Capital and Space Planning
Start-A-Project
To start any facility or infrastructure-related improvement project, the Primary Project Contact or Principal Officer for the Division must initiate a Start-A-Project Request.
Under the leadership of the Associate Vice Chancellor for Physical Planning, Development and Operations (PPDO), Capital and Space Planning (CaSP) plans capital projects and campus spaces in support of students, faculty, staff, and academic and administrative units.
Capital Planning includes long-term physical assets such as land, buildings, and major infrastructure. CaSP works with campus stakeholders from the earliest project concepts through programming and financial feasibility, and prepares the annual Consolidated Capital Report, which includes the six-year Capital Financial Plan (CFP) for Regents’ acceptance.
Space Planning coordinates with campus administration and academic units to optimize the use of UCSC facilities in support of the university’s teaching, research, and public service mission. Space Planning also makes recommendations to campus leadership to ensure space use aligns with institutional priorities and strategic goals.
Capital and Space Planning and Projects
Capital Planning process
Capital planning is an iterative process that supports campus growth and renewal through investments in buildings, infrastructure, and land. At UCSC, the process considers proposals for new projects alongside the condition and performance of existing facilities and systems. Project priorities are evaluated using a range of parameters, including current and projected enrollment, space utilization, student contact hours, and employment levels. These factors are reviewed in the context of the campus mission, long-range development plan, budget forecasts, and stakeholder input. Capital planning outcomes are reflected in the Consolidated Capital Report published each year.
Capital Financial Plan
The Capital Financial Plan (CFP) is updated annually and represents an ongoing, collaborative planning effort at both the campus and UC-wide levels. The CFP presents a proposed six-year budget and schedule for all capital projects exceeding $10,000,000.
As needed, Capital Planning staff prepare analyses of established capital priorities and assessments of campus space needs. These materials, along with new project proposals from academic deans, the University Librarian, the Vice Chancellor for the Division of Finance, Operations, and Administration (FOA), and others, are reviewed by the Chancellor, Campus Provost and Executive Vice Chancellor, and other campus leadership.
The CFP is submitted to the UC Office of the President as part of the Consolidated Capital Report where revisions may be negotiated as necessary. The plan is subsequently forwarded to the Regents and is formally accepted at their November meeting each year.
Capital projects
A capital project includes new construction, expansion, renovation, or replacement of existing facilities. Once a project cost exceeds $35,000 total project cost, approval is required from the Chancellor, VC FOA, or UC Regents, depending on scope and total project budget. Capital and Space Planning supports project sponsors throughout this approval process. To request a new capital project refer to the Start-A-Project process.
Capital Projects Flowchart
