University Committees: Campus Development Committee Committee

Meeting - August 25, 2025

Agenda

Date: August 25, 2025
Members: Warwick Arden, Charles Maimone, Krista Walton
Subcommittee Representatives: Allen Boyette, Alicia Knight, Barbara Moses, Bill Davis, Cameron Smith, Dana Harris, Doug Morton, Eduardo Lorente, Lisa Johnson, Patrick Deaton, Sumayya Jones-Humienny
Guests: N/A

Approval of the Minutes: W. Arden (1 min.)

Consent Agenda Approval: N/A

Campus Planning Subcommittee Items

Delegated Authority Determinations:
1. The Libraries and College of Engineering, Duke Energy Hall Management MOU, Space Request #24-25: S. Jones-Humienny (5 mins.)
Action Items:
1. 2025 Campus Development Call for Needs Memo (Info Item 25.08): L. Johnson (5 mins)
Information Items:
1. COE, Advanced Aviation and Aerospace Manufacturing Technology Study Request (Info Item 25.11): S. Jones-Humienny (5 mins.)
2. CALS, Research Facilities Act (RFA) Funding (Info Item 25.13): L. Johnson (5 mins)
3. Advanced Nuclear Research Test Reactor Study (Info Item 24.14): D. Morton (10 mins.)
4. Poole College of Management New Business School, Program and Cost Estimate Update, Project #202213035: S. Jones-Humienny (15 mins.)
5. Toxicology Chilled Water Connection (Info Item 25.10): C. Smith (5 mins.)

Other Business

Next Meeting:
September 22, 2025, from 1:30 pm to 3:00 pm

Minutes

Date: August 25, 2025
Members: Warwick Arden, Charles Maimone, Krista Walton
Subcommittee Representatives: Allen Boyette, Alicia Knight, Barbara Moses, Bill Davis, Cameron Smith, Dana Harris, ~~Doug Morton~~, Eduardo Lorente, Lisa Johnson, Patrick Deaton, Sumayya Jones-Humienny
Guests: N/A

Approval of the Minutes: W. Arden (1 min.)
The minutes of the July 28, 2025 meeting were approved and have been posted.

