51³Ô¹ÏºÚÁÏ

51³Ô¹ÏºÚÁÏ Real Estate Office will provide quality, professional real estate services with emphasis on customer service and customer satisfaction. Real estate personnel are dedicated to positive action, open communication, and productive solutions to fulfill the 51³Ô¹ÏºÚÁÏ goals and objectives established by the University mission statement and strategic plans.

51³Ô¹ÏºÚÁÏ Real Estate responsibilities include:

• Represent the Board of Regents and President as land owner, landlord, or tenant.
• Evaluate real property requirements and lease strategies for 51³Ô¹ÏºÚÁÏ and/or proposed non-51³Ô¹ÏºÚÁÏ tenants at all 51³Ô¹ÏºÚÁÏ campuses.
• Manage NSHE/51³Ô¹ÏºÚÁÏ real property acquisition, disposal, and leases.

Services Provided to 51³Ô¹ÏºÚÁÏ include:

• Provide real estate acquisition and disposal services, contract negotiations and contracting for escrow and title services, due diligence evaluations, and real estate agency marketing support.
• Ensure campus compliance with State, NSHE and 51³Ô¹ÏºÚÁÏ real estate policies regarding financial analyses of real estate transactions, evaluation of leased facilities, health and safety code compliance, building condition evaluations, environmental site assessments, long-range master plan compliance, implementation and campus property management policies and procedures.
• Develop campus leasing policies and procedures that integrate long-range development plans, community relations issues, financial feasibility, and sound business practices.
• Conduct property management and administration services for leases and other contract agreements involving facilities use. Property lease services include tenant and landlord representation, negotiations, market surveys, site evaluation and selection, lease analysis for acquired professional practices, licenses, affiliations, easements, rights-of-way, billboards, and the like. Asset services include: lease and contract management, administration of the TMA lease database, preparation of contract forms, coordination of lease related payments, preparation of periodic reports, accounting, property tax filing, contract audits, exercise of options, terminations and renewals, and contract compliance.
• Coordinate tenant improvements negotiations, project management, budget review, contract compliance for cost allocations between tenant and landlord and contract processing. Project management services include coordination with the client department, landlord, 51³Ô¹ÏºÚÁÏ Planning & Construction, project architects and contractors
• Advise 51³Ô¹ÏºÚÁÏ tenant departments about relocation requirements and procedures.
• Evaluate real estate charitable gifts and coordinate acquisition, and disposition services within the policies of the 51³Ô¹ÏºÚÁÏ Foundation, 51³Ô¹ÏºÚÁÏ Research Foundation, and Board of Regents of the Nevada System of Higher Education.
• Coordinate inter-governmental relations for leases, acquisitions, dispositions, rights-of-way, easements and other property related transactions.

