Agenda - 06-01-2010 - 8a - Laserfiche WebLink

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because any contamination of the soil, groundwater or creek occurred.. The University is working with DENR to ensure compliance with all applicable regulations. Although these incidents have been painfully embarrassing to the institution, they have also taught us some valuable lessons. One is that, when you have so many different units with varying interests operating at an off - campus location, you need a strong leader with extraordinary communications skills at the top of a well - established chain -of- command to make operations run smoothly. In February 2010, Chancellor Holden Thorp appointed Dr. Robert Lowman, associate vice chancellor for research and research professor of psychology, to oversee the Bingham Facility. Dr. Lowman and his team are in the midst of a thorough re- examination of the whole facility, including the way the buildings are constructed, its energy sources and an integrated water approach. Making as little impact as possible on the environment and on the facility's neighbors is one of their prime considerations. Another lesson was the value of vigilant oversight of construction projects. Because of problems experienced with both the design and construction of the previous wastewater treatment system, the University has hired a new design engineering firm specializing in sustainable design to develop an overall integrated approach to water and wastewater on the site. This engineering firm works directly for the University. Based on their comprehensive analysis of all water sources, soils and wetlands, they are designing an entirely new wastewater treatment system. They are overseeing the construction and will be on -site fulltime through the start -up of operations. UNC will request permission to hire a separate Construction Manager at Risk to oversee construction of the buildings on the site, and we have also assigned one of the very best construction engineers on our staff to the project. Finally, we have learned the importance of communicating clearly and frequently to all those with a stake in the Bingham Facility, especially its neighbors and a wide range of governmental regulators. For many years, we operated very quietly at Bingham; largely to avoid publicity that might attract the interest of animal rights activists and other protesters. But this caution led to an unintended sense of secrecy that hampered relationships with our neighbors and even among our own staff. The recent change in leadership has opened the doors of communication to a healthy exchange of ideas and opinions both within and outside the University. The detailed responses to your specific questions follow, but in general the answer to the concerns you raise is that yes, we have had wastewater issues at Bingham and in addressing those problems, we are in the process of designing and constructing an even stronger, more sustainable project than originally envisioned. Sincerely, �)' � (P Av�m L_ . 'or William L. Roper, MD, MPH Dean, UNC School of Medicine Vice Chancellor for Medical Affairs CEO, UNC Health Care System 34