The Indiana state government is facing a shortfall of $763 million in its 2009 fiscal budget. This may lead to Repair and Rehabilitation funding cuts at IU Southeast, dealing another financial blow to the university after IU President Michael McRobbie ordered budget cuts on Wednesday, Jan. 7.
IU Southeast has dealt with R and R funding cuts before.
Bob Snip, Physical Plant director, said the 2007 to 2009 biennium was the first time in his six years at the campus they had received additional funding for upgrades and repairs.
“Because of the economy and the conditions of the state, unfortunately, that’s one of the first things that get cut,” Snip said. “We’ve already been hard-pressed for funding to maintain our facilities.”
R and R receives funding appropriated from the state to meet infrastructure needs at Indiana University—and its satellite campuses—on a biennial basis. The current biennium ends Tuesday June 30.
Projects currently in line include roof replacements on Physical Sciences, Knobview and the Activities Building.
It would also fix the flashing problem created when Ogle Center was built.
Flashing is a thin layer of waterproof material that channels out water that permeates brick structures. If flashing is improperly installed or impeded it allows the water to leak inside the building causing interior damage and weakening the structural integrity of the brick.
“When the Ogle Center was built the masons filled-in behind the [flashing],” Snip said. “The water hits the mortar that’s in there and has no place to go.”
Severe cracks in the masonry on Crestview Hall are also in line to be repaired, as well as the installation of energy-efficient windows to help with climate control.
So far, none of the projects set to be completed has lost funding.
“Supposedly, those are all funded,” Snip said. “So we’re in pretty good shape right now unless we hear otherwise before moving forward.”
The success of exterior repairs and upgrades on the campus, including last year’s windstorm damage, could be attributed to the additional funds appropriated from the state for the current
biennium. The issue with funding cuts for the 2009 to 2011 biennium lies with the campus’ interior projects which were set to begin after all exterior upgrades and repairs were completed.
Further cuts in funding will force the Physical Plant to perform emergency maintenance only, excluding much-needed upgrades of campus heating, ventilating and air conditioning units. HVAC units have a
lifespan of 20 to 25 years. The units for Crestview, Physical Sciences, the Activities Building and Hillside Hall have been in place for more than 30 years.
“We’re putting a Band-Aid on them to keep them going,” Snip said. “As a campus, we decided we had to get the exteriors maintained first.”
“Each regional campus submits a list to Bloomington and Bloomington compiles that list along with their needs and submits one request to the state,” Snip said.
The Indiana House Ways and Means Committee formulates the request and submits it to the House floor where it needs a minimum vote of 51 in-favor to be passed on to the Senate. If approved by both houses, the funding is included as a line item within the new budget that is sent to the governor.
Indiana State Representative William Cochran, special assistant to the chancellor for Development and Public Relations, said the Legislature was still considering the bill that included R and R funding for Indiana University campuses.
Cochran also served on the state’s Ways and Means Committee as the budget subcommittee chairman.
The $787.2 billion stimulus package received final congressional approval on Friday, Feb. 13, and is expected to be signed by the president on Thursday, Feb. 19. It presents an opportunity for IU Southeast to maintain their current level of funding or see cutbacks less than what is expected.
Each state will be allocated a certain amount of money from the stimulus package.
When the budget is considered, legislators will look at the possibility of IU campuses generating work for the economy with their repairs and upgrades and potentially appropriate the necessary funds.
Cochran said it was known as the trickle-down effect, which is why he is advocating the building of a new technology building, He said it would show prospect for using IU Southeast as a tool to jumpstart the economy.
“Building a new technology building will generate money for the economy,” he said. “Hiring contractors puts people to work and they buy the supplies needed which is exactly what we need
right now.”
By TRAVIS STURGILL
Staff Writer
trsturgi@ius.edu