President requests support from state for scholarships and construction

Continued funding for the completion of major construction projects and additional support for student scholarships and library resources lead the University of Delaware's request for state appropriations in the upcoming fiscal year, according to a request presented Nov. 7 by UD President David P. Roselle to members of the governor's executive staff.

Acknowledging the limitations posed by current economic conditions in the state, the president said that a request of $12.5 million would enable UD to compete a pair of major renovation projects on UD's Mall while continuing its systematic restoration and upgrading of campus buildings and infrastructure.

"I do understand the pressures on the state's capital funding," Roselle said. "But, I hope that you will consider that our projects are underway as you determine priorities for your limited funding."

UD's request for the next fiscal year includes $6 million out of a total of $22.5 million from the state toward the $26 million renewal and renovation of Wolf Hall. The project, which began in the summer of 2000, and is scheduled for completion in December 2002, also includes the construction of a 10,000-square-foot in-fill to accommodate the programming requirements of the departments of Biological Sciences and Psychology.

"There is a fair amount of excitement about the direction of the Department of Biological Sciences at UD," Roselle said. "This renovation, coupled with the laboratories and equipment at the Delaware Biotechnology Institute, will give UD superior biology facilities."

The president said UD also is seeking $4 million out of a total of $7.5 million in state funding for the $26.4 million expansion of DuPont Hall, scheduled for completion in May 2002.

The renovation of Wolf Hall and DuPont Hall will mark the final stages in the fulfillment of the vision of UD benefactor Pierre Samuel du Pont, who donated the land bounded by East Main Street, Academy Street, East Park Place and South College Avenue in 1914.

UD also is seeking $1.5 million in facilities renewal and renovation, which will support about half the construction cost of renovating Mechanical Hall. The renovated structure, which currently houses Army ROTC and the Department of Military Science, will become the permanent home of the Paul R. Jones Art Collection and other collections. One of the oldest, largest and most complete holdings of African-American art in the nation, the Paul Jones collection includes works by such noted artists as Charles White, Herman "Kofi" Bailey, David Driskell and Elizabeth Catlett.

"Paul Jones selected UD for the home of his collection because he felt that our art history department has a worldwide reputation and is a mainstream influence in the art world," Roselle said. "The collection and the important opportunities it offers to our students are why it is so important to renovate this building."

Also included in the capital funds request is $1 million in minor capital improvement funds for improving infrastructure in biology and engineering, with targeted initiatives including the colleges of Marine Studies, Agriculture and Natural Resources, Arts and Science, Health and Nursing Sciences and Engineering.

Roselle noted that UD's record of a five-to-one match of capital appropriations to UD is a wise investment policy for the state. "No other organization to whom appropriations have been made has achieved this level of leverage," he said.

Among the additional requests made by UD before the governor's executive staff concerning fiscal year 2003 state appropriations are:

$343,000 for scholarship funds to address anticipated increases in tuition and mandatory fees under five scholarship programs that directly benefit Delaware residents. Included in the request is a $61,300 increase for the Minority Student Recruitment Program and an additional $68,300 for the Aid to Needy Students Special Line;
$500,000 to cover a projected 8.3 percent increase in the cost of journal subscriptions, as well as the purchase of new volumes, journals, microforms and databases essential to a vibrant academic library; and
$54,000 for software license support to assist UD in addressing some of the recurring software licensing expenses associated with enhanced computing at the University.

"Your continued support is central to improving equipment and facilities in order to attract the very best faculty, as well as supporting instruction and research," Roselle said. "UD will also continue to leverage state funding to attract additional funding to support research in these emerging areas of biotechnology and engineering."