Motion US04/05-7 ­ Administration Reports on Proposed Major Capital Construction Projects to the University Senate

Action Date: April 13, 2005

Whereas proposed major projects affecting the entire campus are more likely to gain broad support with timely notification and broad consultation; and 

Whereas consensus on proposed major projects promotes both their successful realization and campus-wide morale; 

Therefore, be it resolved that the University Senate requests the Provost to report to the University Senate on major intended project(s) at the earliest date that is reasonable and always prior to seeking authorization for funding of capital construction projects. When funding approval must move forward during the summer period, the Provost will report to the Executive Committee of the Senate. Projects on which the Provost will report include those that:

(1) require authorization from the legislature via the Capital Construction Budget Request;

(2) require authorization from the legislature via the Emergency Board.

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Background to the Motion

The Long Range Campus Development Plan is undergoing a comprehensive update in AY 2004-2005. The revisions include outlining the process for evaluating how major projects meet the policies of the Long Range Campus Development Plan.However, there is no explicit mechanism for involving the Senate in consultation on specific projects in the pre-funding phase of planning.Lack of consultation and late notification can generate misunderstanding and conflict, especially in the case of major projects, while earlier awareness and discussion among the larger campus community promotes successful and consensual transformations of our campus.

The advantages to initiating early and inclusive discussion are overwhelming. Everyone on campus is a stakeholder in the physical environment we share; awareness of and involvement in major projects generate ownership and commitment; and shared governance is a founding principle of our institution.