University of Delaware asks committee to restore capital funding and expand presence in Southern Delaware

University of Delaware President Laura Carlson presented UD’s FY27 capital priorities and a multi‑pronged plan to expand UD’s presence in Southern Delaware.

Carlson thanked committee members and described the university’s statewide role, noting about 8,500 Delaware students and roughly 50,000 alumni in the state. She outlined the university’s capital priorities: maintain and modernize core campus facilities and invest in strategic expansions tied to workforce needs. Carlson said the governor recommended $16.5 million; UD is requesting the committee consider restoring the university’s original $20 million ask to address deferred maintenance and modern classrooms.

Carlson framed a second request — $5 million — as the beginning of a UD commitment to Southern Delaware, with three interlocking goals: expand access to healthcare and clinical training, grow K–12 teacher preparation locally via a 2+2 pathway, and address affordable and workforce housing near UD’s Sharp Research Station and Lewes (Lewes/Dabur Complex). The requested $5M would be split to support site‑readiness and infrastructure planning and to upgrade roads, utilities and convening/classroom spaces at the Sharp site.

UD highlighted existing projects funded in part by the state, including the SABER biomanufacturing center (state capital support of $30M plus federal funding), renovation projects that enabled new research labs and classroom capacity, and recent improvements to athletics and campus safety infrastructure. Carlson described plans for a Southern Delaware clinic targeted to open in September 2027 to provide clinical training and expand access to primary and mental health services; UD also committed to workforce‑oriented nurse practitioner and physician‑assistant training pathways in partnership with regional health systems.

Committee members asked about federal funding for SABER (UD said federal funding is in place and an extension is pending), how UD expects to retain out‑of‑state students (scholarships with service commitments, plus‑one degrees, internships and employer partnerships), and whether UD is engaged in the Rural Health Transformation initiative and a potential consortium approach to a medical school. UD staff described several proposals (physician assistant program, accelerated MSN-to‑NP pipelines, nurse practitioner scholars) and stressed partnerships with hospital systems for clinical placements.

On campus safety, UD said it plans a multi‑year conversion of building access to a swipe‑access system and other improvements; the university noted sworn police staffing and existing emergency systems and exercises as part of its safety program.

What’s next: UD asked the committee to consider restoring capital funding to $20M and to fund the $5M Southern Delaware request as part of FY27 deliberations. Committee members expressed support for UD’s southern presence and workforce goals.