In the early to mid 1980s, a candy bar cost at most 33 cents.
Now, students are lucky to find one for 65 cents.
On a larger scale, buildings cost a lot more to repair and construct nowadays.
Some trustees have taken note of the inflation rate and it will seek an increase from the current $100,000 cap that can be spent on construction contracts and maintenance repairs without the board’s consent at Friday’s meeting.
“What happens is, when you go 20 years, things that cost $100,000 in 1982 cost a lot more today,” said Fred Poston, vice president for finance and operations.
Poston said the board is seeking to increase the maximum amount to $500,000 and the new limit could help expedite construction projects.
The last increase was from $25,000 to $100,000 in 1982.
Any projects that could change the general layout or makeup of the campus would still need the board’s approval.
“Whenever you have to go through the board, it uses up a fair amount of time,” Poston said.
He said MSU has a lower price range than most Big Ten universities regarding money allowed to be spent on construction projects without the trustees’ approval.
He also said many Big Ten schools have maximum limits ranging from $500,000 to $1 million - and MSU is trying to keep up with the pace.
Art education senior Robert Jaruzel sees how the increase can help the university, but is still not sold on the idea.
“It doesn’t seem like you can do much for $100,000 - it’s small change,” Jaruzel said. “It seems like most of their building programs are large, so I don’t see how this affects me much.”
Trustee Joel Ferguson said the current amount is not as big a number as it seems.
Ferguson said all larger projects are unaffected by the possible change.
“All we’re doing is an adjustment to meet with today’s standards,” Ferguson said. “It makes zero difference. If it’s a big deal, then it’ll have to run by us first.”
Board chairman Don Nugent said it’s about time for the change.
“I am certainly in favor of it,” Nugent said. “As we look over all these contracts over the past years for contracts under $500,000, it gives us the ability to repair things.”
But trustees such as David Porteous are not ready to form an opinion on the issue yet.
“I look forward to discussing this with fellow board members,” he said. “I think it’s important for the board to review and make contract limits, but the question, is how much?”
