Ohio University is one step closer to receiving about $26 million from the state — approximately $2 million more than university officials originally requested.
The Ohio Higher Education Funding Commission 2.0 made the requests. The committee is co-chaired by OU President Roderick McDavis. The recommendations will be up for approval in the biennial budget for fiscal years 2015 and 2016.
McDavis testified and recommended the funding model, which targeted deferred maintenance projects throughout the state, in front of an Ohio House subcommittee Wednesday.
The commission, originally assembled in 2011 by Gov. John Kasich, comprises presidents of Ohio’s 37 public universities and colleges.
The university asked for slightly more than $24 million late last year, which included a proposal to renovate The Convo, Peden Stadium, the Kennedy Museum of Art and other electrical, roof, steam tunnel and heating and cooling renovations and upgrades, according to a previous Post article.
“The funds for the Athens campus will address critical deferred maintenance projects — a priority need identified by university leadership and the Board of Trustees,” Stephen Golding, vice president for finance and administration, said in a statement.
Ohio’s 13 public universities were awarded $336 million of the $2.38 billion total proposed for colleges and universities — of which OU was allotted to receive nearly 8 percent.
OU proposed to receive the third largest sum of funding, behind Ohio State University and University of Cincinnati, respectively.
University reserves were going to fund construction, but if the budget bill passes as-is, the projects will be funded with state appropriations, said an OU Facilities representative.
OU has $53.25 million among Athens and regional campuses in deferred maintenance projects that it wants to fund with state capital funding, according to the November 2013 Board of Trustees agenda.
OU regional branches were included in the proposal, but more than 80 percent of the money was allocated for the Athens campus.
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Totals by College (including regional campuses):
Shawnee State University: $4,000,000
Central State University: $5,000,000
Youngstown State University: $12,650,000
Cleveland State University: $14,600,000
Bowling Green State University: $18,500,000
Wright State University: $20,285,000
University of Toledo: $23,750,000
Kent State University: $25,929,000
Ohio University: $26,014,000
University of Cincinnati: $42,035,000
Ohio State University: $99,217,250
TOTAL: $336,280,350
