The Joint Ways and Means Subcommittee on Capital Construction held a hearing on capital requests for Oregon University System projects on May 10. UO has five projects under consideration. The Governor’s Recommended Budget included state-backed bonds for the renovation and expansion of Straub and Earl Halls and revenue bond funding for student housing, the expansion of the Student Recreation Center, and expansion and renovation of the Erb Memorial Union (EMU). The Governor’s announcement of his capital construction priorities identified the expansion of the University of Oregon’s science library as a further priority should the legislature choose to allocate additional debt capacity.

Oregon University System (OUS) Vice Chancellor for Finance and Administration Jay Kenton offered an overview of all OUS projects. Oregon State University, Western Oregon University, and Portland State University also offered presentations to the committee. UO Vice President for Finance and Administration Jamie Moffitt attended the hearing to answer questions and provided committee members with written testimony. Moffitt met with subcommittee members while in Salem.