Posted: April 13, 2005
Contact: Doug Anderson, doug.anderson@MinnState.edu, 651-201-1426
Building and remodeling projects at nearly all 53 campuses in the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities system are set to begin now that Gov. Tim Pawlenty has signed the bonding bill.
The $213.6 million appropriation includes funding for all of the projects requested by the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities Board of Trustees.
"We are very pleased that the Legislature has passed and Governor Pawlenty has signed a bonding bill that will benefit students at colleges and universities across the state," said Chancellor James H. McCormick.
"We appreciate the leadership shown by the governor and legislative leaders in forging agreement on this important bill, and we are gratified that the final bill respects the priorities set by our Board of Trustees.
"These funds will pay for repairing roofs and mechanical systems, making technology improvements to classrooms and expanding our capacity to educate health care professionals in up-to-date science labs," McCormick said.Gov. Pawlenty was scheduled to visit St. Cloud Technical College and Minnesota State University Moorhead today to celebrate the signing of the bonding bill. St. Cloud Technical College will receive $15 million for a classroom addition and workforce center renovation, and Minnesota State University Moorhead will receive $11 million for renovation of two campus buildings.
The appropriation includes $41.5 million for repairs and safety improvements to roofs and mechanical and electrical systems at colleges and universities throughout the system and nearly $11 million to renovate and upgrade science, workforce and technology classrooms.
Twenty-five other capital improvement projects that were funded include completion of science buildings at Minnesota State University Moorhead and Winona State University, a classroom and student services addition at Lake Superior College in Duluth, a classroom addition and workforce center at St. Cloud Technical College and numerous other laboratory and classroom additions and renovations.
The Board of Trustees sets priorities for funding capital improvement projects after a lengthy process that involves consulting with technical experts and various constituencies and holding public hearings.
