In late June, legislators didn’t include the Student Experience Center in a bill approving bonds for capital construction in the Oregon University System. And since then, planning and construction for the new building has been put on hold until the legislature reconvenes in February.

The failure to get bond approval for a project that would have been paid with other revenue streams instead of tax dollars is highly unusual. The legislature also failed to include three other Oregon State University projects in the capital construction bill: a residence hall, a classroom building and an athletic performance center.

Because the bond was not approved, students will not pay an extra $48 per term in student fees this year to fund construction of the building.

The architect and construction company have both been put on hold with the project. New rates will be decided once the bond is approved by the legislature.

“It’s a waiting game at this point. We can’t do a whole lot until the bond passes,” said Michael Henthorne, director of the Memorial Union.

It is still unclear why the bond did not pass during the last legislative session. Capital projects at all universities came under higher scrutiny this legislative session, and many others, including several at the University of Oregon, were not approved by the house ways and means committee. Many have cited legislators concerns about incurring too much debt with bond issuance and a lack of preparation when presenting proposals.

However, OSU officials are ready to make sure that the SEC and other capital projects are approved by the legislature in the coming session in February.

“We have a team of individuals working on compiling a detailed document about the SEC for the next Legislative session,” Jennifer Creighton-Neiwert, financing and accounting manager at the auxiliaries and activities business center, wrote in an e-mail.

Jock Mills, director of government relations for OSU, said while the university hasn’t begun to work directly with legislators, who are out of session, preparations have begun.

“We’re going to start the conversation in October for the SEC and other capital projects,” said Mills, “Getting the four capital projects is the most important priority for OSU in the upcoming legislative session.

Reprint from Daily Barometer, September 19, 2011

 Don Iler, managing editor 737-2232 managing@dailybarometer.com