1. Policy References
   1. Nevada Revised Statues 396.420-430 relating to Property, Equipment Materials and Supplies of the Nevada System of Higher Education.
   2. Nevada Revised Statutes 361.055 and 375.090(2) relating to property tax exemptions.
   3. Title 4, Chapter 10, Section 1.9 of the Handbook of the Board of Regents of the Nevada System of Higher Education - Acquisition or Sale of Real Property.
   4. NSHE Procedures and Guidelines Manual Chapter 5, Fiscal Procedures.
2. Purpose
   The purpose of this section is to implement the Nevada System of Higher Education (NSHE) policy, guidelines and procedures to ensure that acquisition of and disposal of real property is in compliance with applicable law and policies of the Board of Regents and to reduce the risk of liability by conducting an environmental site assessment prior to the acquisition of real property.
3. Definitions
   1. Real Property
      The term real property shall be construed as coextensive in meaning with land and shall include any right, title, or interest in land or in any building, structure, or other improvement permanently affixed to land.
   2. Acquisition of Real Property
      The term acquisition of real property shall mean the acquisition of any interest in real property, but shall not include any leasehold interest or easement.
   3. Appraisal
      Appraisal refers to an appraisal that meets Appraisal Institute Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice (USPAP) conducted by a State of Nevada certified designated appraiser. Appraisal Institute MAI certified appraisers are preferred.
   4. System
      Refers to the Nevada System of Higher Education (NSHE).
   5. Institution
      Institution shall mean the Institution of the NSHE including Community College of Southern Nevada, the Desert Research Institute, Great Basin College, Nevada State College at Henderson, Truckee Meadows Community College, the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, the University of Nevada, Reno and Western Nevada Community College.
   6. Contract
      Contract shall mean any written agreement entered into by or on behalf of the Board of Regents of the NSHE with another party or parties, whereby, for a stated consideration, the NSHE will acquire ownership or transfer ownership of any interest in real property.
   7. Chief Business Officer
      Chief business officer shall mean the chief campus officer(s) designated by the institution to be responsible for all real property transactions or the Vice Chancellor for Finance and Administration for the NSHE.
   8. Disposal of Real Property
      The term disposal of real property shall mean the transfer of ownership of any interest in real property from the Board of Regents of the NSHE to another party or parties, but shall not include the granting of any leasehold interest or easement.
   9. Emergency
      Emergency shall mean any situation where it is necessary for the NSHE to acquire or dispose of real property in order to (a) avoid the loss of life, health, safety, or property, (b) respond to time limits established by a person or agency external to the NSHE, or to (c) obtain cost savings for the NSHE.
   10. Risk Management and Safety
       Risk Management and Safety (EHS) shall mean the institutional office responsible for risk management, environmental, health and safety issues.
   11. Environmental Site Assessment
       Environmental site assessment (ESA) shall mean the process to determine if real property, including improvements, is subject to recognized environmental conditions. The ESA process includes: Phase I – investigation; Phase II – testing; and Phase III – site remediation.
   12. Property Condition Assessment
       Property condition assessment (PCA) shall mean the process of identifying and communicating physical deficiencies of the property to the institution that conforms to ASTM E2018-01 "Standard Guide for Property Condition Assessments: Baseline Proper Condition Assessment Process".
   13. ALTA/ACSM Land Title Survey
       ALTA/ACSM land title survey shall mean a professional land survey, performed to the standards adopted by the American Land Title Association (ALTA) and the American Congress on Surveying and Mapping (ACSM), to provide a survey acceptable by a title insurance company for purposes of insuring title to said property to the standards of the American Land Title Association indicating that the property is free and clear of survey matters.
   14. Real Estate Brokers and Agents
       Real estate consultants licensed to practice in the State of Nevada or such other states where real estate transactions may be executed.
   15. Nevada State Public Works Board
       The Nevada State Public Works Board (SPWB) shall mean the state board established under NRS 341 to administer the public works programs of the State of Nevada.
   16. Easement Agreement
       Easement Agreement shall mean a transfer or conveyance of NSHE property to others for limited use and special purposes for an indefinite period and is authorized only for needs created by facilities projects, which have been authorized by the Board of Regents, or for providing rights of access or egress to isolated properties.
   17. License
       License shall mean a permission granted by the NSHE to others to use a specific parcel of real property for a specific purpose for a period of fixed duration.
   18. Right-of-Way
       Right-of-way is a general term that may have two meanings related to real property:
       1. The right of a public utility, a private company or individual business owner to place tracks of a railway, metro, tram or to install telephone, cable television, fiber optic or electric power lines (usually granted with government authorization or expropriation); also the bed upon which railroad tracks are installed; and
       2. The right (usually termed an easement in common law jurisdictions) allowing a particular person, the owners or licensees of adjacent land or the general public to walk, cross, and/or drive across certain parcel of land. Usually to gain access to another parcel of land that may be enclosed or may not have easy access to a roadway;
4. Procedures for the Acquisition of Real Property
   1. Acquisition in the Name of the Board of Regents. All real property acquired by the NSHE or any unit or subdivision thereof shall be acquired in the name of The Board of Regents of the NSHE. The process begins by presentation of the acquisition proposal to the 51³Ô¹ÏºÚÁÏ leadership and The Investment Committee of the Board of Regents. The 51³Ô¹ÏºÚÁÏ Property Acquisition and Disposal Checklist and Property Evaluation contained as Appendices A and B will be used to conduct the transaction and required due diligence activities.
   2. Appraisal. A current appraisal to USPAP standards will be conducted by an independent State certified real estate appraiser concerning the fair and reasonable market value of the property shall be presented to the Board. A current appraisal is defined as an appraisal having an effective date of no more than twelve (12) months prior to the date of consideration by the Board of Regents. The chief business officer or his designee shall coordinate the review process for the property appraisal.
   3. Report on Need for Acquisition. When a need for real property is identified a written Due Diligence Report shall be made to The Investment Committee of the Board of Regents which shall include:
      1. Justification of the need and explanation any acquisition conditions that would be involved as a result of the type of acquisition (e.g. gift, grant and exchange properties may have conditions attached);
      2. The General Counsel description of the property. Obtain a Preliminary Title Report from the escrow/title company that will process the transaction and carry the CLTA or ALTA title insurance;
      3. A general description of any buildings and other improvements located on the property;
      4. A summary of the past and present use of the property;
      5. The authorized land use and zoning of the property;
      6. A current certified MAI appraisal of the property;
      7. A summary of the results of the environmental site assessment, ALTA/ACSM Land Title Survey, and Property Condition Assessment report;
      8. Status of water and/or mineral rights;
      9. The impact, if any, on any applicable campus master site plan; and
