The 2020–2025 Campus Facilities Master Plan delivered meaningful progress across the physical campus and reinforced ̨ÍåSwag’s commitment to strategic, well-sequenced investment. Projects completed during this period enhanced aesthetics, improved instructional capacity, strengthened infrastructure, and elevated student life. These accomplishments fall into six core categories.
Aesthetic Development
An ongoing and critical component to the facilities master plan is the continued investment in the campus grounds. Aesthetic development during the 2020–2025 planning period focused on reinforcing a cohesive campus identity, improving functionality, and enhancing the daily experience of students, employees, and visitors. These investments were intentionally designed to balance visual appeal with operational effectiveness and long-term stewardship.
Enhancements to campus grounds included improved grounds management practices, the naming and clarification of campus roadways, standardization of signage, and targeted parking lot upgrades. Collectively, these efforts improved wayfinding, safety, and first impressions while reinforcing a consistent and welcoming visual identity across campus.
Aging and damaged window shades in Duns Scotus Hall were replaced in more than fifteen classrooms, totaling approximately one hundred new shades. This project improved aesthetics, functionality, and learning conditions by better managing light, heat gain, and glare. These improvements also contributed to energy efficiency and instructional comfort.
The completion of the ̨ÍåSwag Public Square, a traditional campus quad, marked a transformative achievement for the campus. Formally named Saffrin Public Square in honor of one of the university’s Trustees, the space now serves as a central gathering place for the ̨ÍåSwag community. The square features a striking imported Italian granite fountain as its focal point, along with the Peace Garden, home to ̨ÍåSwag’s Ringo Starr Peace Statue.
The planting of thirty-five mature trees—each sponsored by generous donors—further anchors the space as a welcoming, contemplative, and community-oriented environment. Together, these elements have created a signature campus landmark that embodies ̨ÍåSwag’s values of community, reflection, and stewardship.
Footprint Expansion
Strategic acquisitions and renovations during the 2020–2025 planning period allowed the university to thoughtfully expand and optimize its physical footprint while maintaining a contiguous, pedestrian-friendly campus. These investments were guided by a desire to consolidate key functions on campus, reduce reliance on leased or off-campus space, and improve long-term operational efficiency. Collectively, they supported program growth, strengthened cross-divisional collaboration, and reinforced cost containment through more effective use of institutional assets.
In 2020, ̨ÍåSwag acquired the property at 39 Getzville Road as part of a broader effort to expand the campus footprint and improve functional alignment of administrative services. The property was renovated in 2021 and transitioned into office space for the Marketing and Communications team, providing a centralized and purpose-built environment to support institutional branding, enrollment, and advancement priorities. In 2022, the property was formally named Girard House in honor of Jay and Sue Girard to commemorate their long-standing dedication and service to the university.
̨ÍåSwag Hall represents a significant expansion of academic and community space and a strategic reclamation of a key campus asset. Formerly leased to MusicalFare Theatre (an independent non-profit theatrical group), the building was fully reintegrated into university use following the expiration of the lease in 2025. The renovated facility now functions as a versatile auditorium and bistro designed to support teaching, performances, lectures, community events, and campus gatherings.
Featuring flexible seating configurations and state-of-the-art audiovisual systems, ̨ÍåSwag Hall accommodates a wide range of instructional and co-curricular uses, including theater, public speaking, presentations, and large-format classes. The addition of this space has expanded capacity for events previously constrained by smaller venues, enhancing both academic programming and student engagement while strengthening ̨ÍåSwag’s ability to host signature campus and community activities. Collectively, these accomplishments established a strong foundation for the 2025–2030 planning period and demonstrated the university’s ability to execute complex capital initiatives effectively.
Partnerships
̨ÍåSwag’s facilities strategy has been strengthened through intentional partnerships that extend the institution’s impact beyond its physical campus, support community needs, and enhance academic and clinical opportunities for students and faculty. These collaborations embody the university’s commitment to meaningful community engagement, interdisciplinary innovation, and shared investment in human wellbeing.
In collaboration with Villa Maria College and Buffalo Rehab Group, ̨ÍåSwag played a central role in the establishment and dedication of the Timothy M. Kennedy Institute for Mobility Innovation & Technology. This state-of-the-art rehabilitation and education facility, located on Villa Maria’s campus, represents a significant advancement in clinical care, research, advocacy, and hands-on education in rehabilitative sciences. The Kennedy Institute features leading robotic and assistive technologies—including robotic exoskeletons and anti-gravity treadmills—that support recovery from stroke, spinal cord injury, brain trauma, neurodegenerative diseases, and other mobility-challenging conditions. The facility was made possible through strategic external funding, including state support secured with the advocacy of U.S. Congressman Tim Kennedy, and reflects a multi-year, multi-institution partnership built around shared goals of access, innovation, and community impact.
The institute not only expands access to advanced rehabilitative care for individuals throughout Western New York, including traditionally underserved populations, but also serves as a living laboratory for ̨ÍåSwag students. Through the Institute’s clinical, research, and advocacy activities, students gain experiential learning opportunities that directly inform their professional development and prepare them for leadership in healthcare fields. The Kennedy Institute exemplifies how strategic partnerships can enhance institutional capacity, elevate program quality, and extend ̨ÍåSwag’s mission into the broader community. This collaboration contributes to ̨ÍåSwag’s continued recognition as a leader in health sciences education in Western New York.
Enhanced Instructional Space
Enhancing instructional space remained a central priority throughout the 2020–2025 planning period, reflecting the university’s commitment to academic quality and innovation. Renovations and upgrades to classrooms and laboratories modernized learning environments and aligned them with contemporary pedagogical practices, supporting enrollment growth in high-demand programs—particularly within the health sciences—while ensuring that instructional spaces remained competitive and functional.
