Faculty and Staff

Home Depot Center Procedures

PROGRAM PARTNERSHIP BETWEEN CALIFORNIA STATE UNIVERSITY, DOMINGUEZ HILLS AND HOME DEPOT CENTER/ANSCHUTZ ENTERTAINMENT GROUP

The Home Depot Center (HDC/AEG) opened in the summer of 2003, and the initial physical development of the facility is nearly concluded. When the velodrome currently under construction on the southwest corner of the campus is finished, the first phase of construction on the Center will be complete. Even before the stadium opened, however, California State University, Dominguez Hills (CSUDH) and HDC/AEG were addressing issues related to the challenges presented by close physical proximity of two organizations with seemingly different purposes. Much learning has taken place in the process, and the learning continues. This paper is intended to stimulate discussion leading to a joint strategy for creating programmatic links between CSUDH and HDC/AEG based on common purpose, interest, and need, as well as close proximity.

The agreement between the CSU Trustees and Anschutz Entertainment Group anticipates that locating HDC/AEG on the University campus will result in tangible and intangible benefits to both parties, but does not define the manner or form in which they may cooperate to realize those benefits. As an initial step to realizing the benefits of closer cooperation, the University and HDC/AEG have worked out a process for facilitating the development of cooperative instructional and student support programs. However, this process represents only a pragmatic beginning, and there is a need for a more strategic look at the issue of what constitutes desirable programmatic links, and why they are important to both organizations.

While the property line between CSUDH and HDC/AEG as defined in the agreement is a legal fact, it presents no barrier to both organizations looking at their missions for common interests that present possibilities for cooperative activity that enhances the performance of both partners. The benefits we would hope that collaboration will produce for the programs and activities of CSUDH and HDC/AEG are at least the following:

  • improved use of facilities;
  • improved interaction between staffs;
  • enhanced programs;
  • additional revenue; and
  • improved student enrollment and participant support.

However different the purposes of CSUDH and HDC/AEG might appear, there is in fact sufficient overlap in their missions to create the potential for a community of programmatic interest and activity. The missions of both center on education, athletics, and entertainment. One way for the partnership to evolve into more than joint tenancy of real estate is for the two organizations to begin viewing the overall campus and HDC conceptually as a center for these kinds of programs and activities.

As just one example of the cooperative potential that could be explored, consider the fact that CSUDH and HDC/AEG exist in an area that is served by Los Angeles International Airport and the Ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach. This region is perhaps the third largest foreign trade zone in the world, and the second largest in the United States. Much of the business in the South Bay is involved in foreign trade. Soccer is perhaps the most international of sports. Is there some way in which the University and HDC can jointly engage these enterprises in productive activity? One approach might be to develop an international business plan out of a class project to do the study and market analysis necessary.

Additional areas of joint interest and possible programmatic cooperation that come to mind are the following:

  • Community-based after school activities (of possible interest to the new governor);
  • Joint pursuit of external funding opportunities, possibilities of which may be enhanced by the unique nature of the CSUDH/Anschutz relationship;
  • Joint educational programs that are unique because of the combination of the resources of the two entities, ranging from certificates and professional development programs through degree programs at the undergraduate and graduate levels. (An example would be an athletic training program that focuses on high performance training.);
  • Internship opportunities for CSUDH students throughout the various units of AEG;
  • Continuing education programs and conferences focusing in areas of athletics and entertainment, such as health and wellness, team building, team management, event and facility management;
  • Joint development and use of physical facilities in support of academic programs;
  • Professional development, educational, and training programs for members of the Anschutz organization.

The foregoing examples are by no means exhaustive of the possibilities. The notion of programmatic partnership and the suggestions about how such a partnership might be manifested are put forward for discussion within the University and the Anschutz organization. The two parties are already exploring some ideas for cooperative programming, and the policy framework suggested herein is intended to give guidance and impetus to efforts to maximize the synergistic potential inherent in the relationship that is already established.

Program Partnership Between California State University, Dominguez Hills and Home Depot Center/Anshutz Entertainment Group (36 kb)

 

 

PROCESS FOR FACILITATING PROGRAMMATIC COOPERATION BETWEEN CSUDH AND HDC/ANSCHUTZ

Background

The Home Depot Center (HDC) is a major athletic facility project that has been created by the Anschutz Entertainment Group on 85 acres of the campus of California State University, Dominguez Hills (CSUDH). It includes a soccer stadium, tennis stadium, velodrome, major improvements to CSUDH physical education and athletic facilities, and additional parking areas. The Center will support major athletic events and training programs for selected amateur and professional sports.

While CSUDH will realize financial and public relations benefits because HDC is located on its property, the University also has the opportunity to advance its academic programs by linking and developing instructional resources and processes with the activities and programs of the HDC. Such efforts can relate to both existing areas of instruction as well as fields in which the University currently does not have any offerings. For example, the campus may see the advent of the HDC as presenting an opportunity for increased development of instructional and scholarly efforts in areas of entertainment and athletics.

Purpose of Procedure

This procedure document was developed jointly by Academic Affairs, Student Affairs, and University Advancement to provide guidance to members of the University community about how to propose and pursue academic and/or student support programs and activities that could profit from the partnership between CSU, Dominguez Hills and the Home Depot Center. It represents a first step at defining that element of this new partnership, and will need to be tested in actual practice and revised as experience with them may show is necessary.

