Governor Steve Beshear, joined a group of legislative leaders and state university presidents, to announce a plan to approve the issuance of bonds by Kentucky’s public universities for campus improvements supported by university revenues.
These agency bonds will be issued by the individual universities over the coming months, and will allow the schools to fund critical renovation or construction projects at no cost to Kentucky taxpayers.
Murray State will receive $9.9 million for Hester College dormitory renovations, $590,000 for College Courts housing sprinkler system upgrade and $ 4.9 million for assorted facility improvements.
Beshear and the lawmakers plan to authorize $363.3 million in agency bonds, which will have an estimated economic impact of nearly $623 million and support 5,110 jobs. A bill will be filed soon to authorize the bonds.
“Agency bonds will meet the growing needs of our universities with no impact on the General Fund, as they will be paid for through existing revenue streams such as student fees and athletic revenues,” Beshear said. “I appreciate the universities’ continued good stewardship during these tough economic times. At a time when we are pushing our students to pursue higher education, it’s imperative that they have adequate classrooms, housing and facilities, and the issuance of these bonds will accelerate those projects to meet those needs quickly.”
General Fund support for the universities has been cut 15 percent over the last three biennial budgets. Universities need the authority to utilize other revenues to maximize student opportunities, including needed facilities that may be built or improved without general fund revenues from the state. The bonds were proposed in the last legislative session but were not authorized. No new fees are proposed to support the bonds.
Kentucky’s eight university presidents are united in support of the plan, noting that accelerating these long-delayed projects will save money in construction costs and avoid additional cost burdens for students.
Council on Postsecondary Education President Bob King, said the Council on Postsecondary Education and Kentucky’s public universities are very grateful for the support of the Governor and legislative leaders for the projects.
“We also appreciate the confidence this action expresses in the judgment and leadership our campus presidents demonstrate in meeting the needs of our students, faculty and staff,” King said.
The proposal includes 11 construction projects at six institutions that are ready to be financed and will move forward as soon as authorization is given by the General Assembly. Several projects will address outdated or inadequate student housing; others will improve existing classroom spaces. University presidents said these projects will provide a safer experience for students and faculty, improve campus quality of life, and avoid additional cost burdens for students.
The projects are already in progress by several of the universities and some have initiated design work.