Governing Procedures, Capital Project Needs Assessment Process and Summer Construction Planning Among the Agenda Items during Second CFAB Meeting

The members of the Campus Facilities Advisory Board (CFAB) assembled on Wednesday, March 22, at the Office of Campus Planning, Design and Construction for the board’s second meeting since it was announced on Jan. 26. The CFAB, co-chaired by Michele G. Wheatly, vice chancellor and provost, and Pete Sala, vice president and chief facilities officer, is charged with assessing all academic and non-academic investments and ensuring alignment between the Academic Strategic Plan and the Campus Framework.

The board co-chairs, along with Cathryn Newton, special advisor to the Chancellor and the Provost and lead faculty advisor to the board, facilitated an hourlong discussion, during which the board focused on a number of important items. Chief among them was reviewing, discussing and voting on proposed governing procedures. The governing procedures, which were approved unanimously, will help guide the board’s decision-making and voting processes; dictate the frequency and length of meetings; and provide parameters for determining how to appoint subcommittees, should they be deemed necessary.

“As this board is still very much in its early stages, it is critical that we put governing policies, procedures and processes into place that all members agree upon and support,” says Sala. “I was pleased by the thoughtful dialogue around how this board will govern itself and appreciate the candor and collegiality this board has already demonstrated.”

Yesterday’s agenda also included a presentation by Joe Alfieri, director of campus planning, about the capital project needs assessment process and an overview of the summer construction project recommendations. Among those recommendations are significant renovations to a number of campus facilities with considerable deferred maintenance; utility maintenance and upgrades in academic buildings, residence halls and under roadways; and substantial accessibility improvements, particularly related to vertical transportation in several buildings, including Archbold/Flanagan Gymnasium and Maxwell. The recommended summer construction projects remain under consideration at this time. A vote on the recommendations is likely forthcoming.

To learn more about the Campus Framework, visit CampusFramework.syr.edu. To read the Academic Strategic Plan, visit fastforward.syr.edu/strategic-plan/.