USNH seeks $100 million for capital improvements

DURHAM – The University System of New Hampshire will seek $100 million from the state Legislature to finance a six-year capital improvements program that trustees approved yesterday.

The money is meant to supplement and extend the state's existing capital improvements program, called Knowledge Economy Education Plan or KEEP, which provides more than $200 million over about 10 years, ending in fiscal year 2013. KEEP money goes toward building projects at the various campuses, including a major renovation of the University of New Hampshire's Kingsbury Hall.

State officials still must approve the new funding and USNH Chairman Andy Lietz yesterday implored fellow trustees to take the cause to their legislators.

"This is something we cannot afford not to do," Lietz said, noting that the upgrades are "important to the economic vitality of the state."

The program approved yesterday, nicknamed KEEP UP, seeks $100 million over six years beginning in fiscal year 2010 for deferred maintenance at each of the system's three main campuses as well as money for equipment at New Hampshire Public Television. USNH plans to ask for $10 million for fiscal years 2010-11, $20 million for fiscal years 2012-13 and $70 million in 2014-15 as a way to ramp up the projects over time.

The system also plans to match state spending on KEEP UP. A board-sponsored study of the system's maintenance needs concluded that more than $900 million would have to be spent over 15 years to keep their buildings in order.

Among the projects slated to receive funding under KEEP UP are the ALLWell Center athletic facility at Plymouth State University, the Fine and Media Arts Center at Keene State College and Hamilton Smith Hall at UNH.

UNH faculty contract

Trustees unanimously approved a recently agreed upon contract for UNH faculty yesterday, coinciding with a vote by the faculty union that also green-lighted the contract. Faculty voted 210-1 in favor of approval. The votes pave the way for the new contract to go into effect in the coming weeks.

Faculty and administrators came to a tentative contract agreement late last month that gave professors a 14.5 percent pay raise over three years, but also required that they pay a larger portion of their health insurance.

The contract covers about 640 faculty members at the school and is retroactive to July 2006, meaning both sides will square off again next year.

Student fees

Students at each of the three public colleges will pay more for room and board next year under new rates the board approved yesterday.

For the 2008-09 school year, the cost of a double room at UNH will rise 5.2 percent to $5,306, at Keene State it will go up 4.5 percent to $5,256 and at Plymouth State the rate will grow 7.5 percent to $5,850.

Also for next school year, a UNH meal plan will cost an extra 5.2 percent and grow to $3,290, while at Keene State the price will rise 4.5 percent to $2,540 and at Plymouth State students will pay an extra 5 percent for $2,300.