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Glossary

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Measure HH & Capital Project Glossary

  • Measure HH
    The San Diego Community College District’s voter-approved general obligation bond program supporting campus improvements districtwide.
  • CBOC (Citizens’ Bond Oversight Committee) 
    An independent committee of community members that reviews bond expenditures and reports on whether funds are used as approved by voters. 
  • General Obligation Bond (GO Bond) 
    A bond repaid through property taxes, used to fund large public infrastructure projects. 
  • Bond Proceeds 
    Funds generated by the sale of bonds. 
  • Programming
    The early planning phase where project goals, space needs, and functional requirements are identified before design begins. 
  • User Group / Stakeholder Group 
    Faculty, staff, and students who will use a space and provide input during programming and design. 
  • Program of Requirements (POR)
    A document outlining space needs, functions, adjacencies, and performance criteria for a project.
  • Needs Assessment
    An evaluation of existing conditions and future needs used to inform programming decisions.
  • Adjacency Diagram
    A visual tool showing how spaces should relate to one another.
  • Space Program
    A list and size breakdown of rooms and spaces required for a project.
  • Schematic Design (SD)
    The first design phase where ideas become early layouts, diagrams, and concepts showing overall organization and intent.
  • Design Development (DD)
    The phase where schematic concepts are refined, systems are coordinated, and materials and layouts are further defined.
  • Construction Documents (CDs)
    Detailed drawings and specifications used for permitting, bidding, and construction.
  • Design Team
    The architect and consulting engineers (structural, mechanical, electrical, civil, etc.) working on a project.
  • Architect of Record (AOR)
    The firm legally responsible for the architectural design and construction documents.
  • Visioning
    Collaborative sessions used to align project goals, values, and priorities early in design.
  • Design Safari
    A site visit to other campuses or facilities to gather ideas and inspiration.
  • Benchmarking
    Comparing similar projects to inform design, cost, or operational decisions.
  • Envelope (Building Envelope)
    The exterior “shell” of a building—including walls, roof, windows, and doors—that separates the inside from the outside and controls temperature, moisture, and energy efficiency. 
  • Value Engineering (VE)
    A systematic process used during design to optimize cost and performance—finding ways to maintain function and quality while reducing unnecessary expenses. 
  • MEP – Mechanical, Electrical, and Plumbing
    MEP refers to the three major engineering disciplines involved in building design and construction. These systems are essential to making a building functional and habitable: 
    • Mechanical – Includes HVAC (heating, ventilation, and air conditioning) systems that control climate, air quality, and ventilation. 
    • Electrical – Covers power distribution, lighting, emergency systems, and low-voltage systems like data and communications. 
    • Plumbing – Encompasses water supply, drainage, waste, and gas piping systems. 
  • MEPFS - Mechanical, Electrical, Plumbing, and Fire Sprinklers
    MEPFS expands on MEP by adding a fourth discipline:
    • Fire Sprinklers - The fire suppression system, including sprinkler heads, piping, water supply, and control valves designed to detect and suppress fires automatically.
  • Construction Phase
    The period when approved plans are built on site.
  • Mobilization
    Early construction activities such as site setup, fencing, and temporary utilities.
  • Demolition (Demo)
    Removal of existing building elements to prepare for new construction.
  • Interior Demolition
    Removal of interior walls, ceilings, flooring, or systems.
  • Excavation
    Earthwork to prepare foundations or underground utilities.
  • Footings
    Concrete elements that transfer building loads to the ground.
  • CMU (Concrete Masonry Unit)
    Concrete blocks commonly used for structural or non-structural walls.
  • Over-Excavation (Over-Ex)
    Removal of unsuitable soil beyond planned excavation depth.
  • Recompaction
    Replacing and compacting soil to meet structural requirements.
  • Grading
    Shaping and leveling the ground surface.
  • Utility Infrastructure
    Underground systems such as water, sewer, electrical, and communications.
  • Storefront System
    A non-structural exterior wall system, often glass and metal, used at building entrances.
  • Swing Space
    Temporary space (classrooms, offices, labs, etc.) used to house programs and operations displaced by construction or renovation, ensuring continuity of services until permanent space is available.
  • Geopiers (Rammed Aggregate Piers)
    Ground improvement elements made by compacting layers of crushed stone into drilled holes to strengthen weak soil. They increase load-bearing capacity, reduce settlement, and improve stability for foundations—often used as a cost-effective alternative to deep foundations.
  • Geotechnical Borings (Soil Borings)
    Holes drilled into the ground to collect soil and rock samples and measure subsurface conditions. Engineers use the data from these borings to evaluate soil strength, groundwater levels, and other factors that inform foundation design and overall site stability.
  • Geogrid
    A synthetic mesh material placed in soil to reinforce and stabilize it. It helps distribute loads more evenly, making it useful under roads, foundations, and retaining walls.
  • Post-Tensioning
    A method of reinforcing concrete using high-strength steel cables that are stretched after the concrete hardens. This adds strength, reduces cracking, and allows for longer spans with less material.
  • Shotcrete
