The 2026 Campus Plan consolidates insights from faculty, students, staff, and trustees into a framework for the next generation of campus development.

Building on nearly a decade of investment guided by the 2018 plan, it establishes principles and identifies opportunities—preserving what makes Bowdoin distinctive, while adapting to future needs.

The previous campus plan included new construction, renovation, and building re-use. For this next chapter, the campus planning and design committee wanted to include additional opportunities for feedback, input and brainstorming from our on-campus community.

This plan was proposed and refined through more than a year of sustained conversation with key on-campus stakeholders, structured into three overlapping phases—each building on the last.

The committee held interactive workshops, open houses, and drop-in sessions, resulting in input from hundreds of people. Community members could interact with shapes on giant maps, place indicators on areas they feel need special attention, and attach notes with their own thoughts and ideas.

Cohesion Around Common Goals

GOAL 1

Build a Shared Vision

Transparent, broad participation ensuring diverse voices shape the plan recommendations.

GOAL 2

Invest in What Exists

Bowdoin's campus reflects generations of stewardship. New construction should be limited to address needs that cannot be met by existing buildings.

GOAL 3

Future-Focused Planning

Balance near-term needs with long-term vision; address what can move now and establish principles for decisions ahead.

GOAL 4

Build on Campus Identity

Preserve what works best: a campus that is compact but not cramped, architecturally varied yet coherent, and deeply connected to its location.

GOAL 5

Reinforce Community

Our size creates connections. Invest in gathering spaces that naturally contribute to a vibrant campus culture.

GOAL 6

Increase Connectivity

Extend pedestrian connectivity from the historic quad to the campus periphery.

GOAL 7

Integrate Cross-Cutting Themes

Accessibility, inclusion, and sustainability are integrated across the plan recommendations.

Spatial Strategies

These three principles help to create a unified approach for what to preserve, where to develop, and how to strengthen campus connections.

Reinforce Distinctive Character

The plan preserves Bowdoin’s iconic core while improving how the campus interfaces with its surroundings.

Integrated and Vibrant

The plan strengthens connections between the historic Quad, residential precincts, and the athletics complex to the south.

Focused Opportunities

Direct investment in areas where a single project can address multiple priorities simultaneously.

Next section: Aspirations »