Building the Future: ISU's Campus Master Plan

Idaho State University is in the midst of a transformative period, guided by a comprehensive 30-year Campus Master Plan that will shape the university’s physical development for decades to come. This plan, officially approved by the Idaho State Board of Education and the Permanent Building Fund Advisory Council in December 2024, is the cornerstone of ISU’s ambitious vision, ensuring that all developments are strategic, data-driven, and focused on long-term success.

The Master Plan is designed to position ISU as a thriving hub for education, groundbreaking research, and meaningful community engagement. It acknowledges ISU’s vital role not only in shaping the lives of its students but also in contributing to the broader regional and national landscape. This forward-thinking outline provides a clear and actionable roadmap for how ISU will strategically manage and develop its land, buildings, and vital infrastructure. The Master Plan involved meticulous planning, detailed analysis, and invaluable input gathered from the diverse voices of faculty, staff, students, alumni, and community members at all of ISU’s campuses. 

A New Era for Life Sciences

ISU is on the cusp of a transformative era for its life sciences programs, marked by a substantial investment in a cutting-edge life sciences building. This project comes as a direct response to the recognized limitations of the existing Gale Life Science building, which no longer aligns with contemporary educational methodologies and the advanced demands of modern scientific research. 

The envisioned facility is set to be a beacon of innovation and learning, featuring state-of- the-art laboratories equipped with the latest technology, adaptable learning spaces designed to foster collaborative and interactive education, and modern anatomy labs that will provide an unparalleled training environment for aspiring health care professionals and researchers. 

Working in close collaboration with the Idaho Division of Public Works, ISU is poised to initiate the professional architectural design and planning phase for this landmark project in the fall of 2025. The ambitious but achievable goal is to complete construction and unveil the new life science building in time for the fall semester of 2029. 

Bolstering Medical Education to Address Idaho's Growing Health Care Demands 

One of the most pressing issues in Idaho’s health care landscape is the recognized shortage of primary care physicians. This shortage has broad implications for access to health care services, particularly in rural and underserved communities. Physician assistants (PAs) are broadly relied upon as essential health care providers who deliver high-quality primary care. The PA program at ISU stands as a cornerstone of health care education in addressing these escalating needs throughout the state of Idaho and is currently at the forefront of significant expansion and modernization efforts. In direct response to the imperative of meeting the state’s growing need for qualified health care professionals, ISU is actively working to enhance the program’s infrastructure. 

A pivotal component of these strategic improvements involves the renovation and expansion of existing facilities located within the Roy F. Christensen Complex that will become the home for PA students in Pocatello. Currently, the project is in the schematic design phase to ensure that the new facilities will optimally serve the program’s educational objectives and the evolving needs of its students. 

The university anticipates breaking ground on the construction project in Fall 2025. This timeline reflects a commitment to moving forward efficiently to effectively bring the enhanced facilities online as quickly as possible.

Strategic Housing Solutions

Currently, ISU confronts a considerable housing deficit, directly impacting student enrollment and campus life. Recognizing this urgency, the university is actively investigating the viability of forging public-private partnerships to revitalize existing housing facilities while concurrently expanding the total number of available units, ensuring a more robust and sustainable living environment for students. 

The execution of these housing initiatives will be approached through a multi-phase strategy which allows for adaptive planning and ensures that development aligns with the progressive growth in student demand. These initiatives are not merely about constructing buildings, they are intrinsically linked to ISU’s core objectives of increasing student enrollment and fostering enhanced student retention. 

ISU intends to establish a strategic alliance with a private sector partner that possesses a proven track record in the specialized domain of student housing development and construction. 

Growth in Meridian

Following the successful acquisition of crucial approvals from the Meridian City Council, 2025 marked the beginning of a metamorphic phase for the campus. Initial efforts are concentrated on critical infrastructure preparations, including the strategic relocation of existing storage facilities to optimize space for future expansion. Several outdated structures are slated for demolition to clear the way for modern, state-of-the-art facilities.

A significant undertaking involves the rerouting of irrigation canals to accommodate the new campus layout, ensuring efficient water management and landscaping. Recognizing the high volume of traffic in the area, a comprehensive traffic management plan is being developed and implemented in close collaboration with the City of Meridian. 

By enhancing the Meridian campus, ISU is reinforcing its commitment to providing top- tier health sciences education and clinical services to the community. This ambitious expansion initiative outlines a strategic vision for expanding the university’s reach and influence in key regions throughout the state of Idaho.