March 30, 2000
 
Appalachian Begs For Legislature Dollars
John T. Bennett  Administration Beat
 
 

 

 

 

 

 

The latest round in the Appalachian State University administration’s fight for state funding of capital construction projects took place on the ASU campus Tuesday. 
Members of the North Carolina General Assembly Advisory Budget Commission visited the Appalachian campus and listened to a presentation from Chancellor Francis T. Borkowski. 
In the presentation, Borkowski made a plea to the legislators to grant Appalachian State $82.3 million for projects he called “immediate and pressing needs.” 
The foundation of the 20 minute presentation was the purposed renovations of the Rankin Science Building, Founders Hall and Belk Library. 
Borkowski pointed to a long list of existing problems in the Rankin Science Building such as faulty windows, obsolete equipment and overcrowded laboratories. 
The chancellor also stressed the importance of the Rankin Science renovation due to the fact that the building is not handicap accessible. 
Another cornerstone of the Appalachian State administration’s plea was the proposed $47.6 million Library/Information Commons project slated to begin in 2005. 
“The problems in Belk Library are substantial,” said Borkowski, “it is always pointed out by all students as the number one problem on campus.” 
The ASU presentation described Belk Library as an out-of-date facility that had the greatest negative effect on student retention. 
Borkowski told the members of the Advisory Budget Commission that for Appalachian to meet the educational needs of a state that is behind the national average in terms of citizens who have earned baccalaureate degrees, it is imperative that the university receive the requested $82.3 million in funding. 
“This is crunch time in terms of dealing with these facilities,” said Borkowski. 
After hearing the Appalachian State sales pitch, the legislators toured two buildings in order to get a first hand look at the problems spelled out in the presentation. 
Vicki J. Martin, Chairperson of the Department of Biology, took the legislators through two laboratories in an attempt to make clear the impending need of the Rankin Science renovation. 
The members of the committee also walked through Edwin Duncan Hall, where they were shown the small size of several faculty offices. 
Due to another scheduled stop at Wilkes Community College, the joint-commission was forced to cut short their visit, and unable to tour the Belk Library. 
Though the visit was shortened to accommodate the commission’s busy schedule, the administration’s plea did not fall on deaf ears. 
“I believe the point has been made,” said one Advisory Budget Commission member  as the group prepared to board their bus en route to their next destination. 
Tuesday marked the first time since capital construction funding at state-supported universities became a top legislative agenda issue that the Appalachian State administration had experienced a home turf advantage. 
That advantage, however, is diluted by the fact that the 13-member Advisory Budget Commission is hearing similar pleas from other North Carolina institutions as the committee visits a number of universities and community colleges throughout the state. 
The situation is also complicated by the fact that the North Carolina General Assembly has drained its coffers due to the $836 million Hurricane Floyd relief package, a costly lawsuit and sizeable tax cuts. 
 
 
 
 
theapp@appstate.edu