Feb 02, 2005 - University of Victoria

UNIVERSITY OF VICTORIA
CAMPUS PLANNING COMMITTEE
Wednesday, February 2, 2005
1:00 p.m.
Senate and Board Chambers, University Centre A180
Present:
Regrets:
By Invitation:
Prof. Jamie Cassels (Co-Chair), Ms. Tracy Corbett, Mr. Tony Eder, Mr. Tom Gore, Mr.
Erik Haensel, Dr. Eric Higgs, Dr. Giles Hogya, Mr. Chris Hurl, Dr. Larry McCann, Dr.
Tom Pedersen, Mr. Jerry Robson, Ms. Rhonda Rose, Dr. Martin Taylor, Ms. Faye
Wightman, Ms. Julia Eastman (Secretary).
Mr. Jack Falk (Co-Chair), Ms. Mary-Ethel Audley, Ms. Kim Hart-Wensley, Dr.
Catherine Mateer.
Ms. Linda Allen, Prof. Anita Molzahn, Mr. Martin Segger, Ms. Deb Sexsmith, Ms.
Kristi Simpson, Ms. Sarah Webb.
1. APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA
Prof. Cassels noted that Mr. Falk, the Co-Chair, was away and had sent his regrets so Prof. Cassels
would chair the meeting.
Prof. Cassels introduced Ms. Tracy Corbett, the university’s new Director of Campus Planning and
Sustainability, to her first meeting of the Campus Planning Committee.
Mr. Hurl suggested that ‘Graduate Student Housing’ be added to the agenda under ‘Other Business’,
as he had proposed to the Secretary’s predecessor prior to the last scheduled meeting. The agenda,
thus adjusted, was approved upon motion.
MOTION (T. Gore, T. Pedersen)
That the agenda be approved as adjusted.
CARRIED.
2. MINUTES – October 6, 2004
The minutes of the October 6, 2004 meeting were approved as circulated.
3. BUSINESS ARISING FROM THE MINUTES
a. Collaborative Consultation Report – Tracy Corbett, Director, Campus Planning &
Sustainability
Ms. Corbett gave a brief Powerpoint presentation on some potential consultation principles and
approaches for the university. In response to a question, she indicated that the feedback on the
proposed consultation principles would lead to a proposal for the adoption by the university of
a consultation process. In response to a question, Ms. Corbett explained that the type of postproject
evaluation to take place at the end of each planning process would depend on the scope
of the undertaking, but would in any case result in a report to this committee. After brief
further discussions, the Chair noted that it appeared that CPC members are comfortable with
what Ms. Corbett had proposed. She was asked to come back to the committee with a proposal
incorporating these principles and approaches for review at the next meeting.

