Capital Forecast

Oregon State University’s Capital Forecast is a 10-year rolling plan that supports OSU’s vision, mission, and strategic plan. It is updated annually, is dynamic, reflects institutional priorities, and responds to opportunities. It includes campus buildings, landscapes and other infrastructure that supports university needs. The 10-year Capital Forecast includes minor (projects between $100.0 thousand - $10.0 million) and major (projects greater than $10.0 million) capital investments. The currently adopted Ten-Year Capital Forecast is posted by the OSU Board of Trustees.

   Learn about the Capital Forecast Process (PDF)

Development & Approval Process

Capital Planning and Development staff and members of the Infrastructure Working Group (IWG) create a Capital Forecast draft. The Capital Plan Review Group (CPRG), the Provost’s Senior Leadership Team, the Provost’s Council of Deans and Division of Finance and Administration staff refine the Forecast and present it to the Vice President of Finance and Administration, the Provost and the Executive Vice President for review. The Capital Forecast is then submitted to the President for approval.  

The Forecast is integrated into OSU’s 10-year Business Forecast that is reviewed and accepted by the Board of Trustees.

Does every project on the Capital Forecast receive funding?  

No. The Forecast provides a current view of capital projects that meet the aforementioned criteria; however, inclusion does not constitute authorization to proceed with any phase of the proposed capital investment. 

The decision to proceed with a major capital project (exceeds $10 million) must be recommended by the Provost, Executive Vice President and the Vice President for Finance and Administration to the President for approval and be accepted by the Board of Trustees. 

Can a project be added to the Forecast after the Board finalizes it?  

Yes. Capital investments of opportunity could arise between Board of Trustee approvals of the Forecast. Such capital construction opportunities may be considered as an addition/substitution if funds are secured for the total capital project cost and associated incremental operating costs. The President approves these opportunities. If the cost of these projects exceeds $10 million then Board of Trustee approval is required. 

Guiding principles for evaluating potential capital projects 

Evaluation of each project is based on four primary criteria:  

  1. Advancing OSU’s strategic plan - the proposed project must make a critical contribution to the advancement of OSU’s strategic plan, Prosperity Widely Shared, and support the proposing unit’s strategic direction.  

Prosperity Widely Shared lays out three major goals: to be a university focused on big discoveries that drive big solutions, to graduate every student who enrolls and to fuel a thriving world in every dimension. To meet these objectives, OSU has identified five targeted actions:  

  • Increase annual research expenditures to $600 million.  
  • Increase the six-year graduation rate to 80%.  
  • Equalize six-year graduation rates. Current rates vary widely across students’ gender, ethnic group and financial need. 
  • Increase online-only enrollment to 30,000 - more than double the current enrollment in Ecampus. 
  • Increase enrollment at OSU-Cascades to 2,200.  

The proposed project should address the contribution it will make towards achieving the university’s strategic goals and targets. 

  1. Minimizing the impact on environmental & financial resources: the proposed capital project will be evaluated for cost effectiveness and impact on the environment. 

  • Projects should increase space efficiency, use less energy and require fewer resources to maintain and renew. 
  • New buildings should only be considered when absolutely required. 
  • Projects that contribute to reducing energy usage and promote renewable energy and carbon reduction should be emphasized. 

  1. Cultivating a safe, equitable, accessible and welcoming environment: all proposed projects should communicate OSU’s commitment to our students, staff, visitors and community that OSU is a safe, accessible and welcoming place for all. 

  • Project proposals should demonstrate how they will support and contribute to equitable outcomes for students and employees of color, those with disabilities, first generation students and students with high financial need. 
  • Projects should reduce physical and perceived barriers and advance safety and well-being. 
  • Projects should improve access for all modes of transportation with an emphasis towards sustainability, accessibility and equity. 
  • Projects should address building and infrastructure renewal, reliability and preservation as well as seismic and fire-life safety. 

  1. Leveraging Funding: if a proposed project advances one or more of the other principles, projects that have the ability to attract private gifts, grants, state bond and other outside funding should be prioritized.  

What other factors are taken into account when prioritizing capital projects?