Governor Dayton’s bonding recommendations support U of M, future of MN

University of Minnesota President Eric Kaler responded to Governor Mark Dayton’s bonding bill proposal released today:

“I am grateful for Governor Mark Dayton’s strong support for the University of Minnesota. By recommending investment in the University, the Governor demonstrates his ongoing commitment to advancing the economic and social vitality of Minnesota.

“I look forward to continued partnership with the Minnesota Legislature in 2017. This session, I urge our legislators to support Minnesota’s students and families, invest in our state’s facilities and infrastructure, enhance our economy and keep our state at the forefront of emerging knowledge.

“The University’s needs are great and urgent, as are the needs of many communities across the state. Our Legislature has the opportunity to invest in those critical projects.”

The University’s 2017 capital investment request includes seven priority projects that will renovate facilities and provide students access to 21st century learning tools. Governor Dayton’s recommendation provides $154.7 million in funding for four projects:

1. $55 million in funding for the University’s Higher Education Asset Preservation and Replacement (HEAPR) request. HEAPR funding is the University’s top priority request in the 2017 bonding bill. The funding will maximize the effectiveness and life of the University of Minnesota's 29 million square feet of infrastructure.

2. $28.3 million in funding for the Chemistry and Advanced Materials Science Building, a 51,000-square-foot science and engineering building on the U of M Duluth campus. The facility will include flexible wet and dry labs, modern utilities, environmental controls and safety accommodations to support all STEM programs at U of M Duluth, creating rich learning opportunities that the UMD’s current chemistry building (almost 70 years old) is not able to support. The University will invest $14.1 million for this project.

3. $67 million in funding to create a new Health Sciences Education Center for the University’s Academic Health Center on the Twin Cities campus to support interdisciplinary team-based learning and care. The project will replace more than 100,000 square feet of outdated facilities that do not support the fundamental changes under way in the education and training of today’s health care professionals. The University will invest $33.4 million for this project.

4. $4.4 million in funding to build a Plant Growth Research Facility on the Twin Cities campus to protect the University's rare-plants collection and provide hands-on learning opportunities for Minnesota's future plant geneticists, growers, and agriculture and environmental scientists. The current facility, built in 1974, is deteriorating and does not provide appropriate space for the critical hands-on research and teaching. The University will invest $2.2 million for this project.

Find out more about the University’s 2017 legislative request at government-relations.umn.edu.