   4. Approval by Board of Regents Required. Before the Chancellor or the president of a NSHE institution can commence negotiations for the acquisition of real property on behalf of the Board of Regents, the Board's approval must first be obtained. Any proposed acquisition of real property shall be submitted to the Board either as part of the Institution's master plan or individually for approval and shall include the elements included in Paragraph 4.c above. After the Board of Regents gives its approval for the negotiation for acquisition of real property, the Chancellor or the president of a NSHE institution shall be authorized to negotiate the real property acquisition, including the purchase price, subject to the subsequent approval of the terms of the purchase by the Board. Funds of the NSHE shall not be committed or paid out for acquisition of real property and no contract relating thereto may be executed for or on behalf of the Board of Regents until the Board of Regents shall have approved the acquisition. The purchase must be an arm's length transaction and any transaction with a seller related to the NSHE must be revealed to the Board of Regents. The Board's approval of a campus master plan is deemed to constitute the Board's prior approval of the acquisition of property according to the terms of the master plan.
   5. General Counsel Approval of Instruments. The 51³Ô¹ÏºÚÁÏ Office of the General Counsel and NSHE Chief Counsel shall approve all contracts, deeds, leases and other instruments for acquisition of real property prior to execution on behalf of the Board of Regents. All offers for the acquisition of real property under this subsection must be in writing and must contain the following statement: "This purchase offer is contingent upon the approval of the terms of the purchase by the Board of Regents. If the Board of regents does not approve the terms of the purchase, the purchase offer made herein is void and is of no binding effect whatever." (Revised Jan. 2009)
   6. Real Estate Brokers and Agents. The Regents Handbook, Title 4, Chapter 10 Section 2. states, "The Board of Regents is the only entity within the University System that can retain the services or approve payment to third parties where the Nevada System of Higher Education is involved in real estate purchase, trade or lease. No one else can obligate the Board of Regents in such matters except by prior authorization by the Board of Regents. An independent appraisal shall be obtained when an institution liquidates real property."
   7. Eminent Domain, Chief Counsel Responsibility. In the event any real property is proposed for acquisition through exercise of the Board of Regents' power of eminent domain, the Office of the Chief Counsel shall have responsibility for any such acquisition and compliance with statutory requirements for notice, hearing, good faith negotiations and, if necessary, commencement of eminent domain proceedings.
   8. Relocation Assistance. The chief business officer of the institution involved in any real property acquisition shall, with assistance from the General Counsel, be responsible for compliance with all laws and NSHE regulations relating to relocation assistance to persons to be displaced as result of NSHE eminent domain real property acquisition.
5. Environmental Review Policy for the Acquisition of Real Property
   1. An Environmental Site Assessment (ESA) shall be conducted prior to the acquisition of real property, including real property acquired by donation or bequest.
   2. Acquisitions of residential and vacant/unoccupied lands shall, at a minimum, use the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) Standard ESA transaction screen process E-1528.
   3. Acquisition of commercial and industrial sites shall, at a minimum, use the ASTM Standard Phase I ESA process E-1527, and shall include a review of any permits, licenses, notices of violation or consent agreements issued pursuant to environmental laws and regulations.
   4. Investigation of other environmental issues or conditions beyond the scope of the ASTM Standards, e.g. asbestos-containing materials, lead based-paint, lead in drinking water, wetlands, and biological or radiation contamination, may be required but shall be determined and performed on a property-by-property basis.
      (Revised Jan. 2009)
   5. The ESA review process includes:
      1. The ESA process E-1528 shall be performed by either an environmental consultant or by a University employee trained to conduct an ESA; but the ESA process E-1527 shall only be performed by an environmental consultant.
      2. The institution acquiring the real property shall pay all costs of the ESA as part of the acquisition process.
      3. The Office of General Counsel, institutional risk management and safety department, and the chief business officer of the institution shall review the ESA report.
      4. A decision to: (a) conduct any further assessment, (b) reject the property, or (c) acquire the property with identified risks, subject to Board approval, shall be made by the chief business officer of the institution after consulting with the Office of General Counsel. If environmental risks exist, consideration shall be given to assuming the risks, mitigating the risks by the grantor prior to acquisition, or requiring indemnification by the grantor.
6. Procedure for the Disposal of Real Property
   1. Report on Disposal. When real property of the NSHE becomes excess to the needs of an institution, a written report shall be made to the Board of Regents which shall include:
      1. Justification, need for disposal and explanation of any sale conditions that would be involved as a result of the type of disposal;
      2. The description of the property;
      3. A general description of any buildings and other improvements located on the property;
      4. A summary of the past and present use of the property;
      5. The land use and zoning of the property;
      6. The estimated value of the property;
      7. Disposal of water or mineral rights; and
      8. The impact, if any, on any applicable campus master site plan.
   2. Appraisal. A current appraisal to Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice (USPAP) criteria will be conducted by an independent State certified real estate appraiser concerning the fair and reasonable market value of the property shall be presented to the Board. A current appraisal is defined as an appraisal having an effective date of no more than twelve (12) months prior to the date of consideration by the Board of Regents. The chief business officer or his designee shall coordinate the review process for the property appraisal.
   3. Approval by Board of Regents Required. Before the chancellor or the president of a NSHE institution can commence negotiations for the sale of real property on behalf of the Board of Regents, the Board's approval must first be obtained. Any proposed disposal of real property shall be submitted to the Board for approval through the Investment Committee and shall include the elements included in Paragraph 6(a) above. After the Board of Regents gives its approval for the sale of real property, the Chancellor or the president of a NSHE institution shall be authorized to negotiate the real property sale, including the sale price, subject to the subsequent approval of the terms of the purchase or sale by the Board. The sale must be an arm's length transaction and any transaction with a buyer related to the NSHE must be revealed to the Board of Regents. No instrument disposing of real property owned by the NSHE shall be executed until the Board of Regents has approved such disposal.
   4. Public Sale or Auction. Unless the Board of Regents otherwise provides the means for disposal, disposal of real property shall be by sealed bid public sale or by public auction, except where disposal shall be to the State of Nevada or to any agency or political subdivision thereof. A public bid will be issued for the sale of real property through 51³Ô¹ÏºÚÁÏ Purchasing and Contracts. Any such sale shall be advertised at least once per week for three successive weeks in advance of the bid closing date in at least one newspaper having general circulation in the county where the real property is located. A public bid opening will be conducted by 51³Ô¹ÏºÚÁÏ Purchasing and Contracts. The NSHE shall always reserve the right to reject any and all bids at any sealed bid public sale. The most responsive bid for the property will be submitted to the Board of Regents for final approval of the sale.
   5. Real Estate Disposal Proceeds Account(s). There shall be established for each major institution appropriate NSHE account(s) for the deposit of proceeds from the disposal of real estate. This account(s) will be accounted for in the plant fund group of accounts. Proceeds may be expended for purposes authorized by the Board of Regents.
   6. General Counsel Approval of Instruments. All instruments relating to the disposal of real property of the NSHE shall be approved by the 51³Ô¹ÏºÚÁÏ Office of the General Counsel and NSHE Chief Counsel as to form prior to execution of the same on behalf of the Board of Regents. Any contract, memorandum of understanding, letter of intent or similar document for the sale of real property must be in writing and must contain the following statement:
      
