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Inner workings need revival Mail Tribune / Jim Craven A bicyclist crosses the Southern Oregon University campus in the winter afternoon sun Tuesday. SOU stands to gain $30.5 million for repairs if a university systemwide bond measure of $500 million is approved by voters next year. A statewide bond measure will include $30.5 million to upgrade the university's plumbing, electrical and heating equipment By TONY BOOM ASHLAND - Voters won't see much difference if millions of dollars of bonds are approved for deferred maintenance and capital repairs at Southern Oregon University and other state campuses. But that doesn't mean the money wouldn't be put to good use. Most of the bond funds would be spent to replace electrical and plumbing systems, to update heating and ventilation systems and for other less-visible tasks. SOU could gain $30.5 million from a proposed $500 million bond measure. It would spend $10 million on electrical work, $5.3 million on plumbing and another $4.2 million on heating and ventilation. "We plan to extend the use of the buildings by coming back and investing in modernizing the systems," said Ron Bolstad, SOU vice president for administration and finance. Oregon University System said last week it may seek the $500 million next year in voter-approved bonds to fund the projects on Oregon's seven campuses. Backlogged maintenance now totals $488 million. The State Board of Higher Education is expected to decide at its Friday meeting whether to ask the 2003 Legislature to put out the measure. The bonds would be paid back from state general revenues rather than the university system's budget. A new swimming pool in McNeal Hall could be one of the more visible projects at SOU. The building would also get air conditioning in the older portions that lack it, new interior finishes, and plumbing and electrical improvements. Cost for all McNeal work is estimated at $2.45 million. "I can't remember the last time they came in and tried to bring us up to date," said Athletic Director Phil Pifer, who has been at SOU since 1981. "We've done small projects ... and then we limped along." Other projected bond expenditures include $6.1 million for the library, $4.4 million for the Science Building, $2.7 million for Churchill Hall, $3 million for Britt Center and $2.6 million for Central Hall. Education-Psychology and Music buildings and Taylor Hall are also slated to receive upgrades. The ages of the SOU buildings range from 77 years for Churchill Hall to 27 years for Education-Psychology. And their age is starting to show. Water pipes in the Science Building have started to leak, said Bruce Moats, physical plant director. "After 25 years a lot of those subsystems need to be replaced," said Marilyn Lanier, deputy vice chancellor for administration and finance for the Oregon University System. The university system received $25 million from the Legislature for capital repairs and deferred maintenance during the current biennium. SOU got $1.5 million of that amount and has so far spent $800,000 to upgrade windows and restrooms in Central Hall. Legislators considered a similar bill during the 2001 session that combined higher education, community colleges and K-12 school maintenance into one bond measure. They did not proceed because it would have obligated the state to back bonds for local school districts. Reach Ashland bureau reporter Tony Boom at 482-4651, or e-mail [email protected] Mail Tribune Home | Ottaway Newspapers, Inc. | Dow Jones & Co., Inc. | Privacy | Contact Us Copyright � 2001 Mail Tribune, Inc.