NIU will receive $1.7 million for building improvements of a possible $30 million Gov. Rod Blagojevich has recommended for the Capital Renewal Program during the next fiscal year.

Blagojevich’s plan, which was revealed on March 23, allows the $1.7 million to go to continuing projects that need to be funded.

Ken Zehnder, assistant director of State and Federal Relations for NIU, said they asked for funding for a number of projects, including renovating the Stevens Building. He said the building has life and health issues that need to be dealt with.

“That, for us, is a serious project,” Zehnder said.

He said the Illinois Board of Higher Education made recommendations to Blagojevich, which included the Stevens Building renovation. Adjustments will have to be made during the next several months to accommodate, Zehnder said.

The latest denial is part of what Zehnder describes as a continuing trend from downstate.

“We have not received what we consider is NIU’s share of the capital dollars for the last few years,” Zehnder said.

Bob Pritchard, state representative for the 70th District, said the legislature is reviewing the budget. He said the appropriation is in line with the direction Blagojevich is going.

“It’s a continuation of the governor’s disdain for higher education,” Pritchard said.

He said the $1.7 million will be used to pay for recurring projects on campus.

All universities must use a submission process for funding requests, Zehnder said. Universities rank their capital improvement projects in terms of priority and submit background information about each project to the IBHE.

The IBHE then makes its own priority list based on the information submitted, Zehnder said.

“We are not involved in the [IBHE] internal process,” Zehnder said.

He said he was not sure what criteria the board uses to determine which universities’ projects get recommendations.

There are criteria for prioritizing funding requests on the IBHE Web site. Examples include determining if there has been a prior commitment to a project through previous appropriations and if funds would facilitate a project being completed on time.

Also, if a building has emergency infrastructure caused by fire, tornado or life and health safety issues, this meets one of the criteria of the IBHE.

However, Zehnder said he has seen some universities consistently getting funding requests fulfilled.

Blagojevich recommended that Southern Illinois University get $8.5 million in capital improvements. The University of Illinois is budgeted for $13.7 million, while Illinois State University is receiving $1.5 million.

The legislature still needs to approve the governor’s recommendation for any university before they are finalized, Zehnder said. He said they will continue to work with local legislatures, the IBHE and the governor’s office.