BLINN TRUSTEES BEGIN DISCUSSION ON DISTRICT-WIDE MASTER PLAN
The Blinn Board of Trustees has begun the process of fleshing out the College District’s first-ever district-wide master plan.
Trustees met Tuesday with consultants from Gensler to discuss the details of the plan, which will cover specific goals and visions for the College across its entire 13-county area. The plan will include development strategies concerning current facilities and assets, options for new construction, and how the district is perceived both internally and in the community.
Lead consultant Alan Colyer said the information gathered and feedback received through the planning process will formulate a plan that can be used over the next five, ten, and 20 years.
The plan will involve a facilities condition assessment and the analysis of space utilization and demographics. Through the plan, the district will review its educational mission, challenges expected in the coming years, and strategies for its satellite campuses.
Topics discussed by trustees at the meeting included asking what could be done to expand upon existing community partnerships with Brenham ISD and Texas A&M University, along with prospects for a new partnership with Prairie View A&M University to expand into Waller County. They also discussed the possibility of establishing four-year degree programs.
The next step will involve a series of “visioning sessions” with Blinn employees to consider the opinions and ideas of key stakeholders within the district. A pair of meetings will be held October 29th on the Brenham Campus to discuss plans districtwide and in Brenham. Another meeting is scheduled for November 3rd on the Bryan Campus to go over plans for the Bryan and RELLIS Campuses. Colyer said these meetings will have a “more prescribed, linear progression of discussion” compared to Tuesday’s freeform conversation.