January 29, 2003

Minnesota State Colleges and Universities Prepare Bonding Request

Contact: Linda Kohl, Public Affairs, (651) 296-9595, or Nancy Conner, (651) 296-0541

The Minnesota State Colleges and Universities Board of Trustees has authorized Chancellor James H. McCormick to ask the 2003 Legislature to approve bonding funds for needed repair, renovation and construction projects that were vetoed in the 2002 session.

The Minnesota State Colleges and Universities capital budget request to the 2002 Legislature was for $268.4 million for 26 projects. The projects were submitted in priority order, based on criteria approved by the system's Board of Trustees. The 2002 Legislature approved all 26 capital projects on the system's priority list, but Gov. Jesse Ventura vetoed 17 projects.

It is unclear whether the Legislature will act on bonding projects this session. If there is an opportunity for the Legislature to consider bonding projects, the system is prepared to submit a capital budget request totaling $109.6 million.

The request would seek to restore funding for the 17 vetoed projects, plus an adjustment for inflation. The request also would seek to restore $45 million in funds for the board's top priority - repair and renewal of existing facilities.

Funding of this request will benefit every campus in the system. An investment in repairs and construction on campuses will pay the state dividends in three ways: preventing further deterioration of state-owned buildings, putting people to work and enhancing the campuses' ability to educate people for the workforce. Jobs will be created immediately in many of the 46 communities where campuses are located. Many of the projects are ready to be implemented immediately.

Bonding request summary Board priority ranking:
1	Repair and replacement projects	$45.0 million
9	Systemwide land acquisition	13.5 million
10	Bemidji State University/ Northwest Technical College co-location design	1.0 million
11	Northwest Technical College, Moorhead, health and technology addition and remodel design	400,000
12	St. Cloud State University classroom renovations, phase 1	10.3 million
13	MSU, Mankato, athletic facility, phase 3	8.7 million
14	Southwest State University library remodel	9.5 million
15	Hennepin Technical College remodel	2.1 million
16	Mesabi Range Community & Technical College, Virginia, science lab, classroom, Learning Resource Center remodel	5.7 million
17	Lake Superior Community & Technical College academic addition design	700,000
18	MSC - Southeast Technical student services remodel	580,000
19	Dakota County Technical College information technology and telecommunications remodel design	500,000
20	St. Cloud Technical College classroom and lab addition, workforce center remodel design	700,000
21	Ridgewater Community & Technical College science lab remodel	3.0 million
23	South Central College teaching laboratories remodel design	300,000
24	Fergus Falls Community College student services addition design	760,000
25	Minnesota West Community & Technical College, Worthington, science lab and nursing remodel	6.5 million
26	Inver Hills Community College, student services addition design	500,000
	Total request	$109.6 million

For more detail on the individual projects, see Constructing Opportunity, the system's 2002 capital budget request publication.