40.03 – New and Major Renovation Building Policy

Owner:

• Position: Senior AVP Finance & Planning, Division of Finance & Administration
• Email: vpfinance@uidaho.edu

Last updated: Sept. 22, 2025

A. Purpose. The responsible use of all forms of energy and the good health of the University of Idaho and local communities are high priorities to the University of Idaho, which is committed to environmental, economic, and social sustainability. This policy furthers these priorities by developing sustainable building standards for new buildings and major renovation projects. Sustainable building standards will yield cost savings through reduced operating costs; help to provide a healthy and productive environment for students, faculty, staff, and visitors; and contribute to the University’s goals of protecting, conserving, and enhancing the region’s and State’s environmental resources. For further information, contact Architectural and Engineering Services at 885-6246.

B. Scope. This policy applies to all new buildings and major renovations of existing buildings and facilities under the purview of the Regents, University of Idaho. This includes buildings and facilities located on the main campus of the university in Moscow, Idaho, as well as at all centers and locations statewide. This policy applies to all University divisions, departments, offices, and their contractors responsible for financing, planning, designing, developing, constructing, renovating, and managing University-owned facilities and buildings, regardless of location. Where other state agencies (e.g., Division of Public Works or Idaho State Building Authority) have responsibility for delivering the construction or renovation project, the University will strive to work with the agency in developing and delivering a project meeting the standards outlined above.

C. Definitions

C-1. LEED: Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design developed by the U.S. Green Building Council. The LEED Green Building Rating System is the national benchmark for high performance green buildings. Current rating systems and resources can be found at U.S. Green Building Council.

D. Policy

D-1. General. It is the policy of the University to finance, plan, design, construct, manage, renovate, and maintain its facilities in a sustainable fashion. While construction of sustainable buildings potentially incurs additional initial costs – both in terms of design fees and construction costs - sustainable buildings have reduced operating costs. The University recognizes that investments in sustainable building usually have short payback periods and yield substantial savings over the life cycle of the completed facility.

D-2. Sustainable Building Standard. All new construction and major renovations (in excess of 50% of state replacement value) shall be certified as meeting or exceeding a LEED Silver rating or equivalent according to the latest edition of the US Green Building Council’s LEED rating system and accompanying Reference Guide. Design and project management teams are encouraged to meet higher LEED rating levels such as Gold or Platinum. Use of an alternative green building standard is allowed if a clear rationale is provided as to why the alternative standard should be considered equivalent or superior to LEED Silver or Gold. Emphasis will be placed on achieving LEED points related to optimizing energy performance, advanced commissioning, and measurement and verification while advancing the mission of the building, the campus, and the University.

D-3. Exemptions. Buildings for which the primary use is agricultural or machinery storage, animal shelters, and similar functional and pragmatic uses are exempt from this policy until a LEED rating system is designed suitable to these types of structures.

E. Contact Information

• Position: SAVP Finance & Planning, Division of Finance & Administration
• Email: vpfinance@uidaho.edu

F. Related Policies

F-1. All new buildings and major renovations of existing buildings and facilities projects shall comply with the requirements of Board of Regents Policy V.K. – Construction Projects.

F-2. University of Idaho policies related to Capital Planning and Design include: