spaces including a Heart of the Campus central gathering area; an Instructional Development Center to share our educational innovations broadly; an Internship and Career Center; facilities to enhance recreation and student life; and other high-tech, high-touch spaces to support new academic programs for the evolving environment of digital health and mental health. 
• Committing to progress toward carbon neutrality in everything we do, including a new approach to “green leases.”   

Longer range expansion will focus on mission-aligned development with partners, potentially including student housing or other endeavors in the Education District which is connected by Discovery Walk to UMR’s other facilities in Discovery Square and the Heart of the City. 

“When I first visited our campus in Rochester, it was immediately clear to me the tremendous potential for the University of Minnesota to expand its footprint in this stunning city of destination health care. It is a booming city with an exciting medical future, and so as Minnesotans look to U of M to help drive the health and well-being of our society, I am confident the University of Minnesota Rochester will be positioned to deliver solutions for generations to come,” said President Rebecca Cunningham.

As UMR advances, we remain grateful to members of the Rochester Higher Education Development Committee (RHEDC), Greater Rochester Advocates for Universities and Colleges (GRAUC), Mayo Clinic, IBM, the Rochester Area Chamber of Commerce, and all the citizen advocates and elected officials who successfully launched a University of Minnesota campus in Rochester including then Governor Pawlenty and UMN President Bruininks. UMR’s academic programs, faculty research, student outcomes, and graduates meeting health care workforce needs are a testament to the presence of the University in this community.