Health building plans on hold

January 29, 2007 —

It appears as if plans for the construction of a proposed Health Sciences building at SVSU have been rejected out of monetary considerations.

SVSU's growing student population and burgeoning health industry have put space at a premium and created demand for the building, but Michigan's budgetary problems have momentarily sidetracked the project.

Presented as part of a larger bill, SVSU would have receieved approximately $18 million towards the construction. The bill was ultimately vetoed by Governor Granholm, who stated she felt it was wrong to approve new spending without having a replacement for the state's Single Business Tax, which is set to expire at the close of the year.

Despite the setback, most believe it is not a question of if, but when the proposal is approved.

"The proposal has strong legislature support," said Jan Blecke, Dean of the College of Nursing and Health Sciences. "Money is the real hold-up."

The development of a new degree program and the overall increase in nursing students have been cited as key reasons for the need of the proposed building. Nursing students currently make up 11 percent of SVSU's total enrollment.

Added emphasis on simulation-learning in the health field has created the need for more space, something SVSU is currently lacking.

"SVSU has been growing, but the campus has not been growing accordingly," Assistant Vice President of Campus Facilities Stephen Hocquard said.

Hocquard added that because classroom space is already limited, the new building would provide more space in general.

Because the building has not yet been approved, it is not precisely known what it would include, although classrooms and more labs are a certainty.

The rapidly-changing health industry has made the facility a top priority since funding for the renovation of Pioneer Hall was secured several years ago.

"We know that there is a high demand for nurses and we know that the delivery of health care is increasingly complex," said Director of Media Relations J.J. Boehm. "A new building will provide a modern facility for our students to learn the knowledge and skills that will be expected of them."

If approved, the building would likely be constructed near the northwest section of campus, near the Regional Educational Center.

According to Boehm, SVSU plans to request $21 million from the state for the projected $28-million building.

There would be at least a two-year gap between the approval of the building and the commencement of construction, which would likely take another two years.

Although most are confident the building will come to fruition, space concerns have prompted the need for a backup plan.

"A real serious conversation will be needed if it doesn't pass, because something must be done regardless," Blecke said.

In the meantime, the legislature has reconvened and made it a priority to have the proposal accepted.

More is projected to be known some time this spring, after Granholm reveals her strategy for replacing the Single Business Tax.