Capital Planning Process

The University’s annual capital planning process ensures that major capital projects – defined as new construction, renovation, or infrastructure projects with budgets of $5 million or more – align with institutional priorities. Executive leadership and the UVA Board of Visitors (BOV) are engaged at various points throughout the process.

The University updates its Capital Plan annually to add new projects, remove projects that are no longer a priority, and prioritize projects using established criteria including, but not limited to, the following considerations:

• Aligns with institutional priorities/strategy and supports the University’s long-term mission
• Responds to a legal, compliance, or regulatory mandate
• Addresses a life safety risk
• Addresses more than one school, unit, or function
• Provides value and benefit and minimizes potential risk to the University and the community
• Improves current conditions
• Presents a viable funding plan for both construction and ongoing expenses
• Is flexible to adapt to changing needs and/or is able to be repurposed for other University needs
• Has considered a plan for engaging and communicating with stakeholders

UVA schools and units wishing to request the addition of a project to the Capital Plan must complete a Major Capital Project Proposal and submit it through their respective executive leadership. Projects approved internally by executive leadership are then presented to the BOV Buildings and Grounds Committee, which determines whether a project should be added to the Capital Plan. The BOV Finance Committee evaluates the viability of the financing plan for both construction and operating/maintenance costs.

Once a major capital project is approved for the Capital Plan, the Buildings and Grounds Committee reviews and approves the concept, site, and design guidelines and the schematic design for each project, as illustrated below:

Once the architect and/or engineer have been selected and the project design has been completed and approved, the construction phase begins. During the construction process, the project’s working group – made up of representatives from Facilities Management, the Office of the Architect for the University, and the school/unit – meets regularly to monitor progress and make decisions as necessary with respect to the project’s development, scope, and budget.

Following the construction phase, once the capital project passes inspection by the Office of the University Building Official, a certificate of occupancy is issued.

The Board of Visitors-approved Major Capital Plan for the Academic Division, Health System, and UVA’s College at Wise includes projects costing $5 million or more that are already under construction and in planning, as well as projects expected to be initiated within the next six years.

Requests for new minor capital projects – those with budgets between $3 million and $5 million – are submitted in coordination with annual operating budget submissions.