UMass officials propose $3.1b in new construction, upgrades

Yet the system is still struggling in the face of cuts in funding from the Legislature, said UMass trustee Victor Woolridge at yesterday’s board meeting.

By assuming debt and boosting philanthropy, UMass has shouldered much of the cost of capital projects over the past decade, a far greater share than that carried by other state universities. The new plan calls for almost doubling - to 29 percent - the share of capital costs covered by state government dollars.

“Continued economic stagnation and reduced state support are partially responsible for the university assuming such a large share of its capital requirements,’’ said Woolridge, who chairs the system’s finance committee. “This situation has placed strains on our operating budget. We must call upon the state to restore the balance.’’

UMass spokesman Bob Connolly said hopes for more government funding grew out of recent discussions with the Legislature and Governor Deval Patrick.

“We think there’s a desire on the governor’s and Legislature’s parts to step up and take on a bigger share of our funding,’’ Connolly said. “But it’s understood that it’s unlikely that every project on the list for the next five years will actually be accomplished. The X factor here is the availability of funds.’’

The proposal approved yesterday is larger than a similar plan the system approved last year, which clocked in at $2.5 billion.

Almost a third of the construction budget is set aside for the flagship campus in Amherst. Among new projects on that school’s list are an $80 million physics building and a $30 million upgrade of the football stadium. The school is also hoping for a $179 million housing expansion and $157 million for science labs.

Other proposals include a $350 million research center at the UMass Medical School in Worcester, a $152 million science complex at UMass Boston, $115 million for deferred maintenance at UMass Lowell, and a $75 million renovation of residence halls at UMass Dartmouth.