Campus Resources and Planning Committee
3 December, 2010

Present: Bart Finzel, Sara Haugen, LeAnn Dean, Andy Sharpe, Josh Preston, Sydney Sweep, Mark Privratsky, Margaret Kuchenreuther, Carol Marxen, Colleen Miller, Dave Swenson, Martin Seggelke, Dave Aronson

Guests: Sandy Olson-Loy, T.J. Ross, Jim Hall, Henry Fulda

Minutes from the November 12^th and November 19^th meetings were approved.

Presentation of Information re Library Renovation

Leann Dean presented a handout to explain the importance of renovations to Briggs Library in support of a capital request to renovate the building. The handout identifies several inadequacies in the space and support capabilities of the 1974 building. It also cited information that over 50% of students look at the library when picking a college..

Further discussion of the Green Prairie Living and Learning Community (GPLLC) residence hall plans

Mark Privratsky asked how much the plans will cost per year. Given the price estimate, Dean asked how the cost will be amortized. Sandy Olson-Loy said that there are 2 bonds allocated for the proposed residence hall: 1 for planning, 1 for construction. Because legislative funding doesn’t get paid per year, costs will be paid with student fees and summer revenues.

Bart Finzel said that the project will use $800,000 in ORL reserves and cost an additional $390,000 each year over 30 years. If this project is not pursued, what would ORL do with those resources?

Olson-Loy responded that something would need to be done with Blakely hall, since the recent improvements made were short term. The plan was to get more space with a new residence hall and take Blakely completely offline. In order to make Blakely operational, significant renovations upwards of $4-5 million would be necessary. Although it would cost less money, the outcome is less desirable.

Privratsky commented that Blakely should still be used for a different purpose if not for residential living. Dean asked if there was a study of what could be done with Blakely if it was not a residence hall. Andy Sharpe stated there was a committee to deal with the future purpose of Blakely? Olson-Loy said that Blakely might be expanded to become conference-related space, or may be Dining Hall-related.

Martin Seggelke asked if the GPLLC would be used for housing guests on campus, rather than hotels (if LaFave is already booked)? Olson-Loy replied that no, the need for students is more imminent, so it would only be for that purpose. Henry Fulda added that at UMD and UMC, student growth created a need to put students up in hotels, which caused the universities to lose money/use resources, and now they’re looking at limiting the returning students in the residence halls. Olson-Loy said that, from a retention angle, we want to house students on campus.

Privratsky asked how many students who want to stay on campus get rejected. Olson-Loy said the number is uncertain, but the only single rooms this year were given to those who need disability/academic accommodation. T.J. Ross said that this year, they didn’t have to turn anyone away—just from Independence and Gay Hall.

Finzel asked for a timeline of the construction project. Olson-Loy referenced the handouts, and said that ideally, construction would begin next fall if there’s good enrollment numbers, etc. The GPLLC would potentially open in Fall 2013.

Finzel asked if a member would like to make a motion to address the presentation. Swenson motioned, Sharpe seconded “CRPC supports the GPLLC proposal.” Motion passed.

Budget Process Overview by Colleen Miller

Miller presented a packet of materials to the committee regarding the budget process. She talked about a broad view of U of M budget processes and the time line for information and decision-making. . In early March 2011 at a compact meeting, UMM will present its budget for fiscal year 2012.

CRPC’s role will be to make policy recommendations to be incorporated into the compact meeting preparation (when the budget will be presented in the Twin Cities). CRPC will make recommendations regarding setting numbers for student enrollment, tuition & U fees, and financial aid estimates, as well as planning for the state funding reduction.