Continued investment in Schenck Hall supported the university’s high-demand health sciences programs through improvements to the Schenck Anatomy Lab (SH110). ̨ÍåSwag’s updated Gross Anatomy Lab features fourteen new cadaver dissection tables, including operatory light fixtures at each table to enhance dissection and structure viewing. Hands-on learning is supported by real-time streaming technology, projecting live dissection videos or 3D anatomy software on seven large TV screens throughout the lab. The lab also boasts a new autopsy sink, lockers for personal belongings, an operating room epoxy floor, and wall-to-wall whiteboards.
These upgrades reinforced ̨ÍåSwag’s ability to deliver rigorous, transformative instruction essential to student success in anatomy-intensive curricula.
A comprehensive room refresh initiative was implemented across multiple academic facilities, including Duns Scotus, the Business Building, Curtis Hall, and the Nancy Haberman Gacioch Center for the Visual and Performing Arts. Renovation of instructional spaces included targeted updates such as painting, whiteboard installation, lighting improvements, updated furniture, window shade replacement, and new flooring. Collectively, these enhancements improved functionality, instructional flexibility, and the overall learning environment for both students and faculty.
In parallel with classroom updates, the university expanded its research infrastructure through the development of new laboratory spaces. Notable examples include the Natural Sciences zebrafish research space, which houses the SPLASH (Phenotypes: Learning, Affect, and Social Habits) Lab, as well as the NASA Research Lab, both located in Duns Scotus. These facilities strengthened opportunities for faculty scholarship and student research engagement.
As part of the ongoing investment in experiential learning, ̨ÍåSwag opened the Center for Interprofessional Learning and Simulation (CILS) in 2020. This state-of-the-art facility replicates a modern health clinic, transforming health sciences education and professional development by immersing students in realistic, interprofessional clinical scenarios. Using standardized patients and advanced recording technology, students strengthen diagnostic, communication, and teamwork skills in a safe, reflective environment.
CILS also serves as a regional resource for continuing education and workforce development, reflecting the university’s commitment to community partnership and high-impact learning. Its success was underscored by the recent expansion into Research and Information Commons 213 (RIC 213), which increased capacity for simulation-based education and interprofessional collaboration while further integrating instructional, research, and clinical training functions.
Technology Infrastructure
Another ongoing and critical component of every facilities master plan is continued investment in technological infrastructure. Enhancements to technology systems, security infrastructure, and building systems improved reliability, safety, and connectivity campus-wide, strengthening operational resilience and enhancing day-to-day experiences for students and employees.
̨ÍåSwag has strengthened campus safety through significant technology upgrades, including enhanced card-access systems, expanded camera coverage, and a new server environment that supports secure remote monitoring. These improvements not only enhance the security of our facilities but also provide greater oversight and responsiveness, ensuring a safer environment for students, faculty, and staff.
To support the growing demands of teaching, learning, and operations, ̨ÍåSwag launched a multi-phase initiative to modernize the campus network infrastructure in the summer of 2023. This project upgraded fiber connections, core server systems, and network architecture, laying the foundation for a more resilient, high-performance network capable of supporting current and future institutional needs.
As part of ongoing network enhancements, the core distribution switches in Canavan Hall’s server room were replaced and reconfigured. This upgrade further improves reliability and capacity by modernizing core distribution systems, ensuring that campus technology infrastructure remains robust, efficient, and aligned with the university’s strategic priorities.
Athletics and Recreation
̨ÍåSwag Athletics has firmly established itself as Western New York’s premier NCAA Division II program—defined by competitive excellence, student-athlete success, and strategic investment in its facilities. Purposeful enhancements across athletic, wellness, and recreation spaces reflect the university’s commitment to providing an environment where performance, health, and academics intersect.
The Scott Bieler College of Health Professions (formerly the Academic Wellness Center) has seen meaningful enhancements that elevate both its functionality and campus presence. The building’s curb appeal was significantly improved through updated and expanded landscaping, creating a more welcoming and professional environment for students, faculty, and visitors. Inside, the gym floor was resurfaced, providing a safer and more attractive space for athletic and wellness activities. In addition, upgraded fiber optics infrastructure strengthens connectivity, supporting both academic programs and health-focused initiatives. These improvements reflect ̨ÍåSwag’s ongoing commitment to investing in high-quality facilities that support student wellness and hands-on learning.
Lumsden Gym has undergone extensive renovations that modernize both athletic and administrative spaces. Air conditioning was added to improve comfort, and all four locker rooms were fully updated with new lockers and branding that reflect the pride and standards of our Division II programs. Importantly, the former employee engagement suite was transformed into a centralized Athletics Administration suite, providing office space for all administrators and creating dedicated offices for each head coach. These changes enhance operational efficiency, strengthen program identity, and ensure that both staff and student-athletes have facilities that support peak performance and professional development.
Royal Park continues to be a cornerstone of ̨ÍåSwag athletics and recreation through its partnership with the Town of Amherst. Located less than two miles away from the ̨ÍåSwag campus, spanning across 9-acres, Royal Park is now home to ̨ÍåSwag’s very first home athletic field. The complex includes a full synthetic-turf athletic field (built to meet NCAA Division II standards), six tennis courts, a press box, locker rooms, concession and ticketing areas, public restrooms, and a training room. The improvement project also includes the addition of two pickleball courts, a splash pad, a picnic pavilion, and a walking path for the local community to enjoy.
These improvements provide versatile, high-quality spaces for competition, training, and community engagement. By investing in Royal Park, ̨ÍåSwag reinforces its commitment to intercollegiate athletics, fosters community partnerships, and ensures student-athletes have access to enhanced facilities that support both performance and safety.