University of Minnesota calls for state investment in projects critical to student success, workforce development and patient care at Day at the Capitol

On Tuesday, February 24, University of Minnesota students from all five campuses, faculty, staff and alumni gathered at the State Capitol to advocate for the University’s 2026 legislative request at University of Minnesota Day at the Capitol.

The University is calling for investment in three capital projects — essential to deliver world‑class teaching and research that builds Minnesota’s future and advances the University’s land-grant mission. These investments will position the University to attract and retain top students, faculty and staff — and keep the University facilities vibrant, future‑ready places to learn and work.

“The capital request supports projects that are crucial for delivering the world-class teaching, learning, research and scholarship that power the state's economy and communities throughout Minnesota,” said University of Minnesota President Rebecca Cunningham. “As a responsible steward of the state's investments, these projects will prepare students for Minnesota’s future workforce, advance our land-grant mission and attract and retain top students, faculty and staff as we continue to secure our place as a world-class public university.”

University students, together with University faculty, staff, alumni and senior leaders, met with elected officials about the need for state funding of three capital investment projects. These projects support the research, innovation, teaching and learning that will equip Minnesota’s future workforce and sustain our state’s economic vitality — benefits that reach every community across Minnesota.

“As a student-athlete and student leader, I believe that prioritizing and investing in safe, modern and reliable campus buildings is crucial for the success of my fellow students and me,” said University of Minnesota Crookston Student Association President Evelyn Dupont. “These facilities are essential for enriching our learning experience as we complete our education and prepare for successful careers in the workforce.”

“As Minnesota’s only land-grant research institution, the University of Minnesota’s success ensures the success of Minnesota,” Board of Regents Chair Doug Huebsch said. “Strategic investment in the University’s future ensures our mission can continue to drive impact in all 87 Minnesota counties.”

The University’s $284 million request for capital funds during the 2026 legislative session includes:

• Higher Education Asset Preservation & Replacement (HEAPR) – $100 million from the state to fund critical facility renewal projects. HEAPR funding was created in 1994 by the Minnesota Legislature to recognize the uniqueness and complexity of the buildings and properties owned by the University of Minnesota and Minnesota State. 

  The University routinely seeks HEAPR funding from the Legislature because it is the most cost-effective way to protect and extend the life of facilities already funded by taxpayers, students and donors. Safe, modern buildings are essential to delivering the education and research students expect and deserve. However, unpredictable state investment has left nearly one-third of the University’s roughly 33 million square feet of facilities statewide in poor or critical condition. 

• New St. Paul Campus Center – $84 million from the state to replace the existing St. Paul Student Center and Magrath Library buildings with a highly visible campus destination. A state investment would support student success, spark interdisciplinary innovation and energize the entire St. Paul campus with a state‑of‑the‑art student center and future‑ready campus library – serving as the heart of the campus and fostering cross‑discipline collaboration through integrated meeting and event spaces, study areas, student health services and refreshed dining amenities. 

  The St. Paul campus is a powerhouse for the state’s strength in agriculture, food systems, veterinary medicine, environmental science and applied research. Modernizing the St. Paul campus is essential to keep Minnesota at the forefront of discovery, support all of Minnesota’s 87 counties and prepare the state’s future workforce. The University would contribute an additional $42 million to the project.

• Dentistry Clinical Renovation – $100 million from the state to partially renovate Moos Tower, creating modern clinical spaces to enhance teaching and patient care for the School of Dentistry, the state’s only dental school. With a widening workforce gap and rising demand for oral care, modernizing Moos Tower is critical to strengthening the education of healthcare professionals, expanding access to patients and communities across the state, and ensuring Minnesota remains competitive. 

  While technology and teaching methods have evolved, the training space in Moos Tower has not. These upgrades will boost clinical efficiency, support innovative team‑based care that reflects real-world experiences, and equip students, faculty and providers to meet Minnesota’s evolving oral health needs for decades to come. The University would contribute an additional $50 million to the project.

In addition to meetings with legislators, University of Minnesota students, faculty and staff provided a systemwide showcase of the University’s Capital Request in the Rotunda, highlighting student and faculty personal experiences related to critical building needs.