What will the student naming rights entail?
The commitment of our student body to this project will be honored with a naming right at both the stadium and arena. The actual location and name will be agreed upon by SGA and Athletics.
In addition, the design of the student areas will be unique (in both name and look) to fit the naming rights selected.
If a new stadium is not constructed, what will happen to Robertson Stadium in 12 months when the safety window expires?
We would need to consider the safety of our fans as well as the expense to determine our best option. One likely option would be to find an alternative site off-campus. We certainly would prefer to avoid this option because of the incredible home-field advantage now present at UH! The second option would be to fortify Robertson Stadium. This quickly-deteriorating facility is in great need of many upgrades, primarily structural, so the long term prospects at Robertson Stadium are not encouraging and likely would not be the best use of resources.
Is it possible to delay the fee until the stadium opens in 2014?
No, if we want to be the most financially responsible and maximize the resources provided by the student fee, the fee will need to begin in 2012. Based upon financial projections we would need to secure the amount borrowed by November.
What is a bond process?
Provided by University Treasurer, Raymond Bartlett
• The Finance & Administration(F&A) Committee of the Board of Regents must approve the business plan demonstrating the ability of the project to generate sufficient cash flow to cover the debt service payments required of the bond.
• The F&A Committee must also approve the issuance of the bond.
• Both the business plan and the bond issue must be approved by the full board.
• The Texas Bond Review Board must approve the application to issue the bond (unless otherwise exempted under their rules).
• The university meets with the credit rating agencies to obtain a credit rating for the bonds to be issued.
• The university issues a Notice of Sale wherein it seeks competitive bids from underwriting firms (e.g. Goldman Sachs, Morgan Stanley, JP Morgan Chase, etc.).
• The chair of the F&A Committee accepts the bid that yields the university the lowest interest cost.
• The Texas Attorney General must review and approve the bond.
• The university closes on the bonds and receives the cash.
• The cash is used to fund construction of the project.
• The project’s cash flow pays the debt service on the bond.
Why is a new construction at Robertson Stadium more cost-effective than a renovation?
The last assessment by a University retained engineering firm concluded the structure was in “poor to failed” condition. To perform all the corrective measures to ensure its future for another fifty years, Robertson would have to undergo extensive treatments to fortify the 70 year-old concrete as well as update the structure for current American’s with Disabilities Act standards, and the cost would be significant and comparable to new construction. Also to advance our program, the design needs to incorporate more seating which again will be challenging with the existing angle and rise of Robertson seating decks.
Could we decrease the cost by splitting the football and basketball projects?
Technically the costs are split as the projects are not tied as a package for the architect and construction team. Athletics is pursuing them in conjunction to take advantage of a favorable construction market and decreased interest rates.
Why are we doing this now?
These capital projects have been in formal development for two years. This process began well in advance of the 2011 season and our stadium renderings were actually initially unveiled before the 2010 season.
What are some of the long term benefits this decision will provide to our university?
Perhaps the biggest reason the stadium issue has advanced to the referendum stage is the long-term benefits for our University. We have a Chancellor who understands and embraces the exposure our Athletics teams bring the University which increase application rates and advancement. It is also an source of pride to draw our Alumni back to campus to support their institution.
Our ability to remain nationally competitive on campus and in athletics, and provide state-of-the-art facilities for all of our students to enjoy are critical for attracting and retaining the young talented student-athletes worthy of our university.
The push to create more on-campus student life opportunities continues to be a focus here at UH and these new facilities would not only be a new home for Houston Athletics, but will serve as the home to special student-life events, graduations, intramural championship games and other opportunities.
These new facilities would enhance the perception of our University across the country when shown on national television. In 2011 alone UH had each of its games televised and in 2013, with our move to the BIG EAST, our facilities AND OUR CAMPUS will be shown coast-to-coast on national television more often than ever before! Just think back to the tremendous exposure ESPN College Game Day gave our university. While ESPN came to our campus because of our nationally-ranked football program, it turned into an unprecedented campus-wide moment of pride.