Mr. Segger noted that some community groups had requested that they receive email notices of
upcoming meetings and of the availability of minutes. Ms. Eastman indicated that that would
be possible and requested that Mr. Segger provide their email addresses to her office.
4. REMARKS FROM THE CHAIR – Nil.
5. REPRESENTATIONS FROM THE COMMUNITY – NIL
6. REGULAR BUSINESS
a. Presentation on First People’s House – Prof. Anita Molzahn, Chair, Project Planning
Committee, First People’s House
Prof. Anita Molzahn, Chair of the Project Planning Committee of the First People’s House,
gave a presentation on planning to date for the First People’s House. She noted that the
committee’s report on the consultation process had very recently gone to the VP Finance and
Operations’ office. She indicated that consultation with the aboriginal community would
continue.
In response to a question, she said that the timeline for construction of the building would
depend on the fundraising process. Ms. Wightman noted that her office was advertising for a
fundraiser for this project. She anticipated it would probably take approximately two years to
raise the required funds. Prof. Cassels spoke to the academic activities related to the planned
building. He noted that, as a result of activities undertaken in pursuit of the commitments
articulated in its strategic plan, the university now has approximately 350 aboriginal students
and 12 to 14 aboriginal faculty members and researchers, as well as new programmes in almost
every faculty. With respect to support services, the university has an aboriginal counselor and
four other support personnel located in particular faculties for aboriginal students, as well as
having an aboriginal liaison office. It will be tremendous for these people to have a centre
such as the First People’s House, even though aboriginal programmes will probably continue
to be located across campus, as is desirable given that they are to be truly campus wide.
Ms. Wightman anticipated that corporations may wish to donate to this campaign and to be
recognized by the university. She suggested that the university will need to consider how it
will recognize donors to the building.
Prof. Molzahn noted that the Project Planning Committee had identified a large number of
operational and other issues that will need to be addressed.
Mr. Haensel asked who decides about naming issues. Prof. Cassels indicated that, while
discussion can of course take place in this committee, it is the Board of Governors that makes
such decisions.
The Chair thanked Prof. Molzahn for her contribution to the project. She was applauded.
b. Status Report on Capital Projects – Ms. Kristi Simpson
Ms. Simpson provided a brief update on five capital projects – the Science building, the
Learning and Information Commons, the Classroom/Faculty Building, the Support Services
Building, and the First People’s House. Potential sites for three of the five projects have been
identified. She noted that the FDSS is seeking input on two potential sites for the
Campus Planning Committee
Open Session
February 2, 2005 2

Classroom/Faculty building. Ms. Corbett noted that an information session on the potential
sites for the Classroom/Faculty building will be held on Tuesday, February 8 th at 12:30 p.m. in
MacLaurin D116.
Ms. Simpson noted that the Classroom/Faculty building would displace parking spaces, which
the university is required to replace – hence, the need for a parkade. The cost of all new
projects to be completed over the next 4 years is estimated to be almost $130 million. Mr.
Haensel asked what the proposed parkade said about the university’s commitment to TDM. In
response to his question, Ms. Corbett indicated that the proposed parkade would do little more
than replace displaced spots and meet municipal requirements and would require continued
strong emphasis on TDM. Mr. Robson noted that financing the parkade would require an
increase in parking rates which would in itself promote other forms of transportation. It was
suggested by a number of CPC members that the university take care to communicate that a
parkade does not represent a dilution of the university’s commitment to TDM.
7. OTHER BUSINESS
Mr. Hurl requested an update on graduate student space and graduate student housing. He said he
had heard that the university had engaged a consultant in this connection. Prof. Cassels said that that
was not the case but that the executive group had had informal discussions about the possibility and
sees additional graduate student housing as desirable but does not feel that the university is able to
take on an additional major project at this time. Ms. Simpson noted that the university is making
provision for space for graduate students in planned academic buildings. Mr. Hurl suggested that,
when the university does move to address the need for graduate student housing, there should be
consultation with graduate students. Prof. Cassels agreed that that would be appropriate and invited
the GSS to consult with the administration on any initiatives it may contemplate in this realm as well.
2004/05 Village Planning Initiative and Quadrant Study
Mr. Haensel observed that the Campus Plan Action Items for 2004/05 included items – the Village
Planning Initiative and the SW Quadrant Study – that had lagged because of the pace of urgent
capital planning and development. He suggested that there be updates on the status of these planning
initiatives at future meetings, coupled with consideration of how the university can ensure that
planning does not take a back seat to construction. Prof. Cassels suggested that the consultation
process Ms. Corbett is developing is a necessary prerequisite for these initiatives. Ms. Corbett
indicated that she shares Mr. Haensel’s concern to ensure that planning initiatives proceed apace.
Mr. Robson observed that Ms. Corbett, having had an opportunity to get her bearings, would now be
poised to advance these initiatives. It was agreed to talk about realistic timelines for these planning
initiatives at the next meeting.
Prof. Cassels noted that Mr. Haensel had raised an issue regarding governance and elections for a
future meeting.
8. ADJOURNMENT
The meeting adjourned at 2:20 p.m.
Campus Planning Committee
Open Session
February 2, 2005 3