VIII - 4.01 PROCEDURES FOR THE ACQUISITION AND DISPOSITION OF
REAL PROPERTY
(Approved by the Board of Regents, February 1, 1989;
Amended, March 1, 1989; Amended on February 9, 2001)
A. These procedures are intended to implement portions of
University System of Maryland Policy VIII - 4.00 Policy on
Acquisition, Disposition, and Leasing of Real Property ("the
Policy") and shall be interpreted consistent with the provisions
of that Policy, including the definitions therein. In case of
any inconsistency, the Policy shall govern.
B. Acquisitions
1. Proposal
Subject to Paragraph B.5, whenever an Institution or
the Office seeks to acquire real property, its
president or VCAF shall submit to the Chancellor for
review a proposal that includes the following:
a. Description (including improvements) and location
of the property;
b. Location map;
c. Anticipated cost based upon most recent
appraisals, assessments, and other available
information;
d. Source of funds and/or other consideration to be
used for the acquisition;
e. If external financing or other form of borrowing
is to be used, the expected terms and the source
for paying the debt service;
f. If a contract containing an option to purchase or
right of first refusal is involved, the terms of
the option or right of first refusal;
g. Amount, source, and nature of consideration for
Capital Leases;
h. The purpose of the Acquisition;
i. Confirmation that the property is included in the
institution's Board-approved acquisition plan or facilities
master plan, or an explanation of why it is not.
Review shall include as appropriate the VCAF, the Office of
the Attorney General (OAG), and officials of the Institution
that submitted the proposal.
2. Approvals
If the Chancellor approves the proposal, and Board
approval is required, it shall be submitted to the Finance
Committee of the Board ("Committee") for its consideration.
If the Committee's action is favorable, it shall recommend
approval by the Board. Acquisitions shall be considered by
the Committee and the Board in executive session unless
otherwise decided by the Board. If the Board approves the
Acquisition, it may delegate to the Chancellor authority to
negotiate and execute all required documents. However, if
during the negotiations, the terms of the Acquisition change
materially to the detriment of the System or the Institution
from those approved by the Board, the Chancellor shall
return the matter to the Committee and the Board for further
consideration. The OAG shall review and approve all
documents for form and legal sufficiency prior to their
execution.
3. Due Diligence
Appropriate due diligence shall be undertaken with
respect to any Acquisition and shall be conducted
collaboratively by staff of the System, the OAG, and the
proposing Institution. All elements of due diligence need
not be completed before submission of a proposal to the
Chancellor, the Committee, or the Board. At the discretion
of the VCAF, and with the agreement of the Board, the
completion of due diligence may follow Board approval, but
shall occur before closing of the Acquisition. The due
diligence practices to be applied shall be consistent with
those established by the Chancellor pursuant to paragraph 17
of the Policy on Acquisition, Disposition and Leasing of
Real Property.
4. Board of Public Works
All Acquisitions must be approved by the Board of
Public Works ("BPW") except (1) agreements granting the
System or an Institution an option or right of first
refusal; (2) Acquisitions by gift; and (3) easements, rights-
of-way, and rights of entry unless the VCAF, in
collaboration both with the Institution receiving such
easement, right-of-way, or right of entry and the OAG,
determines that special circumstances dictate that the BPW
approval should be sought. BPW agenda items are prepared
and submitted to BPW by VCAF staff.
5. Option/Right of First Refusal Contracts
An Institution president or the VCAF may, without other
approval, enter into a contract giving the Institution an
option to purchase or a right of first refusal to acquire
real property that is included in its Board-approved
acquisition plan or facilities master plan, provided that
the cost of such option or right of first refusal does not
exceed the lesser of (a) 10% of the most current appraised
value (or the current assessed value if more recent
appraisals are unavailable) of the property, or (b)
$100,000. All such contracts shall be reviewed and approved
for form and legal sufficiency by the OAG. No option or
right of first refusal shall be exercised without prior
approval of the Board and BPW in accordance with these
Procedures.
C. Dispositions
1. Proposal
When an Institution or the Office seeks to dispose of
real property, its president or the VCAF shall submit to the
Chancellor for review a proposal that includes the
following:
a. Description (including improvements) and location
of the property
b. Location map
c. Value of the property based on most recent
appraisals, assessments, and available information
d. Consideration (cash, in-kind, other) to be
received
e. If a contract containing an option to purchase or
right of first refusal has been received with
respect to the property, the terms of the proposed
option or right of first refusal
f. Purpose of the Disposition
g. Confirmation that the Disposition is consistent with the
institution's Board-approved facilities master plan, and
explanation of any departure from that plan.
Review shall include as appropriate VCAF, OAG, and officials
of the institution that submitted the proposals.
2. Approvals
If the Chancellor approves the proposal, and Board
approval is required, it shall be submitted to the Committee
for its consideration. If the Committee's action is
favorable, it shall recommend approval by the Board.
Dispositions shall be considered by the Committee and the
Board in executive session unless otherwise decided by the
Board. If the Board approves the Disposition, it may
delegate to the Chancellor authority to negotiate and
execute all required documents. However, if during the
negotiations, the terms of the Disposition change materially
to the detriment of the System or institution from those
approved by the Board, the Chancellor shall return the
matter to the Committee and the Board for further
consideration. The OAG shall review and approve all
documents for form and legal sufficiency prior to their
execution.
3. Due Diligence
Appropriate due diligence shall be undertaken with
respect to any Disposition and shall be conducted
collaboratively by staff of the System, the OAG, and the
proposing institution. All elements of due diligence need
not be completed before submission of a proposal to the
Chancellor, the Committee, or the Board. At the discretion
of the VCAF, and with the agreement of the Board, the
completion of due diligence may follow Board approval, but
shall occur before closing of the Disposition. The due
diligence practices to be applied shall be consistent with
those established by the Chancellor pursuant to paragraph 17
of the Policy on Acquisition, Disposition and Leasing of
Real Property.
4. State Clearinghouse
The VCAF shall notify the State Clearinghouse of the
State Department of Planning of proposed Dispositions in
accordance with applicable law.
5. Board of Public Works
All Dispositions must be approved by the BPW, except
easements, rights-of-way, and rights of entry. The VCAF
after consultation both with the Institution granting such
easement, right-of-way or right of entry and the OAG, may
determine that special circumstances dictate that BPW
approval should be sought. BPW agenda items are prepared
and submitted to BPW by VCAF staff.
D. These Procedures are effective upon their approval by the
Board and replace any preceding policy under this Board
policy number.