The procedures contained herein are for use when seeking significant programmatic cooperation and interaction between CSUDH and HDC. They are intended to be workable for all divisions of the University, and assign responsibilities where they make the most sense functionally. They are not intended to cover making requests for funds from HDC/Anschutz or any other entity. Requesting funding is a separate and distinct process, covered by University policies and procedures for securing external funding from public or private non-university sources. Similarly, the procedures outlined in this document are not meant to cover routine non-programmatic interactions between the CSUDH and HDC staffs, which do not involve the commitment of significant resources by either party.

Principles

These procedures are based on the following principles:

  1. 1 Projects and/or activities need to be beneficial clearly both to the University and to HDC/Anschutz;
  2. Projects and/or activities should be aligned closely with the University’s academic goals and priorities;
  3. Decisions to pursue a project or not are University decisions, made in accordance with the strategic planning document by the President, the Provost and the Vice President for University Advancement, following consultation as appropriate;
  4. The process for submitting and reviewing proposals should be clear and widely known;
  5. Decisions regarding proposed projects and/or activities should be made and communicated to originators in a timely way; and
  6. The President, the Provost, and/or the Vice President for University Advancement may solicit and encourage proposals from academic and academic-related programs and units.

Relationship Officer

The President of the University will designate a member of the University staff who will serve as a resource to the campus in facilitating the relationships and processes envisioned in this set of procedures. This person’s responsibilities include maintaining an understanding of what is taking place in the programmatic relationship and collecting data on the benefits that accrue on both sides of the CSUDH-HDC/Anschutz relationship, coordinating the development of lists of faculty expertise and HDC/Anschutz personnel interested in being guest speakers in CSUDH courses, and ensuring that the President is informed of all pertinent related developments. This person will be able to provide a comprehensive inventory of formal and informal agreements and practices between CSUDH and HDC/Anschutz, and provide assistance in creating joint programs.

The Relationship Officer will also be the conduit through which HDC/Anschutz channels any requests that it may make regarding needs of a program nature with which the University might provide assistance. Upon receipt of an indication of need from HDC/Anschutz, the Relationship Officer will facilitate consultation with the divisional leadership and program unit personnel most likely to be affected.

These are interactions that are outside of the scope of the existing memoranda of understandings and agreements. Issues pertaining to the existing memoranda of understanding between CSUDH and Anschutz Entertainment Group governing the terms and conditions of the location and operation of the Home Depot Center on the CSUDH campus already fall under the purview of the Vice President for Administration and Finance.

Programs

The University envisions that among the tangible benefits from its partnership with HDC/Anschutz will be the expansion and enhancement of its instructional and academic support programs. Likewise, the instructional resources of the University may be a resource to the Home Depot Center or other units of the Anschutz organization. While it is assumed that most of the interaction between CSUDH and HDC/Anschutz under these procedures will be around the development and delivery of academic programs, there may also be projects for joint programs or cooperation that originate in Student Affairs, Administration and Finance, and University Advancement. These interactions will also be conducted in accordance with the procedures outlined in this document.

Cooperative programs between CSUDH and HDC/Anschutz may involve one or more of the following elements:

  • Facilities, including site visits
  • Adjunct faculty or staff, including guest speakers
  • Advisory roles
  • Internships, possibly leading to career opportunities with Anschutz organizations and in related fields
  • Faculty research and consultation

Coordination

A decision to initiate a cooperative project consists of three steps:

1. Preliminary Concept Statement

The proposing individual or unit prepares a preliminary concept statement of not more than two pages in length that provides the following information in sufficient detail to permit analysis and evaluation. Particular attention should be given to substantiating the need that the project is intended to meet:

  • Statement of concept
  • Need to be met
  • Evidence of need
  • University units involved
  • HDC/Anschutz units involved
  • Benefit to CSUDH
  • Benefit to HDC (or other Anschutz unit)
  • Estimated Cost

2. Review and Determination

The proposing individual or unit, with the approval of the department chair/director, and dean (if an academic program) submits copies of the preliminary concept statement simultaneously to the Provost, Vice President for University Advancement, and Vice President of the originating division, if not an academic department or program.

Within a week of receipt of the proposal, the Relationship Officer convenes a meeting of the designees of the Provost, the concerned Vice President(s), and HDC/Anschutz. This group meets to review and evaluate the proposal for its relationship to the principles (see above), clarity of concept, and evidence of need. If the proposal review indicates that it is consistent with the principles, can be clearly understood in relation to the academic goals and priorities of the University, and presents solid verifiable evidence of need, the group recommends to the Provost that a full proposal be developed.

If the proposal does not in the view of the reviewers meet these tests, the Relationship Officer returns it to the proposing individual or unit, within a week of the completion of the review, with a brief explanation of unresolved issues or questions. A copy of the review will be sent to the Provost, the Vice President for University Advancement, the Vice President of the originating division (if other than Academic Affairs or University Advancement), the dean of the school or college (if the proposal originated in Academic Affairs), and the chair/head of the department or program from which the proposal originated. The proposing individual or unit may revise the concept in line with the reviewers’ analysis and resubmit it through the original channel.

3. Development of Full Proposal

If the Provost accepts the recommendation to develop a full proposal, he will consult with the President, and following such consultation, direct the Relationship Officer to convene a meeting of the proposing individual or unit and the reviewers to discuss the nature, timeline, and appropriate format for a full proposal. This meeting will include a discussion of the review requirements of both the University and HDC/Anschutz. Existing University formats and review processes will be utilized to the maximum extent possible and appropriate.

Process For Facilitating Programmatic Cooperation Between CSUDH And HDC/Anschutz (43kb)