CSU Announces Parameters for Stadium Analysis, Public Forums Schedule

Colorado State University today announced an initial series of 10 public forums to collect stakeholder input regarding the proposed on-campus stadium. In addition, CSU President Tony Frank outlined firm guidelines of what will and won’t be considered as part of a recommendation on whether to build a new stadium on the university’s main campus.

Frank has created a Stadium Advisory Committee, chaired by Vice President for University Operations Amy Parsons and Athletic Director Jack Graham, which held its first meeting February 3. The committee is charged to conduct a thorough and inclusive public input process and to prepare a report by the end of the semester on whether the university should pursue an on-campus stadium, as well as specifics about where it could be built and how it would be funded.

He said any recommendations on a stadium must fall within the following parameters:

• CSU won’t consider putting the stadium on existing open green space, including the intramural fields.
• CSU won’t consider putting the stadium in front of significant existing view sheds so as to protect views of the mountains.
• All recommendations from the Advisory Committee must take into serious account any impact on neighbors in areas adjacent or near a new stadium.
• State appropriation, tuition, fees or taxes will not be considered as funding sources for a stadium project.

“In whatever the committee recommends, they must respect and uphold CSU’s mission as a land-grant university and the institution’s focus on excellence in everything we do,” Frank said. “If we keep that mission and standard of excellence in mind, along with the parameters outlined here, the Stadium Advisory Committee will come back with an appropriate recommendation.”

Four subcommittees of the Stadium Advisory Committee will examine specific aspects of the on-campus stadium concept over the coming weeks and months. The subcommittees will report their findings publically at the next meeting of the full committee on March 29 and at subsequent committee meetings. The subcommittees are:

• Design and Best Practices
• Alumni, Campus and Public Engagement
• Site Selection
• Market Analysis and Funding Sources

CSU’s Center for Public Deliberation has been asked to work with the Alumni, Campus and Public Engagement subcommittee to coordinate a comprehensive process for gathering public input. The CPD will collect feedback through an initial series of 10 public forums as well as other engagement channels, including online outreach, independent research and input gathered from emails, letters and phone calls. The information will be compiled into a report to the Stadium Advisory Committee, and it will also be available to the public.

“Many people care deeply about the stadium proposal, and I believe our community is best served by a robust, respectful discussion of the merits and concerns related to the idea of building a new stadium,” said Martín Carcasson, CPD director and associate professor of Communication Studies. “The public forums will provide participants with an opportunity to consider multiple, legitimate perspectives on the stadium while also providing ample opportunity for people to express their particular views. I also strongly encourage those who do not yet have a clear position on the issue to attend the forums, as these represent opportunities for them to hear multiple perspectives and inform their opinions.”

Dates, times and locations for public forums are:

• Thursday February 23 from 4:15-6:15 p.m. in the Cherokee Room in the Lory Student Center
• Thursday February 23 from 7-9 p.m. in the Cherokee Room in the Lory Student Center
• Monday February 27 from 4:15-6:15 p.m. in the Cherokee Room in the Lory Student Center
• Monday February 27 from 7-9 p.m. in the Cherokee Room in the Lory Student Center
• Saturday March 3 from 9-11 a.m. in the West Ballroom in the Lory Student Center
• Saturday March 3 from noon-2 p.m. in the West Ballroom in the Lory Student Center
• Tuesday March 6 from 4:15-6:15 p.m. in the West Ballroom in the Lory Student Center
• Tuesday March 6 from 7-9 p.m. in the West Ballroom in the Lory Student Center
• Wednesday March 7 from 4:15-6:15 p.m. at the Drake Centre on 802 West Drake Road
• Wednesday March 7 from 7-9 p.m. at the Drake Centre on 802 West Drake Road
Note: Parking on all A lots and metered lots on CSU campus, including the lots just north of the Lory Student Center, is free starting at 4 p.m.

The forums will be facilitated, small-group discussions. To ensure access to as many people as possible, participants are asked to attend just one forum. RSVPs are required. Walk-ups will be seated only if space is available. Participants can RSVP at http://col.st/zdOW3k or by calling the CSU Communication Studies department (which houses the CPD) at 970-491-6140.

A second phase of forums may be announced in late March or April to gather additional information concerning key issues related to the proposal. Opportunities to comment online will also be offered, and the Stadium Advisory Committee will provide additional options for community involvement throughout the review process.

Information about the public engagement process will be posted on the CPD website at www.cpd.colostate.edu and the stadium website at www.colostate.edu/stadium.

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