Board of Regents approves LRBP priorities and multiple campus facility projects

The Montana Board of Regents on March 12 approved the Long-Range Building Program (LRBP) priorities for the 2029 biennium and authorized several campus facility actions, voting unanimously on each item.

Dan Stevenson, MUS Director of Facilities Planning, presented the LRBP consolidated list and major maintenance priorities and told the Board the Budget Committee had approved the lists. A motion to approve the LRBP request (ITEM 223-101-R0326) was made by Regent Loren Bough and passed 6-0. The Board also voted 6-0 to approve action items to plan and design a new Art Building at MSU Billings (ITEM 223-2702-R0326) and to complete instructional space renovations at MSU Bozeman (ITEM 223-2004-R0326). Stevenson said MSU Billings will spend up to $1.6 million to plan and design the art building and that the university has fundraised $3.2 million toward a projected $13.4 million total cost; construction authority will be requested later once planning is complete.

The Board approved a request for MSU Bozeman to spend up to $4 million to modernize approximately 10–15 classrooms and instructional labs across multiple buildings, to be paid using project plant funds and student building fees. Regents also authorized up to $2 million for repairs, renovations, and ADA improvements to the Plew Building (ITEM 223-2003-R0326), with funding coming from MSU’s deferred maintenance reserves. Each of these action items passed by voice vote with a 6-0 tally.

In addition to these action items, the Board approved consent agenda facility items including turf replacement at Washington-Grizzly Stadium, a lease renewal for vehicle storage at Dornblaser Field, an access easement for the City of Bozeman, a lab space lease with Rocky Vista University, and renovation authority for Morgan Hall at MSU Northern. Regent Carter Jasper moved approval of the consent items a–g; the motion passed 6-0.