The 2003 capital budget recommendations were approved by the Board of Trustees at their meeting on Sept. 20.

The proposal contained more than $117 million in projects. The list will be submitted to the Illinois Board of Higher Education on Oct. 15. The Board of Trustees should then get some indication of what will be approved in late November or early December.

“You have to look at the number of projects we’re talking about,” said Eddie Williams, senior vice president for finance and facilities. “Typically what happens is that they’ll approve the first three projects.”

The first priority is the renovation of the Stevens Building, which will be $16.8 million. Improvements will include new heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems, new energy efficient windows and a new roof.

“We have toured the building for significant planning,” NIU President John Peters said. “It deserves to be funded.”

Second on the list is a request for almost $5 million for fixtures, furniture and equipment for Barsema Hall.

The third request is for $10 million to renovate Wirtz Hall.

“If the Board will approve three or four of the projects, that will be successful, even if the whole list wasn’t approved,” Williams said.

The list will then be given to the Governor in January. He then can decide based on the state legislative votes. The university will not know what they’ll receive until June 2002.

“Once we know what’s funded, we’ll know how long [construction] will take,” Williams said.

If there are projects that won’t be approved, they will be submitted again for the following year.

“I’m hoping all will be approved,” Williams said. “We need all of them.”