The 382,000 students who take courses each year from the 32 Minnesota State Colleges and Universities will benefit directly from the system’s bonding projects. By providing upto- date laboratories, classrooms and student services centers, the system enables students to focus on acquiring the skills and knowledge needed to succeed.

As stewards of these facilities, the system is responsible for maintaining the state’s investment in more than 25 millio square feet of buildings. Conserving natural resources through sustainable renovation and construction methods is a major emphasis.The projects follow established building design standards for energy efficiency, healthy air quality and use of recycled and “green” products where feasible.

In the past 10 years, the system has increased enrollment by 25 percent but added only about 10 percent of new square footage to its overall building space.That has been accomplished through renovation and better use of existing facilities by realigning space and adding technology and distance learning.

Building a Smarter Minnesota: 382,000 Reasons to Reinvest describes 37 projects in the system’s $350.2 million capital request to the 2008 Legislature.The highest priority is a request for $110 million in repair and replacement funds to replace 940,000 square feet of roofs, make electrical and mechanical improvements, and comply with accessibility, fire safety and health code requirements.

Colleges and universities continue to expand high-demand health care and science programs, and the system has instituted an ongoing series of laboratory renovations and expansions to help meet the need for graduates prepared in these fields. Several projects also focus on increasing the availability of support services – such as advising, counseling and tutoring – to help students succeed in college and graduate.

In keeping with the Board of Trustees policy for maintaining the campuses, more than 1.2 million square feet of buildings will be renovated or designed for future renovation in this budget; renovation extends a building’s useful life and contributes to the goal of sustainability in building management. Another 573,000 square feet will be new construction.

The projects will eliminate $204.9 million in deferred maintenance across the system when completed over the next four years as planned.