![Freshman Residence Hall Render](/about/campus-master-plan/images/Freshman-Residence-Hall-Render.webp)
As previously reported, the Board unanimously approved Samford Horizons, the university’s new campus master plan that is based on the university’s strategic plan, Fidelitas. The Board also endorsed a plan to proceed with the first phase of projects under Samford Horizons to include a new residence complex for first year students, two new residence halls for upper division students, and approximately 500 new parking spaces, with total estimated costs of $188 million. The new freshman residence complex will consist of a west building and an east building connected by modern and inviting community spaces. The plan for next year is to house women in the west building and men in the east building.
Construction on the projects included in this first phase will begin immediately and is scheduled to be completed for the start of the fall 2025 semester. In developing the new plans, Samford convened a world class group of advisors and consultants, including Johnson Controls, Landmark Development, Robins and Morton, Davis Architects, Perkins and Will, Accenture, Dentons, Citigroup and Steifel, among others. Faculty, staff, and students on the University Council, Samford's internal strategic planning committee, also provided important input and guidance.
Three new faculty members were approved in Howard College of Arts and Sciences and Cumberland School of Law. A list of 327 candidates for fall graduation was approved by the trustees, and following their vote, trustees continued their long-standing tradition of praying for the students as they prepare to graduate.
The Board authorized undergraduate tuition and room and board rates for the 2023-24 academic year. The Board approved resolutions to authorize the naming of the Cooney Contracts and Risk Management Clinic in Cumberland School of Law and to recognize the bicentennial celebration of the Alabama Baptist State Convention.
In a series of reports by university administrators, trustees heard updates on the university budget and investments, campus life, student recruitment, university advancement and athletics.