Q1: How much will the project cost?
The project budget is $226 million, which will be funded through private donations and Athletic Department resources, primarily revenues generated by the new seating.

Q2: What is the project timeline? Will construction affect the football seasons or University commencement?
We anticipate construction will begin at the end of the 2007 football season. The project will be phased to accommodate the 2008 and 2009 football seasons so that our home football games can continue to be played in Michigan Stadium and the University can host commencement ceremonies there. We anticipate the project will be completed by August 2010.

Q3: I am interested in making a donation for premium seating and/or a gift for the stadium renovation. Who should I contact to discuss these opportunities?
The Athletic Development office, also known as the Victors Club, is responsible for raising funds for the stadium project. If you are interested in supporting this effort to renovate and preserve Michigan Stadium, please contact the Victors Club office by phone at 734-764-7131 or by e-mail at mvictors@umich.edu.

Q4: What are the tax benefits associated with donations that qualify for premium seats (suites, club seats and west-side chairbacks)?
IRS rules allow for a charitable deduction for qualifying donations associated with University-sponsored athletic events. The tax code provides for an 80 percent charitable deduction for gifts associated with premium seating at college events. Consult your tax adviser regarding your situation.

Q5: If demand for premium seating exceeds the number of suites, club seats or chairbacks available, how will the Athletic Department determine eligibility?
The priority point program will determine eligibility for premium seats. All applicants will be ranked by their priority point total on December 31, 2008. If applications exceed available premium seating, a point cutoff will be determined. Those below the cutoff will be offered an alternative type of premium seating if all other areas are not fully subscribed.

Q6: How will location assignments for suites, club seats and the west-side chairbacks be determined?
The priority point program will be used to assign all premium seat locations. The initial zone assignments will be made in 2008 using priority points accumulated by December 31, 2008. The final suite and seat selections will be made in 2009 using priority points accumulated by July 15, 2009.

Q7: Can a group of people join together to acquire a suite?
Yes. A group can purchase a single suite. However, it is limited to three individuals or entities per each suite agreement to help with administration and customer service. The highest individual point total within the group will be used to determine availability and assign zone preferences and suite locations.

Q8: Can a group of people request a block of seats in the club sections or west side chairback seats?
Yes. The stadium project creates a new opportunity to group tickets together. We seldom have large blocks of tickets available after renewals. Therefore, it is challenging to accommodate groups in a contiguous block within the existing stadium. The new seats offer a chance to assign adjacent seats for those requesting and qualifying for club or west side chairback seats. If you desire to sit with others applying for these seats, please note the “sit with” request. Your priority point totals will be averaged to determine your ranking for assignments.

Q9: How will game-day parking be handled for suite patrons?
Each suite will receive four game-day parking permits. Permits will be for parking in close proximity to the primary entrances for the suites.

Q10: Will game-day parking be available for club seat and westside chairback patrons?
Game-day parking permits will be available for purchase by those who contribute $1,500 or more annually to the Victors Club. Donations for club seats and west chairbacks qualify as a Victors Club donation, so any annual donation of $1,500 or more qualifies the donor to purchase a parking permit. Location of parking will be based upon the priority point program.

Q11: What type of food and beverage service will be available for suite patrons?
The suites will have catered food and beverage service, which will be arranged through the stadium concessionaire, ordered from a menu and purchased by each suite holder. The food and beverages will be high quality and similar to other premium seating venues. The University will maintain an alcohol-free environment in the premium seating areas while continuing to encourage the tradition of tailgating in designated areas outside the stadium.

Q12: What type of food and beverage service will be available for club patrons?
The club levels will have concession areas offering upscale food and beverage services on a pay-per-item basis. The University will continue to maintain Michigan Stadium, including club levels, as an alcohol-free environment.

Q13: Will beverage alcohol be available for premium seating patrons?
No. Michigan Stadium, including all premium seating areas, will be an alcohol-free environment.