Consent Agenda Approval: N/A

Campus Planning Subcommittee Items

1. Delegated Authority Determinations:
  1. The Libraries and College of Engineering, Duke Energy Hall Management MOU, Space Request #24-25: S. Jones-Humienny (5 mins.)
    1. The MOU proposes that the College of Engineering (COE) and the Libraries receive priority scheduling for the Duke Energy Hall in exchange for the COE’s financial support for the space’s staffing and upkeep.
    2. The Campus Planning Subcommittee raised a concern that this arrangement could limit the Hall’s availability for campus-wide events. After raising this concern, the Libraries and COE agreed to extend priority scheduling to the Office of the Chancellor, the Office of the Provost, and the Office for Research and Innovation.
    3. COE’s need for this arrangement stems from a teaching space shortage. They plan to convert existing meeting and collaboration spaces into two 110 generally-scheduled classrooms and one 210 robotics teaching lab, which would reduce their available meeting space.
    4. The Subcommittee recommended approving the MOU with the key condition that the priority scheduling arrangement must be revisited once programming begins for the new Engineering Classroom Building. The goal is to explore whether multi-function spaces in the new building could serve both teaching and event needs. If advance planning funding for the new building is delayed beyond the end of the 2026-27 academic year, the priority scheduling will be re-evaluated at that time.
2. Action Items:
  1. 2025 Campus Development Call for Needs Memo (Info Item 25.08): L. Johnson (5 mins)
    1. The Call for Needs memo will be distributed in September, with a deadline for submissions in November. This process, initiated last year, is now aligned with the standard two-year cycle, allowing for a full year of preparation before the Biennial Six-Year Capital Plan is submitted in October of even-numbered years.
    2. The Biennial Six-Year Capital Plan includes five distinct categories:
      1. SCIF (State Capital and Infrastructure Fund) Major Repair and Renovation (R&R) Projects: Projects with a budget under $15 million.
      2. SCIF Minor (Maintenance) R&R Projects: Projects with a budget limit of $4 million.
      3. Named and New Appropriated Capital Improvement Projects: No funding limit.
      4. Non-Appropriated Major R&R and New Capital Improvement Projects: Includes self-liquidating projects with no funding limit.
      5. Non-Appropriated Minor R&R Projects: Projects with a budget limit of $4 million.
    3. While the submission process doesn’t grant final authority, it is crucial for prioritizing the master list of projects and gaining a holistic view of all campus needs. The forthcoming memo will state that all previously submitted requests remain part of the Capital Development Plan. However, each college or unit should re-evaluate and submit their top three prioritized needs for consideration.
    4. The Committee approved the memo with the clarification that if there are no changes to a unit’s priorities, they can simply reaffirm them via email without needing to resubmit.
3. Information Items:
  1. COE, Advanced Aviation and Aerospace Manufacturing Technology Study Request (Info Item 25.11): S. Jones-Humienny (5 mins.)
    1. i. Due to growing enrollment and a shortage of research faculty, the Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering (MAE) department is requesting approval to proceed with a study.
    2. The primary goals of this study are to:
      1. Define the research and training objectives for advanced aviation and aerospace manufacturing technologies.
      2. Determine the space and utility requirements for large-scale equipment, including high-bay space and specific electrical and ventilation loads.
      3. Evaluate potential sites based on flexibility, location, and cost. COE requested two sites for consideration: one near the MAE Lab on West Campus and another at the intersection of Main Campus Drive and Trailwood Drive. The study should assess the pros and cons of each site, including how well their activities would integrate with the surrounding campus neighborhood.
    3. The study is expected to be completed by early 2026.
    4. The Committee approved the study to define the building and site programming needs. They would like to review these programming needs before any site evaluation begins. The selection of the site will be determined if/when the program is designated as a priority.
  2. CALS, Research Facilities Act (RFA) Funding (Info Item 25.13): L. Johnson (5 mins)
    1. H.R. 1 Budget Reduction Reconciliation Act Funding
    2. CALS informed the Subcommittee about an opportunity to apply for $125 million in annual funding through the H.R. 1 Budget Reduction Reconciliation Act. This funding is available to all land-grant institutions and requires a 50% cost-sharing match. The maximum federal award for a single project is $31.25 million (25% of the total available funding).
    3. The Committee noted that meeting the 50% cost-sharing requirement may be a challenge but could be achievable by leveraging other state or private funding sources.
    4. The Office of Research and Innovation (ORI) will lead this effort. They will coordinate with other colleges in addition to CALS to create a list of proposed projects.
    5. The Committee asked to review the final list of proposed projects to ensure they align with campus facility needs.
  3. Advanced Nuclear Research Test Reactor Study (Info Item 24.14): D. Morton (10 mins.)
    1. i. A short report on the Advanced Research and Test Reactor has been submitted to the General Assembly, requesting $13 million for advanced planning. Since its submission, several potential partners have expressed interest in the project.
    2. The feasibility study for a real-scale molten salt test loop began this summer, and both internal and external advisory boards have been established and are now meeting. The study is exploring how to couple the advanced reactor with a molten salt loop, which would allow heat from the reactor to warm the salt, effectively creating an energy storage system.
    3. An additional informal study is needed to evaluate potential sites on either side of Main Campus Drive at Trailwood Drive. This study will focus on site utilities and other considerations, including wetland restrictions that could be addressed through a land swap.
    4. Although several sites across the state were initially considered, this area was ultimately determined to be the best location. It’s envisioned to have a “research campus” standard, which will differ in character from, and cost less to build on than, the rest of the campus.
    5. The Committee approved proceeding with the site evaluation study.
  4. Poole College of Management New Business School, Program and Cost Estimate Update, Project #202213035: S. Jones-Humienny (15 mins.)
    1. The team has developed two building program scenarios for leadership review and pricing. These scenarios, based on previously ranked site options, will inform the project’s strategic direction.
      1. Full Program: This scenario represents the optimal mix of space types and quantities needed to establish a premier Management College. In this model, the program requirements would drive the project budget.
      2. Reduced Program: This scenario aligns with the current Cost of Work (COW) budget of $140 million by reducing the types, sizes, or quantities of spaces. In this model, the budget dictates the program’s scope.
    2. Key factors in both scenarios are the projected 3% growth in Poole’s student enrollment and benchmarking with other peer and aspirational institutions, with a primary goal of increasing service courses offered to other colleges.
    3. The current program baseline across the three existing buildings totals approximately 159,000 gross square feet (GSF) and 74,000 assignable square feet (ASF), which is a net-to-gross efficiency of 47:53.
      1. This baseline does not include space for the Agricultural and Resource Economics (ARE) program.
      2. The current space allocation is highly inefficient, with:
      a. 48% dedicated to work/office space.
      b. 32% for instructional space.
      c. 15% for collaboration.
      d. 5% for student services.
    4. Both the Full and Reduced scenarios incorporate the new Office Space Standards approved by the Campus Development Committee in July. This significantly improves efficiency by reducing the percentage of work/office space to 30% in both scenarios.
      1. Full Program: At approximately 5,000 GSF larger than the current program, this scenario assumes a more efficient 60:40 net-to-gross ratio, which is more achievable in new construction. Instructional space increases to 37%, and collaboration space increases to 28%, while student services remain at 5%. The ARE program is not included, as the most likely plan is for them to stay in Nelson Hall.
      2. Reduced Program: This scenario also leaves the Economics program, which has synergies with ARE, in Nelson Hall. Instructional space increases to 36%, with a reduced number of classrooms due to the availability of adjacent classrooms in Nelson Hall. Collaboration space increases to 28%, and student services slightly increase to 6%.
    5. Right sizing the office space in both scenarios is a critical opportunity to reallocate space for instructional and collaborative areas, creating a more welcoming and functional hub for the college. The proximity to Governors’ Scott Courtyard will also provide additional informal gathering space outside not captured in the square footage numbers.
    6. The next steps are to:
      1. Price both the Full and Reduced Program scenarios.
      2. Develop high-level costs and timelines for swing space with a long-range, permanent relocation plan for the Horticulture Department.
      3. Provide an update at a forthcoming meeting to present the findings and guide the decision on which strategic direction to pursue.
      4. Meet with the Horticulture Department.
      5. Present the site selection to the Campus Design Review Panel (CDRP) in September and the Board of Trustees Buildings and Properties Committee (BOT BPC) in November.
    7. The best long-term strategy for achieving the goals of the Physical Master Plan was discussed, specifically by providing improved facilities for both the Horticulture Department and the Poole College of Management.
      1. The space vacated in Nelson Hall will most likely be backfilled by plant science units currently located in Kilgore, Gardner, and Bostian Halls, all of which are slated for demolition due to their poor condition.
      2. Implementation of the Committee’s prior decision to move the Department of Entomology and Plant Pathology (DEPP) from Gardner Hall to the Varsity Research Building also needs to be completed.
      3. The request for Poole going forward should include the new building and the enabling project/s. The latter may need to be separated due to timing and sequencing. These will be included in the next two Biennial Six Year Capital Plan submissions.
    8. The Committee directed the project team to obtain approvals from the CDRP and BOT BPC before sharing any plans with prospective donors.
  5. Toxicology Chilled Water Connection (Info Item 25.10): C. Smith (5 mins.)
    1. The total project cost is $6.75M, leaving a funding gap of over $4.18M. The funding shortfall is a result of removing $2.69M in residual Carry Forward/F&A monies left after completion of the Chancellor’s Faculty Excellence Program (CFEP) projects.
    2. The College of Sciences still considers this its number one priority. The chillers in the research building are failing, which puts critical research — including that of the CFEP programs — at risk. While Facilities Operations is performing temporary fixes, replacing the end-of-life equipment is critical.
    3. The project design has been completed, and the work could begin within six months.
    4. The Committee asked if this project could be added to the list of proposals for the Research Facilities Act.