    Concrete that is sprayed through a hose at high velocity onto surfaces like walls or slopes. It’s commonly used for retaining walls, tunnels, and irregular shapes where traditional pouring is difficult.
  • Mass Timber
    A category of engineered wood products (like cross-laminated timber) used for structural building components. It’s strong, sustainable, and increasingly used as an alternative to steel and concrete.
  • Vibration Monitoring
    The process of measuring ground or structural vibrations during construction to ensure nearby buildings and utilities aren’t damaged—especially important in dense campus environments.
  • Prefabrication (Prefab)
    Building components manufactured off-site in a controlled environment and then transported for assembly. This can improve quality, reduce waste, and speed up construction.
  • Pull Planning 
    A construction and design scheduling method in which all key project stakeholders collaborate to identify major milestones and work backward to define the tasks, dependencies, and handoffs required to meet them. During design, this involves the architects, engineers, and designers; during construction, it involves the prime contractor and all subcontractors. This approach ensures every party understands what they need to deliver, and what they need from others, to keep the project on track. 
  • PMO (Program Management Organization)
    A firm that supports the district in managing multiple bond projects.
  • Project Manager (PM)
    Responsible for day-to-day coordination, schedule, and budget oversight.
  • Superintendent
    The contractor’s on-site lead responsible for construction activities and safety.
  • General Contractor (GC)
    The firm responsible for constructing the project.
  • Design-Bid-Build
    A traditional project delivery method where design is completed before construction is bid.
  • Design-Build
    A delivery method where design and construction are contracted together.
  • GMP (Guaranteed Maximum Price)
    The maximum amount the owner agrees to pay for construction.
  • Change Order
    A formal modification to the construction contract affecting scope, cost, or schedule.
  • Contingency
    Funds set aside to address unforeseen conditions.
  • Phasing
    Breaking a project into stages to manage schedule or campus operations.
  • Schedule Milestone
    A key project benchmark, such as start of construction or substantial completion.
  • ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act)
    Federal law requiring accessible facilities.
  • Title II / Section 504
    Federal regulations governing accessibility and non-discrimination for public entities.
  • DSA (Division of the State Architect)
    California agency responsible for reviewing and approving plans for public school and college facilities.
  • CEQA (California Environmental Quality Act)
    Law requiring evaluation of environmental impacts.
  • Sustainability
    Design strategies that reduce environmental impact and operating costs.
  • LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design)
    A green building certification system.
  • Linear Generators
    Devices that convert motion in a straight line (rather than rotation) directly into electrical energy using electromagnetic induction. In facilities, they’re often used for efficient, compact power generation systems with fewer moving parts and lower maintenance needs compared to traditional generators.
  • Low Impact Development (LID)
    A stormwater management approach that mimics natural systems—using features like permeable paving, bioswales, and rain gardens to reduce runoff and improve water quality. 
  • Commissioning (Cx)
    A quality assurance process that verifies building systems (like HVAC, lighting, and safety systems) are designed, installed, and functioning as intended before occupancy. 
  • OAC (Owner–Architect–Contractor) Meeting
    A recurring coordination meeting between the district (owner), architect, and contractor to review progress, schedules, coordination issues, and next steps during design and construction.
  • Stakeholder Workshop
    A structured meeting with campus stakeholders, sometimes called “end users,” designed to collect input, test ideas, and build alignment during programming or design.
  • Programming Workshop
    Focused meetings held early in a project to define space needs, adjacencies, and functional requirements.
  • Visioning Session
    Collaborative discussions used to establish shared goals, values, and priorities for a project.
  • Design Charrette
    An intensive, often multi-day workshop where designers and stakeholders work through concepts together.
  • Constructability Review Meeting
    A session where contractors review design documents to identify potential construction challenges before work begins.
  • Cost Reconciliation Meeting
    Meetings to align estimated design costs with available budgets and identify adjustments if needed.
  • Value Engineering (VE) Workshop
    A structured review of design elements to manage costs while maintaining project intent and performance.
  • Pre-Construction Meeting
    A formal meeting held before construction starts to review scope, schedule, safety, and communication protocols.
  • Pre-Bid Meeting
    A meeting held with prospective bidders to review project requirements and answer questions before bids are submitted.
  • Job Walk / Site Walk
    An on-site visit for bidders, stakeholders, or oversight bodies to view existing conditions or construction progress.
  • Punch List Meeting
    A meeting held near project completion to review remaining items needing correction or completion.
  • Closeout Meeting
    A final meeting to confirm documentation, warranties, training, and project completion.
  • DBE – Design-Build Entity
  • EIR – Environmental Impact Report
  • SBA – Small Business Association
  • MBE – Minority Business Enterprise
  • DVBE – Disadvantaged Business Enterprise
  • WBE – Women-Owned Business Enterprise
  • PV – Photovoltaic
  • ECM – Executive Construction Manager
  • ADA – Assistant District Architect

 

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