University of Minnesota, Morris
Campus Resources & Planning Committee Minutes

 October 20, 1997

Members present: Lowell Rasmussen, Alan Fierro, Jennifer Wright, Wade 
Bronson, Jeff Ratliff-Crain (acting chair), Karen Fischer, Jennifer Dose, 
Lynn Schulz, Chris Cole, Chris Wenner, Rod Oto .

Guests:  Sam Schuman.

Jeff Ratliff-Crain served as chair in Andy Lopez' absence.  The committee 
met to review the capital request proposal to be submitted to the Capital 
Improvements Advisory Council (CIAC).  It includes proposed spending for 
1998, 2000, and 2002.  The 1998 plan has been approved by the Regents and 
must now pass the legislature.  The 2000 and 2002 plans will be submitted 
to the CIAC in January 1998 pending CRPC endorsement. 

Lowell Rasmussen pointed out that the 28,200,000 figure being sought for 
the Science/Fitness/plant project includes 2.5 million for the Regional 
Fitness Center.  This figure must be matched by local funds.  If the 
referendum fails at the election on Tuesday, November 4th, the 2.5 
million must be removed from the capital request.

In each biennium, 0.5 million is sought for classroom improvement, which 
is vital to UMM's mission.  Other items in the 1998 request include 
funding for infrastructure, fire & life safety, ADA requirements, and 
repair & replacement expenses.

Concerning funding requested for 2000 and 2002, Rasmussen explained that 
if the Science Project gets funded, renewal must occur in the old 
facility.  This will come as no surprise to the legislature as it has 
been discussed since 1996.  Also, 2000 is a good time to plan renewal of 
the Community Services building since the occupants of the ground level 
of that building will be moving to the Science complex.  

Jennifer Dose asked whether the CIAC will wish to know the plans for the 
vacated space in Community Services before approving renewal funds.  
Rasmussen answered that they will wish to know if the space will be 
occupied by self-supporting units or academic program support units.  
Karen Fischer asked if the indoor air quality funds sought are responsive 
to complaints or codes.  Rasmussen responded that they are responsive to 
code standards which are constantly being upgraded.  Dose asked about 
rising cost discrepancies and Rasmussen assured her that, once approved, 
funds are subjected to completion-date inflation factoring.  

Camden is also slated for funds in 2000 and 2002.  Ratliff-Crain asked if 
the plan is to use Camden for housing and Rasmussen confirmed the 
possibility but insisited that renewal must occur to make the building 
usable for any purpose.  Rod Oto worried that making Camden a residence 
hall, which must be self-supporting (no state funds), would hamper 
attempts to get renewal funds.  Rasmussen assured him that renewal of 
Camden for any purpose is endorsed by the Master Plan and supports UMM's 
mission.  

Fischer wondered if the funds for classroom improvement are to come from 
Programmatic Area Renovation monies and Rasmussen explained that no, they 
are the result of a classroom study completed in the past few years which 
revealed a serious need for upgrading of UM classrooms.  

Ratliff-Crain asked when the legislature would decide on funding the 
Science Project and was told possibly late April.  Rasmussen and Sam 
Schuman added that the proposal had been approved by the university and 
the governor and now has to pass the house and the senate.  Schuman 
wondered what UMM's next building construction project might be.  
Rasmussen explained that retiring the bonding debt on the Science Project 
would take twenty years; meanwhile, private funding will be sought in 
conjunction with any new buildings.  HFA Phase 3, a performing arts 
auditorium, may be the next project UMM seeks, however far in the future.

Rasmussen requested that the CRPC meet again as soon as possible after 
the Nov. 4th elections to act on the capital request proposal.  Pending 
approval of the chair, a meeting is tentatively scheduled for 4 pm on 
Monday, November 10th, location TBA.