      "This sale offer is contingent upon the approval of the terms of the sale by the Board of Regents of the NSHE. If the Board of Regent, in its sole and absolute discretion, does not approve the terms of the sale, the sale offer made herein shall be deemed null and void without the necessity of further documentation and shall be deemed to be of no binding effect whatsoever."
7. Recording, Custody, Storage and Release of Real Property Instruments
   1. Recording. All deeds, and other instruments as appropriate, will be recorded in the appropriate county as soon as practical after receipt.
   2. Custody, Filing and Storage.
      1. Abstracts of title and other real property instruments of all institutions will be filed and stored under the custody and control of the Vice Chancellor for Finance and Administration in the NSHE's central depository located at the NSHE System Administration Office in Las Vegas. The Vice Chancellor for Finance and Administration will log all abstracts of title and other real property instruments into a master property register and then file and store the same in the NSHE's central depository.
      2. A copy of all documents cited in subparagraph 1) above shall be maintained at 51³Ô¹ÏºÚÁÏ by the Real Estate office.
   3. Release. Originals of abstracts of title and other real property instruments shall only be released to NSHE officials. Release of such instruments shall be only for the period of time necessary for actual use. Originals of abstracts of title and other real property instruments shall be registered or certified when sent through the U.S. mail.
8. Escrow and Title Insurance
   Escrow and title services will be contracted with licensed escrow and title companies. The type of title insurance may be either California Land Title Association (CLTA) or American Land Title Association (ALTA) certified as deemed appropriate by the institutional business officer on the advice of the Institution and NSHE Risk Managers.
9. Execution of Contracts
   The execution of agreements for acquisition or disposal shall be in accordance with the Polices and Procedures for the Preparation and Approval of NSHE Contracts, NSHE Procedures and Guidelines Manual, Chapter 5.
10. Administration and Implementation
    The Associate Vice President for Facilities Management & Planning and the Director for Real Estate shall be responsible for administration and implementation of this policy.

