Tennessee Tech advocating for increased state funding to address a growing backlog of campus maintenance projects that currently outpaces proposed budget allocations.
News and Public Relations Director Jonathan Frank said the legislature currently has some $71.7 million in the state budget for capital maintenance across all public higher education institutions in Tennessee. Tech expects to receive approximately $4 million from that statewide appropriation to address pressing infrastructure needs.
“It takes about $11 million a year just to keep that capital maintenance backlog static,” Frank said. “So in other words, with $11 million we can’t really chip away at that backlog, but we can at least stop it from growing.”
Frank said University officials continue to meet with legislators in hopes of boosting the investment before the budget is finalized. While the campus features a dedicated facilities team that maintains its buildings, there are interior space upgrades and mechanical system replacements that remain infeasible under current funding levels, Frank said.
“There are also mechanical, electrical, plumbing systems in some of our campus buildings that are due for upgrades or replacement, and we’ve not yet been able to address that under current funding levels,” Frank said. “So we you know, we continue to engage with our representatives just to make sure they see the great things happening on our campus, that they understand what the needs are, and they know what is possible with their support.”
The university is currently managing nearly $1 billion in capital projects and improvements initiated since President Phil Oldham took office. These larger construction efforts, including the J.J. Oakley Innovation Center and Residence Hall, happen alongside ongoing daily maintenance.
“Well I think it’s very important because we want to keep investing for the future and planning for those students who are not yet here,” Frank said. “And it’s not just an investment in buildings, it’s an investment in the university, and it’s an investment in our students.”
Graduates from the university earn the highest early career salaries of any public university in the state, and many remain in Tennessee to utilize their skills. The institution also produces the most teachers of any university in the state, making campus investments a direct benefit to the broader region.
“But when folks know the value that Tennessee Tech brings to the table I think they’re just able to help us, you know, to make decisions that ensure that we are equipped with the resources we need to serve our students,” Frank said. “And that’s what this is all about.”