UVM asks state for $15M to finish multi‑purpose center; lawmakers press origins and tradeoffs

University of Vermont President Marlene Trump told the House Appropriations Committee on March 10 that UVM is seeking a $15 million one‑time allocation from the Higher Education Endowment Trust Fund to complete a stalled multi‑purpose center and to strengthen the university’s ability to recruit students amid a statewide enrollment decline.

Trump said the center would "serve students and serve the future of Vermont," arguing the facility would support events, athletic competitions and conventions that drive local tax revenue and economic activity. She said the campus project, approved by the UVM board in 2019, began construction later that year, was halted during the COVID‑19 pandemic and has since seen cost escalation.

The presenters said the total project cost is roughly $175 million and that UVM has spent about $75 million to date. The $15 million request would be added to pledged philanthropic commitments; Trump named matching interest from donor families and said the state’s commitment has been essential in persuading private donors to re‑engage.

Wendy Koig, introduced as UVM’s executive director for government relations, told the committee the governor’s proposal would use one‑time dollars from the Higher Education Endowment Trust Fund, which she said had received "an exceptional windfall" this year and that the plan would leave about $11 million in the corpus to continue supporting student aid.

Several committee members expressed general support for the project but cautioned that the trust fund has traditionally supported scholarships and student aid. One member warned that using trust corpus to finish capital construction could set a precedent that redirects funds away from direct student support. Members also noted other institutions may seek portions of any windfall and asked whether the proposal had been discussed more broadly across the Legislature.

On financing questions, UVM representatives described how donor commitments — outright gifts versus multi‑year pledges — affect whether construction could resume immediately and whether the facility could be made self‑sustaining over time. The presenters estimated event seating at about 5,000 and said revenue from athletics would flow to athletics while concert and event margins would support facility operations and campus programs.

Committee members also explored alternatives, including whether a loan or structured repayment from the trust fund would limit the impact on the fund’s mission. Presenters said debt service could require additional student fees and stressed that many donors want to see state investment before finalizing large gifts.

The committee did not vote on the request at the meeting. Members indicated the funding question raises broader policy considerations about what purposes the Higher Education Endowment Trust Fund should support and said they expected additional budget‑ and policy‑level conversations before any appropriation is approved.

The committee moved on to other agenda items and scheduled follow‑up budget discussions.