Are graduate students included in the fee increase?
Yes. All students enrolled will be subject to the fee. Graduate students will receive the same free ticket opportunities as our undergraduate population.
Is it an option to decrease the student fee and begin charging for student tickets?
To capitalize on the current low interest rates, we are using the student fee to finalize our loan process.
What is the plan for parking spaces during the construction phase? How many spots will be lost?
Design will ultimately determine the number of parking spaces temporarily made unavailable during construction. Knowing the field will be replaced allows the contractors to utilize the field area as a staging/laydown opportunity which will make the construction footprint smaller and more efficient. If we weren’t giving up the field, the construction site would be much more expansive. In addition, the stadium parking garage will be available this fall, three months before construction is scheduled to begin, so we feel confident students will have access too parking spaces that equal what they currently have now.
The impact on parking of the spaces temporarily unavailable during renovation of Hofheinz should be minimized.
How could the entire student body benefit from a new stadium?
During our studies we have found that athletics facilities have a much more broad impact on campus life than just game day. In addition to these facilities hosting nationally-televised sporting events, your new facilities will serve as the home to speaker series’, concerts, intramurals, etc. The two facilities will be designed and scheduled to benefit our entire student body and will serve as a symbol to the many outstanding accomplishments at our University over the past decade.
What steps will be in place after the new construction to maintain the facility?
The business plan includes a proper maintenance budget and renewal schedule to ensure the upkeep for the structure and its components. Also, the University’s Facilities Management division will be charged with this responsibility independent of Athletics, which will add an additional level of assurance for its status for years to come.
Why are we being asked to pay another fee on the heels of the University Center?
We are certainly cognizant of the commitment our student body has made to fund a badly needed improvement to a core student facility. That is why it remains the primary focus of our development staff to continue raising funding to help minimize the impact on our student population and was equally important to create two state-of-the-art facilities that students could use and enjoy, regardless of your interest level in collegiate athletics.
What are some of the effects UH Athletics can have on our university as a whole?
Studies have shown increases in applications following successful athletics seasons and while time will tell if that occurs at UH, similar comparisons done at Northwestern, Boston College, Kansas State, and many other universities show that Athletics bring attention to academic excellence which draw more interest in college applicants.
Two trained researchers Jaren and Devin Pope conducted a recent study on the effects of profile Athletics on the institutions they represent. Entitled “Understanding College Application Decisions: Why Sports Matter”, their study demonstrated a link between Athletics success and an increase in applications. For basketball teams invited to the NCAA tournament, the increase ranged between 2% and 10%. For football teams finishing the season ranked in the top 20, the increase was typically 2% to 12%.
Pope, Devin G. and Pope, Jaren C., Understanding College Application Decisions: Why College Sports Success Matters (November 26, 2008). Available at SSRN: http://ssrn.com/abstract=1307788
School pride has risen dramatically in recent years and we are proud to be a part of that initiative. UH is succeeding at historic levels. From nationally-ranked recruiting classes, our history making 13-1 football campaign and our move to the BIG EAST Conference, there is no question outsiders are taking a closer look at UH and they are now seeing what we have to offer, beyond collegiate athletics.
Our students were critical in us breaking the Robertson Stadium attendance record for the second consecutive year. We sold out the Conference USA Championship Game in record time. UH was the top-ranked football program in the state of Texas for a majority of the 2011 season and with that comes more UH gear on our campus, an enhanced campus life and a more active alumni base.
What is the projected timeline of the entire project?
The demolition of Robertson Stadium will start immediately following the completion of the 2012 season, approximately December 2012. The proposed construction schedule for a new football stadium is 20 months would conclude in the summer of 2014. In the interim, UH Athletics is investigating a number of off-campus locations to host home games for the 2013 season.
The renovation of Hofheinz Pavilion would take less time, but as a precaution, UH is also investigating alternative sites for home basketball games. Student tickets would continue to be free for both events, regardless of facility location.
