Date: 11/29/2007
Final
Auraria Higher Education Center FY 2008-09 Requests
COMMITTEE ON CAPITAL DEVELOPMENT
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10:21 AM
The committee returned to order.
10:21 AM -- Auraria Higher Education Center FY 2008-09 Requests
Mr. Dean Wolf, Executive Vice-President for Administration, Auraria Higher Education Center; Dr. M. Roy Wilson, Chancellor, University of Colorado Denver; Ms. Barbara McDonnell, Interim President, Community College of Denver; and Dr. Stephen Jordan, President, Metropolitan State College of Denver, presented two FY 2008-09 capital construction requests: (1) the Science Building and Renovation project; and (2) the South Classroom Addition and Renovation project. Committee members received an outline of Auraria Higher Education Center's presentation, prepared by Auraria (Attachment D). Mr. Wolf provided background on the Auraria campus and its capital construction needs. Mr. Wolf then provided an overview of the Science Building Addition and Renovation project, and described the need for the project. Mr. Wolf discussed the campus's cash contribution to the project, and the use of student fees for other capital construction projects on the Auraria campus. Mr. Wolf responded to questions regarding the capital construction student fee rate per semester.
10:31 AM
Mr. Wolf explained the potential impact of funding the Science Building project in FY 2008-09 at a rate lower than that requested by the campus, as recommended by OSPB. Ms. McDonnell discussed the need for the Science Building project, and described the impact of a space deficit at Auraria. Dr. Jordan discussed the importance of the project to the Auraria campus and the state, and explained the burdens being placed on Auraria's current science facilities. Committee members received an article from the Auraria campus newspaper, the Metropolitan, regarding proposed funding cuts for the Science Building project (Attachment E). Dr. Jordan also discussed the deficiencies in the campus's existing science facilities, and discussed the demographics represented in Auraria's science programs.
10:41 AM
Dr. Wilson discussed the functional efficiency of the Auraria campus, and reiterated the importance of funding the Science Building project. Discussion ensued regarding the impact of providing the full amount of state funds requested by Auraria for the Science Building project in FY 2008-09 on other capital construction projects, as well as other state budget priorities. Dr. Wilson responded to questions regarding lobbying efforts by the University of Colorado Denver on behalf of funding the Science Building project, and the university's interest in the project.
10:54 AM
Discussion ensued regarding the level of revenue available for capital construction in FY 2008-09 and in future years, and the importance of funding higher education. Discussion followed regarding the need for appropriate academic and program space at higher education institutions, and the need to educate the public on the state's higher education needs.
11:02 AM
Mr. Wolf provided an overview of the South Classroom Addition and Renovation project, explained the need for the project, and discussed the burdens currently being placed on the South Classroom. Ms. McDonnell discussed student demographics at Auraria, and described the deficiencies in the South Classroom.