KBOR Building Studies

In August 2019, the Kansas Board of Regents determined that a fresh perspective was necessary to focus increased attention toward addressing the chronic problem and exponential growth of deferred maintenance at the state universities. Maintaining the state universities’ physical assets is one of the governing functions the Board is authorized to control by the constitution and statute. To learn more, view the 2023 State University Facilities Report.

KBOR has initiated two university building studies to assess current building conditions and evaluate space utilization. The studies are in response to the board's current-year goal to develop a strategy to address deferred maintenance at state universities. Studies are currently underway at each state university and are expected to be completed by the end of October 2020.

The studies will evaluate mission-critical buildings, which are board-approved buildings built prior to fiscal year 2008 that support the university's instruction, research and service mission. This includes mission-critical facilities on the Vet Med and Polytechnic Campus. Buildings supported by auxiliaries and local agencies, such as Housing and Dining Services and K-State Athletics, and research and extension buildings located outside of Riley County, will not be included.

While the studies are in progress, new capital improvement projects that add square footage to the university will not be submitted to the board for approval. In addition, any vacated campus space will not be reallocated until the space utilization study is completed. State University Data Book.

Building Condition Study

Accruent LLC, formerly VFA, will conduct detailed condition assessments of university mission-critical buildings, establish databases and provide software and training to campus personnel. Data collected will be updated annually to allow universities to provide the board with consistent reporting of deferred maintenance and will help the university prioritize projects to update building infrastructure and systems.

Space Utilization Study

Gould Evans, in association with Rickes Associates, will conduct a space utilization study of offices, classrooms and specialized instructional spaces, such as labs and research spaces. Consultants will review space inventory, enrollment, personnel and course data provided by the university. The data will help the university better understand the distribution and assignment of space across campus units and will be used to identify existing space gaps and optimize projected needs by space type.