UpDate - Vol. 14, No. 30, Page 1
May 4, 1995
President makes case for increase in state support

     Financial support by the state of Delaware for the University of
Delaware's capital program is an important asset both to the
University and the citizens of our state," University President David
P. Roselle told members of the General Assembly's bond committee May
2.
     The University requested $8.5 million from the state for the next
fiscal year, including $4 million for the expansion and renovation of
Colburn Laboratory, $3 million for a new facility for the College of
Business and Economics and $1.5 million for facilities renewal and
renovation projects across the campus.
     The governor's $6 recommendation included funding as requested
for Colburn Lab, $1 million for the College of Business and Economics
and $1 million for facilities renewal and renovation projects.
     "We are disappointed that the governor's recommendation did not
fully support our Capital Budget Request," Roselle said, asking the
legislators to give additional consideration to the University's
request for full funding.
     He noted that the Colburn Laboratory project, which has received
$7 million in state funding over the last two fiscal years, is
progressing, with occupancy of the addition expected this summer and
renovation of the existing building scheduled for the fall of 1996.
     "We are pleased to have created these construction jobs and, by
starting construction in advance of all funding being in place, to
have helped ensure an early occupancy of a state-of-the-art research
facility by our chemical engineering faculty and students," Roselle
said.
     Specifics of the request include:

     * As a top priority, $4 million for the addition to and
       renovation of Colburn Laboratory, the third of four requests
       for this project. Of this project's total budget of $22
       million, $7 million is being raised privately, and that
       campaign has now raised more than $5 million. Over the last two
       fiscal years, the state has provided $7 million. Colburn
       Laboratory is home to the Department of Chemical Engineering,
       which is consistently ranked among the top 10 departments in
       the nation.
          "As the University continues to attract highly qualified
       faculty and students to this program, state-of-the-art
       laboratories are essential," Roselle said. "Expansion and
       enhancement of the laboratory space in Colburn Laboratory is
       both timely and consistent with the mission and direction of
       the chemical engineering department. The return on investment
       in such facilities is evident in the track record of
       productivity in the department in securing external research
       support."

     * As a second priority, $3 million for the second installment
       toward a four-year state commitment of $11 million for an
       addition to and renovation of Purnell Hall. The governor
       included only $1 million in his recommendation. In FY 1995, a
       first installment of $2 million was appropriated. An additional
       $4 million for this project is to be raised from private
       sources, and with the recent $2.5 million gift from MBNA, this
       fundraising campaign is near its goal. "However, the MBNA gift
       is contingent upon the state's continued commitment to this
       project," Roselle said. "Thus, there is yet another important
       reason for the state to meet our requested funding level for
       this project." The design for this project is under way, and
       ground is expected to be broken early next spring for
       completion in time for the fall 1997 semester. Purnell Hall is
       home of the College of Business and Economics, the University's
       second largest college.

     * $1.5 million for facilities renewal and renovation across the
       campus. The governor approved $1 million for this purpose. In
       recent years, the University has undertaken several major
       renovation and renewal projects, totaling more than $16 million
       from University, private and federal funds. Using the $1.8
       million appropriated by the state over the last two years, plus
       funds requested for FY 1996, all matched one-for-one by UD
       funds, the University has undertaken a comprehensive renovation
       of facilities for the Department of Art. Included are Taylor
       Hall, Recitation Hall and Recitation Annex, which are all part
       of the Old College Historic District. Taylor Hall was completed
       this spring, and Recitation Hall and Annex will be completed in
       the spring of 1996. "We anticipate that the next such project
       will be the renovation of another of the campus signature
       buildings, Memorial Hall, which will begin once sufficient
       funding is in place," Roselle said.

     Noting that there are additional renovation and renewal projects
the University needs to undertake as funds become available, Roselle
said, "I cannot stress enough what a valuable asset the University of
Delaware's physical plant is and how extremely important it is to
preserve and enhance the campus for current and future generations.
     "In closing," Roselle said, "I want to remind the committee once
again that the University is an exemplary steward of its physical
plant and has made the allocation of funds for facility maintenance a
priority even in difficult economic times. As you know, we are also
unique among state-related agencies in our ability and track record of
leveraging funds provided by the state with both University and
private resources."