Eastern Kentucky University, along with other public postsecondary institutions, got a financial shot in the arm from the state General Assembly. Many of those dollars will go toward deferred maintenance in areas of heating and cooling. EKU Senior Vice President Barry Poynter told the EKU Board of Regents last week that evaluations of the overall building stock are also ongoing.
“Which academic spaces do we need and are we going to invest in. Which office spaces do we need now in an environment of so many remote workers are we going to retain and invest in.”
Poynter said the beefed-up funding will help to, quote, “push the accelerator significantly” when it comes to deferred maintenance.
Board Member Laura Babbage spoke about a cost and benefit examination when it comes to using dollars for building maintenance.
“Like if some things aren’t really worth fixing, and upgrading, and all that other stuff that you have to do to maintain them, we might have to make a harder choice as a Board of Regents you know on some of the buildings that might even be beloved on campus,” said Babbage.
EKU Faculty Regent Jason Marion said the additional dollars can help with enrollment and improve the overall classroom experience.
