Net Zero Space Growth

Purpose

To halt the growth in gross square footage of campus buildings; to support the goal of reducing the campus footprint over time through more efficient space utilization; to fulfill the commitment under the 2010 Illinois Climate Action Plan to enact a “no net increase in space” policy and to reduce energy usage through conservation measures; to meet the pledge in the American College and University Presidents’ Climate Commitment in 2008 to reduce the campus’ greenhouse gas emissions to zero by 2050.

Scope

All renovations, additions, leases, or new building construction projects for all premises and facilities owned, leased, occupied or otherwise controlled by the University on behalf of the Urbana-Champaign campus.

Authority

Office of the Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs and Provost.

Policy

No renovation, addition, lease or new building construction project shall be permitted if such project will result in a net increase in gross square footage of the premises and facilities owned, leased, occupied or otherwise controlled by the university on behalf of the Urbana-Champaign campus.

Processes/Procedures/Guidelines

As of July 1, 2015, when buildings are demolished or leases are vacated, the gross square footage of that space is added to a square footage bank maintained by the Provost’s office. The Provost may retire square footage in the bank to gradually reduce the campus gross square footage, or may allocate square footage from the bank to offset individual projects that would otherwise result in an increase in gross square footage.

Exceptions

The Chancellor’s Capital Review Committee has the authority to grant variances to permit exceptions to this policy in the rare circumstance when the benefit of a project to the campus justifies an exception.

Contact

The Office of the Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs and Provost.