I’m almost three years removed from my educational experience at the University of Minnesota. But the first time I saw the Twin Cities campus is still fresh in my memory.
I signed up for a campus tour in the dead of winter – my first mistake – as a high school senior. We began our chilly journey on University Avenue, the ideal spot to view the university’s historic buildings and breathtaking architecture. I left Minneapolis that day sold on the university, and that first impression left by the campus’s facilities undoubtedly played a part in my decision to enroll.
But once I started taking classes, I realized the negative impact historic buildings could have on university operations. Some of the archaic facilities were too hot. Some were too cold. Others were poorly lit and didn’t facilitate the best learning environment. Every campus has similar issues, and students learn to deal with them. But that doesn’t mean the problems shouldn’t be addressed. My latest alumni association magazine called for support for the university’s $225.5 million capital request for 2008.
“The cornerstone of the request is $100 million in Higher Education Asset Preservation and Replacement (HEAPR) funds to address safety and maintenance issues in the U’s 800-plus buildings and 28 million square feet of building space,” according to an article on the university’s alumni association web site. “The funding would help replace or renovate obsolete classrooms and laboratories, upgrade technology, fix roofs, windows, walls and mechanical and electrical systems, and allow for other improvements that help preserve the U’s infrastructure.”
As managers have seen with similar renovations, these building upgrades can improve energy efficiency and reduce maintenance costs in the long run. Plus, these renovations should help foster the best possible learning environment, which is Priority No. 1 in higher education.
The article urges alumni to sit down with legislators and tell them how big of an impact the university had on their lives. I wouldn’t mind sharing my first impressions of the university, especially if it helps future students enjoy the campus and its buildings as much as I did.