Board of Regents Policy Manual

Official Policies of the University System of Georgia

9.5 Facilities and Campus Grounds Development

9.5.1 Sustainable Design and Life Cycle Costing

University System of Georgia (USG) buildings and grounds shall be planned and developed to provide long-term life cycle benefits. Each institution’s individual architectural character and landscape shall be maintained in a coordinated and consistent manner. Each institution shall employ design and construction concepts to allow for adaptive reuse, appropriate infrastructure, and flexibility to accommodate evolving technology.

State-funded educational buildings shall be designed and constructed to provide quality service for 50 or more years, ultimately serving the citizens of Georgia by achieving long-term life cycle benefits, a positive cost-to-benefit return on the initial investment.


9.5.2 Building Design Standards

Each USG institution shall develop standards that establish basic aesthetic expectations for construction, which are founded on and complementary to the USG’s preplanning guidelines. Institution standards shall establish the campus’s architectural theme and provide specificity sufficient to guide future construction activities to achieve harmony with the existing facilities while providing modern teaching and learning spaces. These standards shall ensure that the exterior architectural character of each building conveys the institution character in a cohesive, attractive, and timeless manner. Each institution shall develop an “architectural palette” (list of materials) to guide the selection of exterior materials for construction projects.


9.5.3 Modular and Temporary Buildings

The rental, lease, or purchase of modular or other temporary buildings and trailers is prohibited with the exception of trailers supporting an active construction project. Any other exception must be submitted to the USG chief facilities officer for review and approval in advance of the installation.


9.5.4 Campus Grounds and Landscape Standards

Each USG institution shall develop standards that establish basic expectations for landscaping and grounds, which are founded on and complementary to the USG’s preplanning guidelines, establish the institution’s landscape plan, and provide specificity sufficient to guide the planning and development of outdoor common space, including hardscape and signage, to achieve a cohesive and sustainable campus. These standards shall ensure that the campus grounds convey an attractive and inviting institution character. Each institution shall establish material and plant lists to guide the development of public green spaces, and plantings shall be predominantly indigenous, maintainable, and diverse.

Each institution shall have installed on its campus, and on each existing off-campus facility an appropriate number of properly designed and constructed, architecturally proper, and structurally sound exterior signs containing the name of the institution and identification of the institution as a part of the USG. Such signs shall be kept in good repair. Each exterior sign shall be able to be readily seen and quickly read from nearby public streets or highways.

Each institution shall fly the flag of the United States and the flag of Georgia from a building or flag pole on the campus of the institution.


9.5.5 Plaques

A plaque of bronze cast metal or other appropriate material will be installed in all major construction projects including new buildings, additions, and renovations noting the year completed, the Governor and members of the Board of Regents at the time of completion, other members of the Board of Regents serving since the project was first approved, the architect, and the contractor.

If deemed appropriate by the President of the institution, major contributors may be recognized by inclusion on the plaque or a separate plaque.


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