Q14: I already have football season tickets in the existing bowl. Can I access the stadium club?
No. Season tickets in the existing stadium and the new west-side chairback seats do not qualify for access to the new stadium club. Access is limited to those with a club season ticket location because of the club capacity.

Q15: I already have football season tickets in the existing bowl and plan to purchase club seats. Will I be able to invite those attending the game on my regular season tickets to the new stadium club?
No. The stadium club levels are sized to serve only those patrons with ticket access. Fans who enter these levels must have a ticket that specifies a section, row and seat number in the club areas.

Q16: I already have season tickets but plan to purchase premium seating. Will I be allowed to keep my current season tickets?
Yes. Season ticket holders can maintain their current tickets by renewing any applicable preferred seat donation and purchasing the tickets. If you acquire premium seating, you are not required to forfeit season ticket locations within the existing bowl.

Q17: Are there any limitations on the number of premium seats I can purchase?
No. Unlike with regular season tickets, the quantity of premium season tickets a donor can purchase is unlimited.

Q18: If I purchase premium seating, will I have access to away game and bowl tickets?
Tickets for off-campus venues such as away games and bowl games are allocated using the priority point program. Availability, quantities and location assignments are adjusted based on ticket allotments and demand, which vary with each away or bowl game. Premium seating does not guarantee ticket availability for off-campus events. A request can be filled if a Victors Club member has sufficient priority points. Donations for premium seating qualify for Victors Club membership and priority points.

Q19: For how many years may a suite be reserved at a specific location after assignments are made using the priority point program?
The suites will be reserved for terms of three-, five- or seven years. Location changes will be based upon availability and determined by the priority point program.

Q20: For how many years may club seats or west side chairbacks be reserved at a specific location after assignments are made using the priority point program?
The club seats and west side chairbacks will be renewed annually, similar to season ticket locations within the existing bowl. Each year the required annual donation and purchase of the season ticket will reserve the location for the upcoming football season. Future location changes will be based upon availability, Victors Club annual donation and the priority point program.

Q21: What will the new capacity be once the project is completed?
The current seating capacity of the stadium is 107,501. The expansion will add 80+ suites and 3,000+ club seats. Though widening seats and aisles and adding seating for mobility impaired fans will result in the loss of some seats, the stadium capacity is projected to exceed 108,000 when the project is completed.

Q22: Do you plan to widen seats? How much wider will they be?
Almost all seats in the bowl will be widened. Ticket holders will gain between a quarter inch and just over an inch in each seat, depending on location. Seats along the sidelines will gain the most width because of the shape of the bowl. When the project is completed, seat widths will range from just over 16 inches in the student section to just under 18 inches along the sidelines near the top of the bowl.

Q23: What will happen to my seats if you widen the aisles? Will I be moved to an equivalent location?
In preparation for the project, we have maintained individual game ticket inventory throughout the stadium. This inventory has not been converted to season tickets to allow for flexibility when aisles are widened. Though we do not have a seating manifest that shows the new configuration with wider aisles and seats at this time, our goal is to minimize any significant dislocation.

Q24: Would an outright donation help with the selection of premium seats?
Yes. Donations received for the stadium project, other capital projects, athletic scholarship fund, endowments, etc. will accumulate priority points and factor into the selection of seat and suite locations.

Q25: How do I donate to the stadium project?
Please call the Victors Club office at 734-764-7131 to discuss making a donation. A capital contribution is documented with a gift agreement or pledge card and can be fulfilled over a five-year period with annual pledge payments. A Victors Club representative can help determine the best arrangements to meet your goals for supporting the stadium project.

Q26: When do I have to submit a commitment letter for the new premium seating in Michigan Stadium?
Submissions with reservation deposits received by July 31, 2008 are given 50 bonus priority points.

Q27: How long do I have to make extra donations to increase my priority point status for the selection of zone assignments?
Priority points accumulated by December 31, 2008 will be used for the zone assignment of premium seating.

Q28: What's the deadline for submitting a commitment letter for premium seating?
Submit your commitment letter by December 31, 2008.