Frequently Asked Questions

The first step in starting a project is to complete and submit a Project Request.  The Project Request form is located on both the PDC and DFM web pages. Fill out the form to the best of your ability and be sure to obtain all of the required signatures (the Requester, Department Head, and Dean's signatures are required).  Then e-mail or campus mail the signed form to PDC at pdc@wku.edu. 

Once your completed and signed form is received in the PDC office, it is logged and reviewed and then assigned a Project Manager.  The Project Manager is chosen based on current workloads, areas of expertise and in some cases, prior knowledge of the project scope (so, if you speak to a Project Manager before submitting your PR, be sure to indicate it on your form).

Your Project Manager will set an appointment with the contact person on the PR to go over the scope of work of the project as well as to visit the job site to understand the full details of the project. At this time, the PM may invite contractors so they can get details for their estimates.

In some instances, due to the magnitude of the project, a field project must be filed with the state. In that case, a field project package must be prepared and submitted to the state inspector for review and approval prior to the project start. The assigned Project Manager will work with the state inspector to prepare and submit the proper forms. 

As always, if you have any questions or need help filling out the PR form, you can contact the PDC office at 270-745-4048.

Once you and your Project Manager have determined a scope of work, written details and drawings may be presented for signature by the responsible party in your department to indicate final approval before construction begins.

Making changes to the scope after contracts are in place or after work has begun can increase the cost of a project and delay completion. This is why we ask that all details be nailed down prior to approval to eliminate change orders.

If you are proposing a space usage change, your department will need to acquire approval from the Scheduling Application Coordinator for Astra. PDC will typically provide you with a floor plan requiring signatures of your department head or dean as well as the Astra coordinator. Examples of change in usage are changing a classroom into offices or vice versa, absorbing lobby space into offices, or creating retail space.

Once the scope of work has been determined, your Project Manager works with vendors and contractors to prepare an estimate, which is then sent electronically to the contact person on the PR.  You will be able to review the estimate, which is valid for thirty (30) days.  If you and your approvers agree with the estimated amount, you should respond directly to your Project Manager via e-mail, confirming the account number you wish to use to fund the project.  Once the approval is received, PDC sends a request to Accounting to transfer those funds to a unique Project Account.  All labor, materials and other costs arranged by the Project Manager are charged to that special project account.  If you are using a Foundation account to pay for your project, purchase orders for approved funding are processed directly through the Foundation. 

Once your project is complete and all billings have been processed, any remaining funds will be released to your original account number. If for any reason during the project, your Project Manager foresees that costs will exceed 10% above the estimate, you will be notified so a decision can be made about how to proceed.

Instructions for completing the Project Request form also explain this process.

Some project scopes mandate that registered architects or engineers be hired for design services or to perform a feasibility study. If this is the case, your Project Manager will discuss specific requirements and costs with you. These professional services are an expense that will be charged to your project.

While an office, classroom, or break room, etc. may feel like 'yours', it really belongs to the university. Sometimes an occupant may want to modify a space to fit their current needs better, but it may not always be in the best interest of the university. Your Project Manager works with other departments across campus to help ensure the scope of your project will not create a maintenance problem, create a situation that has to be reversed for the next occupant, or violate life safety codes.

The university is obligated to adhere to a broad range of building codes and life safety codes. These include egress routes, occupancy loads, ADA accessibility, and much more. The PDC department works with state officials, consultants, and other departments on campus to help create and maintain a safe environment for all of WKU.

PDC coordinates with IT, EH&S, and DFM on projects, and will bill for these services as part of your project.

Your project may incur charges from a variety a sources: contracted work, campus IT, EH&S testing, Facilities Management labor, etc. PDC will consolidate billing for all these sources through your Project request and unique project index to simplify billing for your department.

The university does not keep a staff of tradesmen to perform renovation projects. While Facilities Management employs tradespeople, their function is to perform maintenance tasks. Therefore contractors will be hired to perform your project work, based on the specific needs of the project. The contractors we hire are instructed to work safely, behave courteously, and adhere to university regulations. PDC staff continuously evaluates the performance of contractors we hire. If you experience any problems relating to contractors during your renovation, please inform your Project Manager immediately so they can be addressed.

Projects under $100,000 are considered Renovations. Capital Construction can be renovation activities or new construction greater than $100,000.

PDC can help you with a wide variety of needs. This list is only a sampling of typical Renovations: space planning, furniture selection, finishes selections such as flooring and paints, window coverings, construction of walls, installation of cabinets, demolition, chalkboard replacement, A/V upgrades, lighting changes, electrical outlets and networking service additions, new office space development, classroom modifications, or any other physical modification to a university owned or operated facility.

The Project Request Form notes additional services which should be specified by the client as part of a project.

Your assigned Project Manager will work with a representative from your requesting department to discuss your needs and possible solutions. PDC has a variety of resources at our disposal and a staff with a broad range of professional experience and education from which to draw. Your PM will present you with one or more possible solutions and work with you to nail down details of your project to meet your department's needs, the university's goals, life safety codes, and budget requirements.