1. Definitions. Easement Agreement, License, and Right-of-Way are defined in Paragraph 3 above.
2. Policy for Granting Easements, Rights-of -Way or Licenses for Real Property
   1. Report on Easement, Right-of-Way, or License. After identification of a need for an easement agreement, the institution will provide a report stating:
      1. The specific use for which an easement, right-of-way or license is required,
      2. Legal description,
      3. General description of the property
      4. The duration of the use, and the Board-approved facilities project or access issue creating the requirement for such an agreement,
      5. A "draft" easement or right-of-way agreement for review and approval with the report, and
      6. Review terms with the General Counsel.
   2. Approval by Chancellor and/or Board of Regents Required. Any proposal to grant an easement or license to real property of the NSHE, except sub-surface construction utility easements, shall be submitted through the Board Investment Committee to the Board for approval and shall include the elements included in Paragraph 2.a above. No instrument granting an easement or license for real property owned by the NSHE shall be executed until the Board of Regents has approved such easement or license. Sub-surface construction utility easements may be, at NSHE Counsel discretion, distributed to the members of the Board Investment Committee. The Committee members will determine if the specific sub-surface utility easement request must come before the Board for approval or can be granted by the Chancellor.
   3. Easement or License Award Procedures. The NSHE shall establish the terms and conditions of all easements or licenses and negotiate directly with the party for which the easements or licenses are "necessitated" for locating utility transmission lines or for providing rights of access or egress to isolated properties.

