Birnberg expressed concern that the recommendation did not go far enough to ensure that future integration of capital and operating budgets would control the approval of capital projects. Wion cited the recent approval by the Board of Trustees' Budget Committee of Athletics Department capital projects without an explicit mandate to implement UPBC-recommended conditions to their approval. Gross cited the need to refine long-term budget scenarios to examine more realistic operating assumptions. Birnberg also suggested instituting a post-audit of the capital process, especially relative to projects being funded from gift sources. McCarthy clarified that the intent of the recommendation was to address the University's investment decision in a project.
Further examination is needed relative to capital project financial decisions.
Maher asked the Subcommittee to examine the post audit function and financing decision concept. Holland moved that the UPBC approve the Subcommittee recommendation. Detre expressed concern that the discussion lacked a discourse on academic priorities, which requires a different set of assumptions than those used when discussing financial considerations. Ochs responded that nothing in the current recommendation precludes such a discussion from taking place. The motion was approved 18 to 1.