Campus Development

Sustainability is incorporated in planning, design and building practices campus-wide.

Capital projects, those estimated to cost $2 million or more, must be prioritized and approved at several university levels and reach ultimate authorization through the Arizona Board of Regents (ABOR). Such projects typically begin with deans and department heads working with Campus and Facilities Planning to define a project scope, site, program, and budget. Once approved by ABOR, capital projects are designed and constructed under the guidance of staff within the department of Facilities Design and Construction. Once complete, facilities are managed and maintained by Facilities Management, Real Estate Administration, and Parking and Transportation services. These and other supporting departments within the Office of Business Affairs are responsible for the ongoing creation and operation of the physical campus.

Smaller projects are created through other processes, typically involving many of the same departments, depending on project specifics.

Overall, the primary guidance for the physical development of campus is provided by the 2003 Campus Comprehensive Plan. This plan indicates locations for future projects, and the conceptual arrangement of circulation patterns, open spaces, and building forms. Policies for the implementation of the plan are provided, along with design guidelines applicable to the design of specific projects. Sustainability is a thread throughout the Plan, and there is a section of specific recommendations for moving the campus in a more sustainable direction.

One such recommendation has to do with adopting "green building" standards associated with the LEED system of ranking green building performance. The LEED ("Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design") Green Building Rating System™ is the nationally accepted benchmark for the design, construction, and operation of high performance green buildings. At this point, the University has established a goal of constructing future buildings to the Silver LEED standard. The conceptual diagram shows the first UA building anticipated to receive the LEED Silver Certification. Additional information on the LEED system is available at the US Green Building Council Website, and at Facilities Design and Construction's Sustainability Web Page.

Sustainable campus development is further supported by the Campus Arboretum, and the Campus Historic Preservation Plan. The Arboretum is the steward of the campus landscape heritage, providing insight into important existing and future plants which make up the backbone of the campus "green infrastructure." The Preservation Plan promotes sustainability through a program to maintain structures and landscapes into the future — ensuring that decisions we make today do not deprive future generations of a connection to their campus heritage.