University system officials argue the state's schools and colleges need 185 million dollars over the next 6 years to upgrade their science buildings. Republican house leaders say they'll weigh the request against the state's other capital needs.
THE SO-CALLED ?KNOWLEDGE ECONOMY EDUCATION PLAN FOR NEW HAMPSHIRE,? OR KEEP-NEW HAMPSHIRE, WOULD FOCUS ON THE OVERHAUL OF FIVE BUILDINGS AT THE UNIVERSITY OF NEW HAMPSHIRE AND ONE AT PLYMOUTH STATE. AMONG THEM IS THE UNH?S PHYSICS BUILDING, DEMERRITT HALL, WHICH U-N-H PRESIDENT JOAN LEITZEL SAYS EXEMPLIFIES THE PROBLEMS WITH THE BUILDINGS.
It was built in 1914 and has never been fully renovated. So its teribly out of date, terribly inappropriate for research, so we can?t receive fed grant for work there
USNH OFFICIALS ARGUE THE RENOVATIONS WOULD BE AN INVESTMENT IN NEW HAMPSHIRE?S FUTURE. CHANCELLOR STEVEN RENO SAYS THEY?RE CRUCIAL TO PRODUCING WORKERS FOR NEW HAMPSHIRE?S HIGH-TECH ECONOMY.
1056 the univ sys has a job to do in svc to the state of nh. And no one gives anyone resp to do a job unless they provide thme with the tools they need.
THE PLAN WOULD COST 185 MILLION DOLLARS OVER THE NEXT SIX YEARS. IT HAS BACKING FROM KEY LAWMAKERS, INCLUDING THE REPUBLICAN CHAIRS OF BOTH THE HOUSE AND SENATE EDUCATION COMMITTEES. DEMOCRAT LOU D?ALLESANDRO, A U-N-H GRADUATE, IS A VOCAL SUPPORTER.
LOU D
005 008 I went to school in most of those buildings forty years ago, and believe me, they are not up to speed, and we?ve gotta bring them up to speed.
UNIVERSITY OFFICIALS SAY THEY KNOW THEY?RE TAKING A RISK BY STATING OPENLY THAT THEIR TECHNOLOGY FACILITIES ARE SUBPAR. PRESIDENT LEITZEL ACKNOWLEDGES THAT COULD DISCOURAGE GOOD STUDENTS FROM COMING TO UNH.
12 147 once we have gone pub with this, we wont retreat. there is nothing short of full renovation that will remedy these buildings.
BUT WITH THE LEGISLATURE NOW IN ITS FOURTH YEAR OF TURMOIL OVER HOW TO RESPOND TO A COURT ORDER TO PAY FOR PUBLIC SCHOOLS, THE UNIVERSITY SYSTEM FACES AN UPHILL BATTLE. SUPPORTER MARJORIE SMITH IS A DEMOCRAT FROM DURHAM AND MEMBER OF THE HOUSE FINANCE COMMITTEE.
I believe cap budget comm is trying to work this through// we know the gov is very interested and we know it?s a matter of juggling competing demands
THE BILL IS NOW IN THE HOUSE PUBLIC WORKS COMMITTEE, WHICH WILL DECIDE WHETHER TO RECOMMEND PASSAGE BY THE FULL HOUSE. FOR NHPR NEWS I?M
