UMSL Chancellor Tom George discussed the university’s future on the June 22 episode of “St. Louis on the Air” on St. Louis Public Radio. (Photo by Alex Heuer/St. Louis Public Radio)
The University of Missouri–St. Louis is bustling with renovations and new construction projects despite being faced with financial challenges. UMSL Chancellor Tom George touched on these projects and other future plans for the university on “St. Louis on the Air,” a program on St. Louis Public Radio | 90.7 KWMU.
“A major part of the campus got built during the ’60s,” George told program host Don Marsh. “We’re now probably having more capital construction, certainly dollar-wise – over $125 (million) to $130 (million) – at one time than we’ve had in the history of the institution.”
The university has been “very creative,” George said, in its approach to funding projects with state funding in decline since 2010. Projects discussed included the following new facilities:
- Science Learning Building
- the College of Optometry’s Patient Care Center
- the College of Business Administration’s Anheuser-Busch Hall
- Recreation and Wellness Center
Other projects mentioned were:
- renovation of Benton Hall
- reconstruction of Natural Bridge Road
- acquisition of Normandie Golf Course
A combination of student-approved fees, gifts from donors and bonds account for the vast majority of the construction funding. Missouri Gov. Jay Nixon has released a $10 million match of funds already raised by UMSL for Anheuser-Busch Hall and $13.6 million in state bond funds to renovate Benton Hall. The reconstruction of Natural Bridge Road is funded through a combination of federal, state and local sources. Normandie Golf Course was purchased with private funds donated exclusively for that purpose.
George also discussed the status of Normandie and St. Agnes halls, the university’s role in helping Ferguson, Mo., heal and UMSL’s efforts to generate more funding for scholarships.
Visit the St. Louis Public Radio website to listen to the full interview.
