What Changes Are Coming To SFA In Deep East Texas?

Growing up in Deep East Texas, I have been coming to Stephen F. Austin State University for events my entire life. Throughout grade school I'd go there for UIL competitions, theater performances, concerts, ball games, etc. Then, I went there for college, where I earned my bachelor's degree. Now, I continue to go there for various reasons. During all this time, I've watched SFA grow, with the most notable change coming when the University of Texas System acquired SFA in 2023.

I've seen buildings built and torn down. I've seen campus roadways added and rerouted. I've seen renovations come to multiple buildings on campus. I've seen logos change over time. But all of these changes pale in comparison to what has been presented as the SFA Campus Master Plan.

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What Is The SFA Campus Master Plan?

SFA built a team of consulting firms, engineers, faculty, staff and more to build this new vision for the university's future. The SFA website describes the Campus Master Plan as this: "The campus master plan is a strategic, multi-year roadmap that will guide the physical development of our institution over the next 15 years."

Basically, it shows what buildings will be built, what physical upgrades will take place, what new additions will be coming to the campus and how the overall physical look of the university will change over the course of the next 15 years.

When it's spelled out like that, it sounds pretty cool. However, when you see the actual renderings of the changes that are being proposed, it gets even more impressive. I'm not just talking about painting a few buildings, renovating one here and there. I'm talking about a complete change of campus.

READ MORE: See Full SFA Master Plan Here

What Are Some of the Changes Being Proposed?

Some of the biggest changes, in my opinion, have to do with athletic facilities. They are proposing bringing both the baseball and softball fields on the main campus. If you didn't know, both fields are currently located with the Nacogdoches city fields on the loop, several miles away from campus. Also, a new soccer stadium has been proposed, as well as a new track and field area, and a new indoor practice facility. These are only some of the additions, there are more than that, not to mention renovations of existing buildings.

But it's not just the student-athletes and athletic programs that will get upgrades through this plan. There are proposals for things like a new art building, new science building, multiple new student housing facilities, new greenhouses, a new welcome center, new parking structures, and more. Again, these are just proposed additions. There are lots more renovations that are included to existing buildings in this group too.

Overall, I think this is a pretty awesome proposal for Stephen F. Austin State University. As an alumnus, I think that the university can benefit greatly from what is being proposed. It's going to take a lot to make it happen, but I think that Lumberjack Nation is capable of it.