The University Board has approved the Building Plan for 2020–2023 (Sw. Lokalförsörjningsplan). It is the first time the university has established a building plan, and it contains a number of prioritised projects over the course of the period.
Prioritised areas for 2020–2023 are the Umeå University Library, various projects on Campus Umeå, a relocation of the examination rooms to Campus Umeå, potentially adding premises where needed (primarily focusing on buildings adjoining the Campus Corridor on Campus Umeå), reparations of the Social Sciences Building, and the need for further premises for the Faculty of Medicine.
The cost of premises at Umeå University corresponded to 10.2 per cent of the total expenses for 2018, compared to the equivalent national average of 12.4.
"Our costs are low in national comparison," Vice-Chancellor Hans Adolfsson establishes. "Only the University of Gothenburg has a lower figure."
In 2016–2018, 500 study places on our programmes and courses were added. The demand for places is still high, despite the continuous increase. Consequently, this will require measures to be taken further on.
"Measures must not necessarily mean new buildings, it can also be reconstructions of existing buildings," says Hans Adolfsson. "Another alternative is to rent more premises."
To accomplish the Building Plan for 2020–2023, a requirement is to increase internal renting fees by a maximum of 3.5 per cent per year. And that percentage point is a definite overall limit, the University Board was strict in emphasising.