1. Definitions
   1. Vacation. Vacation shall mean the process to eliminate the public access to a local street or thoroughfare and transfer the sole entitlement to the NSHE.
2. The Chancellor, with Regents' approval, is authorized to act and sign on behalf of the Board of Regents in connection with:
   1. The petitioning and making application to any municipality or county for the vacation of streets and alleys, for curb cuts and street set-backs, and in connection with all other matters involving use of streets and alleys or property of any municipality or county by an institution.
   2. The acceptance of any ordinances passed by any municipality or county as a result of such petitions and applications.

New leases and lease renewal amendments must be reviewed and approved by several departments at 51³Ô¹ÏºÚÁÏ and, in some cases, NSHE. This applies to both leases where 51³Ô¹ÏºÚÁÏ is the tenant and in the less common cases, where 51³Ô¹ÏºÚÁÏ will be the landlord. All space lease requests at 51³Ô¹ÏºÚÁÏ require submission to the President's Cabinet through the Space Committee.

To originate a new lease or lease renewal a department or prospective non-51³Ô¹ÏºÚÁÏ tenant should follow the 51³Ô¹ÏºÚÁÏ Property Lease Steps in Appendix C. The first step is to submit a Request for Change of Space Allocation form available from the Executive Director of Academic and Development, Office of the Provost (Box 2038) or on the internet. Prospective non-51³Ô¹ÏºÚÁÏ tenants can work through a sponsoring department or directly through the 51³Ô¹ÏºÚÁÏ Planning and Construction real estate office. The space requirement will be evaluated to determine the need, priority, and whether 51³Ô¹ÏºÚÁÏ space is available. This form automatically generates a request to the Space Committee.

If a determination is made that a property lease is required the lease request will be passed to the Associate Vice President for Administration and Director for Real Estate. The Real Estate Manager will negotiate and manage all property leases. The requestor will be contacted to initiate an Interdepartmental Request (IDR) with an attached Property Lease Request Form (Appendix D). All requestors should understand that obtaining property leases is a lengthy process and often requires more than six months to complete. Short-term leases (under four years) with a total value under $400,000 can be approved by the President of 51³Ô¹ÏºÚÁÏ. Leases with a value over $400,000 and/or long-term property leases (exceeding four years) must be approved by the NSHE Chancellor. All long-term property leases (exceeding four years) on NSHE/51³Ô¹ÏºÚÁÏ property where NSHE/51³Ô¹ÏºÚÁÏ is the land owner must be approved by the NSHE Board of Regents (BOR) via The Investment Committee.

The Real Estate Manager will prepare leases for approval as follows:

1. Determine lease requirements and approval by the President.
2. Prepare a draft lease using either the NSHE lease format or a lease provided by the landlord.
3. Prepare individual draft lease routing packages that contain
   1. A 51³Ô¹ÏºÚÁÏ or BOR briefing memo with details explaining the review/approval requirements and deadline.
   2. A lease payment budget summary (Purchase Request for final package)
   3. The draft lease or lease amendment
   4. A copy of the original lease or expired lease (if applicable)
   5. Other supporting documents as required by the individual lease
4. Route draft lease packages to:
   1. Planning and Construction internal routing
   2. Facilities Management internal routing
   3. Department that will be tenant in the leased space
   4. Executive Director of Academic Resources and Development, Office of the Provost
   5. 51³Ô¹ÏºÚÁÏ Purchasing and Contracts office lease contracts administrator
   6. 51³Ô¹ÏºÚÁÏ General Counsel
   7. NSHE Assistant System Counsel and Director for Real Estate Planning for leases to be approved by the Regents and/or signed by the Chancellor
5. Route final lease packages to:
   1. Department that will be tenant in the leased space
   2. Purchasing and Contracts Office lease contracts administrator
   3. Office of General Counsel
   4. Director for Real Estate
   5. Associate Vice President for Facilities Management and Planning
   6. Executive Director of Academic and Personnel Resources, Office of the Provost
   7. NSHE Assistant General Counsel for leases to be approved by BOR and/or signed by the Chancellor
   8. Space Planning and Allocation Committee
   9. Vice President for Finance and Business
   10. Cabinet Implementation and Oversight Committee
   11. Cabinet
   12. President
   13. Chancellor, NSHE (if required)
   14. Board of Regents, NSHE (if required)
6. Lease contract signature routing will be only to those officials required to sign the contract. All signature routing will include the Director for Real Estate and Associate Vice President for Facilities Management and Planning. Signature blocks required on the contract are usually:
   1. Dean/Director of tenant department
   2. Vice President for Finance and Business (is authorized to sign on behalf of President and Chancellor)
   3. President (when required)
   4. Chancellor (when required)