By Kirk Laughlin
The University of Louisville tied with Kentucky State University for first in facility condition with a “fair” rating, while most other Kentucky schools were given a “poor” rating in a April 4 report released by the Postsecondary Education Council.
But the report stated that over $1.44 billion may be needed by U of L to pay for at least 14 facility renovations by 2020.
The report also recommended demolition of the Myers Dentistry Building downtown, citing a lack of elevators, as well as the dilapidated Engineering Graphics Building.
The findings were part of a broader report of all public colleges in Kentucky, concluding that the state will need upwards of $12.5 billion to be on par with colleges nationally.
Estimates were based on observation of select facilities on the Belknap and Health Sciences Campuses, taking into account anticipated enrollment and U of L’s goal to be a preeminent metropolitan research institute.
Larry Owsley, U of L vice president for business affairs, said, “I am pleased with the assessment that we are doing better than most of the other institutions in the state, but still, as a whole, Kentucky schools are behind the national average.”
Gottschalk Hall, J.B. Speed Hall, the Natural Science Building and the Urban Research Building were all recommended for “major renovation and assign to new use” by the report.
“The Natural Science Building is disgusting,” said Sean Warren, a freshman bio-engineering major. “Speed Hall may have been state of the art in its day, but today it does not have the necessary technology or facilities for a successful and cohesive engineering program.”
Major renovation was also urged for the Humanities, Life Sciences and Chemistry Buildings, Davidson and Schneider Halls, as well as the School of Business, Music and Teaching.
“The Humanities Building is very poorly lit,” Jennifer Coyle, a sophomore English and education major said. “The cinder block walls and utilitarian conditions are not too helpful on making for a good educational environment.”
“The report’s recommendations are not final and there is still room for alternatives,” Owsley said. “We can renovate and reassign these older facilities as opposed to demolishing them.”
The report comes on the heels of a state legislative session that closed without approving U of L maintenance projects.
“This report will serve as both a measurement of where we are today and a blueprint for us and the state legislature for what we need to do in the future,” Owsley said. “Though the numbers the report asked for are staggering, and we probably won’t get it all, I am still optimistic for the future.”
