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EMU seeks funding for older campus facilities

A picture can tell a thousand words. For a number of state legislators, what they saw spoke loud and clear: Eastern Michigan University has some serious infrastructure issues that need attention.

Prior to a Senate Appropriations Higher Education Subcommittee hearing hosted by Eastern Michigan University May 20, state officials were given a tour of the campus — warts and all.

IN NEED OF CARE: Pray-Harrold, Eastern Michigan
University's largest classroom building, is nearly 40
years old and in need of renovation. State legislators
toured campus May 20 to learn more about the
University's capital funding needs.

Citing the average age of its campus buildings as nearly 50 years old, Eastern Michigan University officials are asking for some assistance from lawmakers.

"We have aging infrastructure and attached problems to that. The average age of our building is 48 years," EMU President Craig Willis told legislators during the hearing in Welch Hall. "They're charming (buildings), but weren't built for technology. They need to be updated to give students what they need."

Pray-Harrold, EMU's main classroom building, has been the University's top capital funding priority since 1999. In December 2004, the Board of Regents again approved the project as EMU's top capital priority, with an estimated $41.4 million price tag to modernize the facility that serves approximately 10,000 students daily.

Legislators also toured Mark Jefferson and Strong Hall, the main science and technology facilities on campus; and Sill Hall, which houses the College of Technology. All of these buildings are other renovation priorities at EMU, the second-oldest university in Michigan.