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Michigan State BOT funds solar arrays and Munn expansion

February 17, 2020
<p>The Board of Trustees begins their Feb. 14 meeting. This was the first meeting of 2020. </p>

The Board of Trustees begins their Feb. 14 meeting. This was the first meeting of 2020.

Photo by Maddie Monroe | The State News

The Michigan State University Board of Trustees passed five resolutions from the Committee on Budget and Finance including a solar array and increasing the budget for Munn Ice Arena expansion.

The resolution to construct a 20 megawatt solar array on south campus would have the panels built in the agricultural district and connect to the T.B. Simon Power Plant.

According to the resolution, the Board of Trustees, in 2017, reaffirmed commitment to the Energy Transition Plan. Also, by partnering with a private sector energy provider, MSU will be able to significantly increase its renewable energy portfolio.

"Once we have this array in place, with the 30 megawatts, we project it will save at least a million dollars a year and avoid energy costs," Dan Goldman said.

Munn Ice Arena's budget increased from $18.8 million to $23.2 million for the building's expansion project.

"Bids have been consistently over estimate and it became clear that the scale of the project, challenges of working through an active hockey season and conditions inherent in a renovation project impacted pricing more than anticipated," according to President Samuel L. Stanley Jr. in a memo.

The expansion will also include $825,000 in capital renewal.

The Trustees also approved the College of Engineering's Student Activities Building, and it will be located near the corner of Farm Lane and Mount Hope Road.

"It will provide expanded space for fabrication, a student design center with computers and a meeting space for more effective team collaborations. With a more open floor plan, this increased space will also provide opportunities for new competitions," according to the resolution.

"With the movement here in a larger shop facility we'll be able to accommodate more students and it will be at a bus route," Barb Francis said. "So, that will help with freshmen students in particular to be able to participate. The project is fundraised by the College of Engineering and they're prepared to proceed."

The board also passed a resolution to establish a Fund Functioning as an Endowment, or FFE, to the Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics. The initial $108,000 used to establish the department will be transferred from the department's discretionary fund.

Staff reporter Jack Falinksi contributed to this report

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