U of M officials still uncertain concerning planned construction projects' futures

The Commercial Appeal recently published a state budget profilethat showed The U of M planning $55 million in construction andmajor renovation projects to be completed this fiscal year.

"That figure and that list of projects came from a section ofthe budget called the disclosure list," said Charles Lee, Uof Mvice president of business and finance in an e-mailed statement."As its name implies, that list discloses future projects that auniversity or a state entity may only be thinking about or wishingfor."

Although the plans have been discussed, there are no solidindications that they are likely to win the legislature's approval,Lee said.

The state requires future projects be disclosed in advance ofrequesting approval, even if those projects are to be funded byprivate donations, Lee said.

The budget profile could easily be misinterpreted, said DrewSchmitz, U of M Physical Plant communications chair.

"Reading the Commercial Appeal, you would think it wasdefinite," he said. "When I read it, I thought, 'OK, so we're doingconstruction next year.'"

The proposed projects are not scheduled to be completed or evento begin this year, Schmitz said.

Some plans may take several years to develop after beingsuggested in the disclosure list, while other proposed projects maynever come to fruition.

"The U of M Wilson School of Hospitality and Resort Managementappeared on the list for several years before its creation," Leesaid in the statement.

The budget profile also said the budget proposals were expectedto win state legislature approval by early May, which U of Mofficials said is inaccurate.

"It'll take some time before they even prioritize or schedule(the proposed construction and renovation projects), which is thefirst step," Schmitz said. "The next step is to construct designs,and there certainly aren't any designs yet."