Frequently Asked Questions

The selection and prioritization of current projects were guided by the College's goals for the Campus Master Plan, which include:

• Improving facilities to enhance the student and faculty experience.
• Addressing capacity, deferred maintenance, and accessibility issues.
• Achieving operational carbon neutrality by reducing energy consumption and expanding renewable energy installations.
• Strengthening the campus’s identity and connection to the Salisbury community.

The decision-making process involved:

• Extensive stakeholder input from students, faculty, staff, alumni, board of trustees and visitors, community members, and donors through focus groups and surveys.
• Collaboration with campus planning experts, including Little, CMTA, RMI, Walker, and Credo, who provided technical assessments of space utilization, existing conditions, and sustainability opportunities.
• Engagement of the Board of Trustees and the President’s executive visioning committee to establish priorities that align with the College’s strategic aims and Horizon.

These projects will enhance the campus experience in a wide variety of ways:

• Student Experience - Updated residence halls, new common gathering areas, and enhanced outdoor spaces will improve quality of life and create opportunities for social and academic engagement.
• Faculty & Staff Experience - Modernized academic and support services buildings and offices will support faculty and staff recruitment, retention, and well-being.
• Sustainability - Energy-efficient upgrades and renewable energy installations will reduce environmental impact while showcasing the College’s leadership in sustainability.
• Community Engagement - Improved connections to Salisbury and enhanced public spaces will strengthen the College’s role as an anchor institution.

• Funding sources include a combination of private donations, grants, and strategic use of the College’s financial resources, including endowment income.
• Our upcoming comprehensive campaign aligns with our strategic and master plan priorities and will also play a key role

The College aims to minimize impacts on tuition, room, and board by relying on external funding and efficient financial management to support these projects.

The new residence hall and the renovations on Stanback Hall are scheduled to be ready for the Fall 2026 semester. Renovations on Salisbury-Rowan Hall will be ready for Fall 2027.

• Yes. Catawba will experience construction chaos - and it will be worth it! Construction comes with disruption, and with multiple projects underway simultaneously and more starting soon, we anticipate some minor disruptions to our day-to-day activities. We are committed to minimizing the effects and providing the most seamless alternatives. We will also provide regular updates to the campus community regarding construction-related changes. 

The campus will remain open and fully operational during construction. We will provide alternate pathways and entrances as needed to ensure uninterrupted access.

Yes, accessibility improvements are a central focus of the campus master plan. Key initiatives related to accessibility include, but are not limited to:
•    Universal Design and accessibility will be deployed to the greatest extent possible
•    Installing elevators and ramps where needed
•    Enhanced door access controls for accessibility
•    Addressing inequitable pathways and entrances across campus buildings

Yes, alternate pathways or entrances will be provided to ensure uninterrupted access during construction.

There will be additional traffic to campus throughout the various phases of construction. We are committed to keeping our neighbors updated throughout the process.

Yes, the College is committed to engaging local businesses and contractors whenever possible to support the local economy and ensure timely project completion.

Yes, the projects will create construction jobs and will benefit the local economy through partnerships with local contractors and suppliers. We anticipate that improved campus facilities will attract more students, faculty, staff, and visitors to the area, providing long-term economic benefits to the Salisbury/Rowan area.

The next priority projects under consideration and envisioned include:

• Renovation of Barger-Zartman Residence Hall
• Renovation and Enhancements of academic buildings such as Ketner Hall
• Expansion of athletic facilities, including Hayes Fieldhouse, and enhancements to Whitley Field
• Completion of accessibility upgrades and universal design across campus
• Continued efforts to achieve operational carbon neutrality by expanding geothermal systems and renewable energy installations