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Board Approval Requirements

Many construction, repair or renovation projects, and most contracts with engineers and architects, require some level of approval by the Board of Trustees. Click here to view a decision tree representing the basic requirements.  If the campus, unit or division (campus) has any doubt whether Board approval is required, the General Counsel’s Office should be contacted for further guidance.

1. The following require approval of the Board of Trustees:

    • Contracting with an architect or engineer. Board Policy 730.1, 740.1, UASP 730.1.
      • But, “on-call” architects or engineers may be retained for work within the scope of the on-call contract without further Board approval. Note, however, that the initial on-call contracts must be approved by the Board. Board Policy 740.2.
      • Use of “on-call” architects or engineers is limited to deferred maintenance, minor renovation work or emergency damage recovery where the estimated construction cost of the project will not exceed $1,000,000 and feasibility studies, programming studies, preliminary plans, budget estimates and technical assistance.
    • Any project requiring an architect or engineer must be approved by the Board unless either the project qualifies for use of an on-call architect or engineer or the cost of the architectural or engineering services is $20,000 or less. Board Policies 730.1 and 740.2.
    • Any project that requires substantive changes to the exterior façade of a building must be approved by the Board.   Board Policy 730.1.
    • Guaranteed Energy Cost Savings Act projects. Board Policy 730.3
    • Any other construction, renovation or remodeling contract that the Chancellor or campus chief executive determines, after consulting with the President, should be submitted to the Board. Board Policy 730.1.

2. The following do not require Board approval:

    • Deferred maintenance, minor renovation or emergency damage recovery projects with an estimated construction cost of $1,000,000 or less, where the project utilizes architects or engineers from the approved on-call list. Board Policy 740.2.
    • Work performed by job order contractors that is within the scope of the job order contract and within the job order contracting limit.
    • Contracts with architects or engineers for less that the small procurement limit, which is currently $20,000.