*********************************
There is now a CONTENT FREEZE for Mercury while we switch to a new platform. It began on Friday, March 10 at 6pm and will end on Wednesday, March 15 at noon. No new content can be created during this time, but all material in the system as of the beginning of the freeze will be migrated to the new platform, including users and groups. Functionally the new site is identical to the old one. webteam@gatech.edu
*********************************
Atlanta, GA | Posted: January 11, 2010
George Ray
Program Specialist for Government Relations
Download a copy of the GT Legislative Priority card to share with your legislators.
Summary Sentence:
CULC furnishings, Eco-Commons among budget requests
Full Summary:
No summary paragraph submitted.
Clough Undergraduate Learning CommonsAs the legislative session begins, advocates for the Institute will not arrive at the capitol without goals and a plan in hand. Working with colleagues across the University System of Georgia (USG) in the summer and fall months of 2009, Georgia Tech's senior leaders set forth the Institute's legislative priorities for 2010.
Georgia Tech's legislative priorities consist of budgetary and non-budgetary items intended to support continued and growing operations and foster investment in innovation. According to Dene Sheheane, Executive Director of Government and Community Relations, "These legislative priorities reflect the needs of Georgia Tech and the University System as a whole to continue to provide a superb education to an increasing number of Georgia students."
At the top of the list is a request for $7 million in bonds to furnish the Clough Undergraduate Learning Commons (CULC). The CULC has found legislative support in the past two sessions, earning cash and bond allocations of $10 million in 2008 and $43 million in 2009 for site preparation and construction. "This final request will allow us to take the [CULC] from a shell to the innovative learning laboratory that it is meant to be," Sheheane said.
Following closely behind the CULC project are the perennial requests for increases in USG "formula funds" and Major Repair and Rehabilitation Funds. "With growing demand for higher education in the state, these funds are vital to ensure that we can continue day-to-day operations and maintain our learning facilities," Sheheane noted. Increases to these two primary USG accounts are sought annually with a portion of each total University System allocation passed through to Georgia Tech and each USG institution.
Rounding out the priority list for 2010 is a request for funding of a campus water relocation project and a call for renewal of a University System funding carry-forward provision. The "Eco-Commons" water relocation project is intended to help Tech adhere to its master plan, providing infrastructure to improve water management and allow for new green space. Renewal of the USG carry-forward provision will allow the University System and member institutions more flexibility in planning and allocating monetary resources.
Given the declining tax revenues of the past year and slow rebound projected into 2010, achievement of the Institute's priorities is not a certainty. Sheheane reflects, "Each state agency and department is feeling the pressure and looking to preserve and grow funding as much as possible."
"Our Legislative Network members will be vital to achieving our goals this session. As constituents, they hold a unique ability to get their lawmakers' attention, and we will need them to reach out on behalf of our Institute."
Though times are tough, Sheheane remains optimistic. "Our Institute and the University System of Georgia offers an incredible return on investment to the state in terms of graduates, cutting-edge research, and economic development. We will continue to share that message throughout 2010."
Click on the link to the right to download a copy of GT's Legislative Priorities card.
