CAS Building Use Credits (BUC)

All,

Each year the College of Agricultural Sciences (CAS) receives Building Use Credits (BUC) which are funds generated from Facilities and Administration (F&A)/Indirect Cost recoveries on sponsored grants and contracts.

BUC funds may only be used for the liquidation of a principal debt incurred to acquire assets that are used directly for organized research activities, or payments to acquire, repair, renovate, or improve buildings directly used for organized research.

CAS solicits requests from units for projects that qualify for BUC fund use. The CAS Deans will evaluate the requests and determine which projects to submit to the university for approval.

Each fall we solicit requests for our anticipated annual BUC allocation.  We have historically received ~ $200K each year, and don’t yet know this year’s amount. We are hoping to receive our allocation from the Research Office in the spring.

Outlined below are the details of submitting a request for projects for these BUC funds.

Submission Deadline:  Please submit requests for BUC project funds by March 8th.

Where to Submit:  E-mail your signed form to jackie.thorsness@oregonstate.edu.

Questions:  E-mail jackie.thorsness@oregonstate.edu with questions.

 

WHAT TO SUBMIT: 

The attached CAS BUC form should be used to submit requests, with all sections completed. Units can submit up to two requests (submit a separate form for each request).  If there is more than one request from your unit, please indicate the priority order of your proposed projects.

As detailed on the CAS BUC form, requests should consist of:

  • A brief description of the item (please be succinct)
  • The rationale for the request
  • Amount of BUC funding request
  • Funding commitment from your unit (if any)
  • The total cost of the project (total project cost must be ≥ $10,000)
  • Estimated completion date of the project

 

EVALUATION OF BUC REQUESTS: 

In prioritizing CAS’ projects, consideration will be given to requests which support the research of multiple AES scientists. The level of matching funds would also be evaluated in the review of requests. Health/safety considerations, operational need, as well as budget soundness, level of reserves, returned overhead generated in previous year, and current status of BUC expenditures, are also used as decision criteria.

The following information may be useful to you as you prepare your BUC request. In previous cycles approved project costs ranged from $25,000-$60,000 with unit matching commitments ranging from 30% to 50% of total project cost.

Facilities that are shared by research and extension functions may be eligible, but only the % allocated to research use can be covered directly by BUCs.

CAS BUC FORM

 

Jackie Thorsness – Financial Strategic Partner and CFO

College of Agricultural Sciences

Financial Strategic Services - CAS

jackie.thorsness@oregonstate.edu