News

Regents give green light to $24 million MSU chem lab

Emphasizing the potential boost to Montana’s economy, the state Board of Regents agreed Wednesday to let Montana State University begin designing a new $24.5 million chemistry and biochemistry research laboratory.

The regents, in a special conference-call meeting, voted 6-0 to give MSU the green light. Next the issue goes to Gov. Judy Martz for her signature.

By GAIL SCHONTZLER, Chronicle Staff Writer

http://bozemandailychronicle.com/articles/2004/04/15/news/04chemistrybzbigs.txt

MSU has been trying for at least 15 years to replace its aging and crowded chemistry labs in Gaines Hall, said President Geoff Gamble, who thanked the regents for their vote.

Regents Chairman John Mercer praised university officials for their "innovative thinking" and willingness to work with the governor’s staff and legislators to win their support and trust.

Mercer said research done in the new lab will be good for the country, good for the state’s economy and good for students, who will be exposed to top-notch scientists.

"This is going to be a big one" for economic development, said Regent Richard Roehm, who shook hands with Gamble at Montana Hall after the vote.

"We all feel great about it," said Tom McCoy, MSU vice president for research. He said the new lab will allow MSU to hire scientists who could bring in millions of dollars of new research grants.

MSU tried and failed in the 1990s to get private industry to donate millions for a "green building" lab to showcase environmental innovations. Then MSU got the OK from the 2001 Legislature to start planning a major renovation and expansion of Gaines Hall. But in 2003, facing major budget cuts, the Legislature had no money for new buildings.

Now MSU has offered to pay for the lab itself, using overhead dollars from federal research grants — not state dollars.

MSU spent a record $82 million from research grants last year. Of that, $12.9 million, or 16 percent, was earmarked for overhead to support research.

With current low interest rates, it will cost roughly $1.2 million a year for the lab’s bond debt, said Craig Roloff, MSU acting vice president for finance.

But the proposal ran into trouble over who would pay the lab’s electric bills and other operating and maintenance costs.

Chuck Swysgood, the governor’s budget director, said he couldn’t recommend it to Martz unless MSU paid the operating and maintenance bills, estimated at $500,000 to $750,000 a year.

MSU agreed to cover those bills and to write to the governor that it was not seeking any money from the Legislature "at this time." Regent Lila Taylor moved to delete that last phrase.

"You’ll build it, but you won’t take care of this," Taylor complained to MSU officials. Her motion passed 5-1, with Regent Lynn Hamilton dissenting. Regent Mark Semmens was absent.

Mercer said he had agreed with Swysgood that MSU would never argue to the Legislature that it had an "obligation" to cover the lab’s maintenance costs. But they also agreed, Mercer said, that MSU could someday ask for state help with maintenance if that would make possible some beneficial new program.

Posted in:

Sorry, we couldn't find any posts. Please try a different search.

Leave a Comment

You must be logged in to post a comment.