POLICY ON APPROVAL OF DESIGN, LONG RANGE DEVELOPMENT PLANS, AND THE ADMINISTRATION OF THE CALIFORNIA ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY ACT

Approved July 16, 1993; Amended and Renamed January 16, 2003

(1) The Regents designates the following categories of projects as requiring design approval by the Committee on Grounds and Buildings:

a. Building projects with a total project cost in excess of $10,000,000, except when such projects consist of the following:

i. alterations or remodeling where the exterior of the building is not materially changed;
ii. buildings or facilities located on agricultural, engineering, or other field stations; or
iii. agriculture-related buildings or facilities located in areas of a campus devoted to agricultural functions.

b. Capital improvement projects of any construction cost when, in the judgment of the President, a project merits review and approval by The Regents because of budget matters, fundraising activities, environmental impacts, community concerns, or other reasons.

(2) The approval of building projects other than those subject to approval by the Committee on Grounds and Buildings as set forth above is governed by applicable Bylaws, Standing Orders, and delegations.

(3) Consistent with applicable Bylaws and Standing Orders, the President shall determine the responsibility for unique project approvals and other actions significantly affecting land use that, given their nature, do not involve a design approval.

(4) All building project approvals shall be generally in accordance with an applicable Long Range Development Plan. Adoption by The Regents is required for new and substantially updated LRDPs. All LRDP amendments or actions having the practical effect of an LRDP amendment shall be approved at the following level:

a. The Committee on Grounds and Buildings shall consider for approval all LRDP amendments except those delegated in b. below;

b. The President is authorized to approve minor LRDP amendments, provided that the amendment preserves the fundamental planning principles of the LRDP and is limited to:

i. siting a building project of $10,000,000 or less;

ii shifting less than 30,000 gross square feet of allocated building space; and/or

iii. changing land-use boundaries and designations for 4 acres or less of land.

(5) The President has the responsibility for the administration of the University's compliance with the California Environmental Quality Act. As provided by CEQA, the certification or adoption of environmental documents is undertaken at the level of the associated project approval. The modification of environmental documents, including mitigation measures, may occur at the same level as the original certification or adoption, provided that the President is authorized to modify an environmental document certified or adopted by The Regents so long as the modification does not result in new or increased significant impacts.

(6) Notwithstanding the foregoing, the approval of the Committee on Grounds and Buildings, or in appropriate circumstances The Regents, may be required for any project or other action addressed by this policy when, in the judgment of the President, an action merits review and approval by The Regents because of budget matters, fundraising activities, environmental impacts, community concerns, or other reasons.