Fiscal Year 2005 Higher Education Budget Recommendations: Capital Improvements

              Item #6b
February 3, 2004
STATE OF ILLINOIS
BOARD OF HIGHER EDUCATION
FISCAL YEAR 2005 HIGHER EDUCATION BUDGET RECOMMENDATIONS
CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS
The fiscal year 2005 recommendations for higher education capital improvements include
Regular Capital projects and Capital Renewal allocations for projects to protect and enhance the
state's current investment in higher education facilities at 12 public universities, 48 community
college campuses, and the Illinois Mathematics and Science Academy. A total of $341.6 million in
capital improvements is recommended, approximately $160,000 less than the Illinois Board of
Higher Education fiscal year 2004 recommendations.
The recommendations continue funding for Capital Renewal to address infrastructure
repair and maintenance requirements and upgrade academic and instructional space for colleges
and universities. Capital Renewal projects are generally of lesser size and scope than Regular
Capital projects and generally will reduce the backlog of deferred maintenance on college and
university campuses. These projects involve minor remodeling of facilities to repair buildings'
exteriors; to upgrade electrical, mechanical, roofing, and plumbing systems; and to address safety
and accessibility code requirements. Capital Renewal projects also involve remodeling of
classroom and laboratory areas for current educational and research program requirements.
The recommendations for Regular Capital provide funding for 30 projects, including
12 major remodeling projects designed to upgrade existing buildings and utility infrastructure to
meet current use and code requirements and to provide site improvements. Planning funds for
major renovation projects on four public university campuses are recommended, as are planning
funds for new facilities on two campuses. The Regular Capital recommendations include funds
for equipment to complete one renovated and expanded facility and one new facility on two
campuses. Funds to begin construction of one new facility on a public university campus are
included. Nine new community college facilities or additions to existing facilities are
recommended.
The fiscal year 2005 recommendations for higher education capital improvements total
$341.6 million from requests totaling $1.38 billion. Specific components of the
recommendations include:
􀂃􈌠 $40.0 million for Capital Renewal projects, including $27.9 million for public
universities and $12.1 million for community colleges. This represents a $10.0 million,
or 33 percent, increase over appropriations for this purpose in each of the last five years
in keeping with the Board’s priority of addressing deferred maintenance needs at all
colleges and universities.
􀂃􈌠 $301.6 million for Regular Capital projects, including $133.0 million for public
universities, $157.8 million for community colleges, and $10.8 million for the Illinois
Mathematics and Science Academy.