In the midst of a nearly $40 million deficit, the university asked the State of Delaware for additional funding for capital projects. Divided between breaking ground for new buildings, renovations and remodels, the ask totals out to $52.5 million.
The original request was to put $30 million into buildings for deferred maintenance and $22.5 million towards construction projects at STAR Campus. The finalized budget for the state for the 2024-2025 fiscal year only approved $17 million for funding towards capital projects.
“The University is systematically addressing its deferred capital projects through a strategic, long-term approach that determines prioritization based upon building viability and need, while also considering several potential revenue streams, including philanthropy and state appropriations,” the university wrote in a statement to The Review.
No plan has been confirmed by the university on how the current funds will be divided among the upcoming projects.
The original budget proposed by the governor was $10 million reserved for capital projects; however, the state was able to provide an additional $7 million for the university, with the total appropriation being $17 million. Delaware State University and Delaware Technical Community College are also receiving $17 million for campus improvements and deferred maintenance.
Some students want to see the money go towards air-conditioning in the dorm buildings.
“The majority of dorms on campus have no air conditioning,” Maclaren Blow, senior mechanical engineering major at the university, said. “The dorm room should be a place of comfort and where students can unwind and that becomes difficult when the only thing you can think of is how unbearable the heat is.”
Mackenzie Frank, a sophomore entrepreneurship student at the university, echoed the request for air conditioning in the dorms. She revealed that students have to “file through Disability Support Services (DSS)” to have an air-conditioned dorm and that students “might not be approved.”
While some students may be placed in an air-conditioned room randomly, many who actually need it have to request it. In order for students to have air conditioning in their dorm room, they must complete an online form from DSS, then have their doctor fill out part of the form. It is then submitted to be reviewed by the DSS office. If approved, the student is given an air conditioner or moved into an air-conditioned building.
“I think that it takes away from students that actually have disabilities,” Frank said. “Their requests are possibly backed up due to requests for air conditioners.”
Blow explained that he would also want to see the money go towards new desks or chairs. More specifically, in Kirkbride and Brown Lab, where a “majority of desks do not have an optimal amount of space when students need to take quizzes or exams.” Blow also mentioned that it “adds unnecessary stress” to students.
The Newark Post published plans for new softball fields and renovations to the stadium in May. It also mentioned the latest request for $52.5 million came in addition to the university’s previous ask of $146 million for operating costs.
To raise more money towards renovations, the university included in its statement that it will be “considering several potential revenue streams,” including philanthropic support and more state funding in the future.
“We are thankful to the state legislature and, in particular, its Joint Committee on Capital Improvement, for providing $17 million in financial support toward deferred maintenance and laboratory upgrades that will aid our ability to deliver on our mission and extend our legacy as Delaware’s flagship institution and one of the top-ranked universities in the country,” the university statement read.
The Review reached out to the chair of the State of Delaware’s Joint Finance Committee but they did not respond to an interview request.