More Than First Impressions: Asset Preservation at Colleges and Universities Serves All Minnesotans
By Dr. Marsha Danielson, President
Minnesota State College Southeast
February 8, 2024
We are fast approaching the opening of the 2024 legislative session. Lawmakers bear the tremendous responsibility and challenge of addressing many competing needs within the context of limited funds. We owe them our gratitude for their hard work and their commitment.
For Minnesota State College Southeast, and all the colleges and universities of Minnesota State, the stakes are high. The outcome of the 2024 session and the disposition of our capital bonding request will directly impact the entire Southeast community - the places where faculty and staff prepare students as our future workforce.
In total, the academic buildings of the Minnesota State system encompass more than 22 million square feet. Facilities of this scale require a significant and ongoing investment to maintain.
Minnesota State is requesting $200 million in asset preservation funding to provide for nearly 100 campus projects that address some of the facilities' most basic needs, including updated roofs, windows, as well as efficient and effective mechanical and utility systems.
Asset preservation is among the most cost-effective and practical uses for our state's bonding dollars. Improving the state's building health and safety systems keeps them up to code. Energy efficiency and utility upgrades reduce on-campus energy and upkeep costs. By providing improvements that increase the longevity of our buildings, costly tear-down and replacement projects can be avoided in the years ahead.
Of particular note is the important role that asset preservation has on improving campus teaching and learning environments. By investing in existing buildings and properly maintaining them, we can give new life and new functionality to classrooms, labs, and student service centers. Asset preservation projects are often opportunities to bring dated facilities up to date with the latest educational technology, accessibility standards, and life/safety codes. This enhances the student experience and improves safety, security, and accessibility for the students, faculty, staff, and members of the community who use our buildings each day.
By improving the teaching and learning environment, asset preservation stands to enhance student outcomes. Without adequate asset preservation funding, colleges and universities often are forced to use campus operating funds for facility maintenance or repair, which directs funds away from student learning. Adequate funding of asset preservation keeps operating funds focused on student success.
Minnesota State is requesting $341.4 million for 15 major capital projects throughout the state that are focused on improving core academic learning spaces and student service spaces to better meet the needs of our students. Because these projects often involve demolition or renewal of existing facilities, they also have the effect of reducing the deferred maintenance backlog - an added benefit that translates into real savings.
We are excited that Minnesota State College Southeast is among Minnesota State's top 15 priorities. A $14.575 million capital improvement request for long-delayed renovation and renewal of our Winona campus includes plans to remodel 38,000 square feet to better serve our students in high demand programs and create easy to navigate student services spaces. We appreciate your support of this vital request!
The 26 colleges and seven universities of Minnesota State provide essential workforce skills for many sectors of the economy, and they are tremendous assets contributing to the economic, social, and cultural vibrancy of the communities they serve.
Minnesota State's capital request represents a critical investment in Southeast and the long-term vitality of our regional economy. Please join us in encouraging legislators to fund our bonding and asset preservation request.