July 8-9, 2004

ITEM 124-1001-R0704    Increase in Authorization for Addition to Skaggs Building; The University of Montana-Missoula

THAT: The Board of Regents of Higher Education authorizes The University of Montana - Missoula to increase the project budget to construct a new research addition on the Skaggs Building. This request is to increase the authority to $14 million from the Board of Regents and then seek additional state authority using MCA 17-7-211 to amend the budget as allowed in that statute.

EXPLANATION: The project has been previously authorized for $11.5 million by the 58th Legislature. An architect has been appointed and has developed detailed plans that meet current NIH guidelines and standards. This refined design and documentation has resulted in costs that are significantly higher than were anticipated in the original concept.

In 2000, the newly constructed "Skaggs" building opened providing new space for instructional and research activities in the School of Pharmacy. Since that time, the School of Pharmacy has climbed to seventh nationally, among 85 schools and colleges of pharmacy, in receipt of biomedical research funding. Up from $1.5 million in 1999, research funding reached $11.0 million in 2003, a 633% increase. This rapidly increasing research activity, however, has created serious space constraints for the School. In an effort to address this space issue, the School submitted a proposal and received $3.0 million federal grant from the National Institute of Health (NIH) to be used towards a $14.0 million, 59,000 sq.ft. addition to the "Skaggs" building. The grant requires a minimum of a 1:1 funding match. In addition to the grant funding, the University President and Dean of the School of Pharmacy are engaged in private fundraising to generate $4.0 million for the new facility. Bond proceeds combined with the grant and private donations provide the necessary resources to construct the new facility.