Project Execution Subcommittee Information Items:

Project Status Updates:
1. Cates West Development Update, Project #202420022: C. Smith/L. Johnson (10 mins.)
  1. The project involves a phased, 30-acre development that includes a new 1,500-seat dining hall and six new housing buildings with approximately 3,100 beds. The project will be sequenced to ensure no beds are lost during construction. Four existing buildings—Bragaw, Lee, and Sullivan Residence Halls, and Fountain Dining Hall—will be demolished due to their inferior quality and inability to meet modern needs.
  2. The new residence halls will feature vibrant ground-floor programming, including learning villages, great halls for gatherings, housing services, makerspaces, and mail/package delivery/pickup points.
  3. To improve pedestrian safety, vehicular traffic will be rerouted, and a portion of Dan Allen Drive will be closed to general traffic while still allowing for buses and emergency vehicles.
  4. The total estimated cost for the project is $870 million over two phases.
  5. Project timeline and approvals:
    1. October 2025: The project will be submitted to the Campus Design Review Panel for site approval.
    2. November 2025: The Board of Trustees (BOT) will be asked to approve additional advanced planning funding.
    3. April 2026: Board of Governors (BOG) will be asked to approve Advanced Planning funding.
    4. February 2026: A special Self-liquidating project preview will be given to the BOG.
    5. April 2026: The BOG will be asked to approve Self-liquidating projects.
    6. June 2026: Legislative approval will be requested.
  6. The Committee inquired about a cost-benefit analysis for renovating the existing buildings versus new construction. The assessment concluded that renovating would be prohibitively expensive and difficult, leading to a loss of beds and revenue. This approach would not meet the university’s enrollment growth goals or ensure long-term operational viability.
2. CVM Large Animal Hospital, Project #202120007: C. Smith (10 mins.)
  1. The new construction for the project is now underway, with the D3 lab module renovation scheduled to begin next month.
  2. The project team has pre-purchased equipment for the Central Utility Plant, with $8 million spent to date.
  3. The $70 million in State Capital and Infrastructure Fund (SCIF) legislative funding needed for this project was not included in the recent “Mini Budget Bill” as anticipated. Although $7 million in SCIF Flex funding was approved by the Office of State Budget and Management (OSBM), a new rule requires that the first $3 million be spent before the remaining $4 million is received. Since the latter amount was not allocated in the “Mini Budget Bill,” the College of Veterinary Medicine (CVM) is liquidating its $50 million endowment sooner than planned.

Other Business: N/A

Next Meeting:
September 22, 2025, from 1:30 pm to 3:00 pm

Meeting Adjourned:
2:50 pm