A proposed budget bill in the state legislature could initiate significant changes at UW.
The bill is a supplement to last session’s two-year budget. Multiple funding necessities are being addressed; however, as written, the bill would allocate over $70 million to UW projects.
“It’s a lot of money no matter where you are,” Senator Phil Nicholas (R-Albany) said. “But if we did not do the supplemental budget, a lot of agencies, including UW, would see a decrease in revenues.”
The university initiatives include renovation and construction of Corbett Pool, a science initiative facility, an unconventional gas production research facility and a new athletic training building.
Over $30 million would fund one-third of the science initiative, making it the largest use of the potential money allocated to UW.
The facility would change the way research and education is conducted at UW, Chris Boswell, UW vice president for governmental and community affairs, said. Instead of lecture halls, students would be taught in interactive, 5,000-square-foot classrooms.
“It presents an exciting opportunity for undergraduate and graduate students and faculty,” Boswell said. “It’s a bold plan to enhance research and teaching opportunities in the sciences.”
Research opportunities would be improved for undergraduates, graduates and faculty, he said, adding that this will make students more marketable to employers.
Although supplemental budget bills are expected and occur every other year, Boswell said there was a lack of funding for the bill this year. Some years the legislature has an excess of funds for the budget; however, the state had a deficit of $200 million this year due to declining natural gas prices.
“We filled the hole with natural gas revenues and money in the rainy day account,” Nicholas said. “Long term if we had to do that we would have an issue.”
It is likely the science initiative and unconventional gas production research facility will receive desired funding because the projects have been “in the works” for several years, Nicholas said. Even so concerns among legislators have arisen over whether it is appropriate to fund the projects at the proposed costs due to the state’s current financial situation, Boswell said.
Seeing a prototype of the UW plans, specifically the science initiative, at another institution may help legislators understand the value in them, Senator Michael Madden (R-Johnson/Sheridan) said.
“The extreme costs of converting teaching and research involving smaller rooms, the technology requirements and the added space is not something that typical legislator can get their arms around so to speak,” Madden said.
The budget bill is divided into two “mirror bills,” Boswell said, meaning two similar budget bills are being discussed in both the Senate and House. If the bills pass on the third reading, which is taking place today in both houses, the differences will be compromised in a joint conference committee.
The final version of the budget takes effect upon being signed by Gov. Matt Mead in early March.
