MPC Recommendations Related to Formation of a Subcommittee for the North Campus Area
To: Chancellor Marshall Lind From: John D. Craven, Chair UAF Master Planning Committee Subject: MPC Recommendations Related to Formation of a Subcommittee for the North Campus Area
This recommendation seeks to address the recurring issue of responsibility for the North Campus area, one part of which is the trails system. As used herein, North Campus denotes those lands north of North Tanana Drive and the road's incomplete extension to the IARC parking lot, and then south to the Experiment Station.
Recommendations
- It is recommended that the chancellor create a North Campus Subcommittee whose purpose
is to represent all valid UAF stakeholders and identify the existing valid academic,
research, service, and recreational functions of those lands for all members of the
UAF community; students, staff, faculty. This committee will be a subcommittee of
the Master Planning Committee, with a member of the MPC serving on the North Campus
Subcommittee. The Master Planning Committee must approve all actions of its subcommittee.
- It is recommended that the subcommittee be manageable in size, about eight members.
This may be difficult as it is further recommended that the initial committee represent
the following general groups, where specific examples are provided to assist in interpretation:
biological sciences (terrestrial ecology, deer yards, and animal research), forestry
sciences (arboretum), agriculture (experimental farm), physical sciences (seismology
and infrasound), teaching laboratories (biology, geology, NRM), athletics (ski team),
and recreation (summer and winter trails). A community representative should be included
as well as an ex-officio member to represent Facilities Services. Other valid stakeholders
may well exist and should be included. The members of this committee must avoid conflicts
of self-interest. It is recommended that the chancellor appoint the chair in a manner
consistent with his needs and expectations.
- It is recommended that the MPC North Campus Subcommittee develop use and management
plans consistent with the UAF Campus Master Plan's established principles for this
area. Their plans should take into account such relevant documents as the UAF Skarland
Trail System Management Plan (May 2000), the Smith Lake Conservation Area Management
Plan (May 1993), work of the Arboretum Committee, and other current and historical
documents related to the North Campus.
- It is recommended that Facilities Services be assigned formal responsibility for maintaining
the existing lands consistent with the UAF Campus Master Plan, and that Facilities
Services may at its discretion through approved procedures transfer day-to-day responsibility
to other UAF departments or organizations. As examples: operation of and harvesting
on the several fields; routine maintenance of summer and winter trails; or assignment
of research plots within areas previously identified for research by a specific entity,
such as biology, that uses an oversight committee.
- It is recommended that development within the North Campus that is shown to be fully
consistent with the UAF Campus Master Plan can proceed upon concurrence of Facilities
Services. Information copies of correspondence are to be forwarded to the Master Planning
Committee but no action is required when work is consistent with the UAF Campus Master
Plan.
- It is recommended that the mechanism through which valid users gain access for new
research projects, for example or other valid purposes must be established by the
MPC North Campus Subcommittee, as must the definition of what constitutes a valid
use.
- It is recommended that the appropriate administrative officer draft policies regarding legal issues related to maintenance and alteration activities on these lands. Unauthorized activities would be subject to university legal action. The MPC North Campus Subcommittee would meet with appropriate administrative officers to understand existing UAF legal obligations for activities within the North Campus, some research activities are examples, and to contribute during the development of future obligations.