01/26/1994 01:40 PM Senate HES

 CHAIRMAN RIEGER introduced  SB 229  (APPROP: UAA 600 BED DORMITORY)           
 as the first order of business before the committee.                          
                                                                               
 SENATOR KELLY, primary sponsor for SB 229, reviewed his sponsor               
 statement.  He emphasized the need to find a method of funding for            
 additional housing on the Anchorage campus in order to develop the            
 University of Alaska as a whole.  He stated that the housing should           
 pay for itself.  He explained the current attempt to put together             
 a plan with the Alaska Housing Finance Corporation, the Board of              
 Regents, and the University trying to incorporate bonding                     
 mechanisms with some cash infusion that would make it all pencil              
 out.                                                                          
                                                                               
 SHERRIE GOLL, Alaska Women's Lobby, supported the building of a new           
 dormitory on the Anchorage campus.  She addressed the issue of                
 students' safety in dormitories.  She suggested installing peep               
 holes and dead bolts in the dormitory to increase students' safety.           
                                                                               
 Number 117                                                                    
                                                                               
 BRIAN ROGERS, Vice-President of Finance for the University of                 
 Alaska System, stated support for SB 229 from the University of               
 Alaska.  The Board of Regents capital request to the legislature              
 this year does include some student housing in Anchorage, but not             
 the entire amount of SB 229.  He discussed the attempts at                    
 solutions to finance the dormitory.  He supported this                        
 appropriation.                                                                
                                                                               
 SENATOR RIEGER stated that the primary question with SB 229 is the            
 funding.                                                                      
                                                                               
 Number 184                                                                    
                                                                               
 SENATOR DUNCAN asked if surveys similar to the University of Alaska           
 Anchorage survey had been done in Fairbanks and Juneau.  Dr.                  
 Roger's said that an analysis of student demand in Juneau indicates           
 that Juneau needs fifty-two more beds, at a cost of $2.5 million.             
                                                                               
 SENATOR LEMAN requested information regarding the projected $50,000           
 per student per occupant cost.                                                
                                                                               
 BRIAN ROGERS explained that the cost includes common areas such as            
 food service facilities and study areas.  Furthermore, the cost               
 includes built in features anticipating heavier wear and tear on              
 the building.  He said that they are considering alternative                  
 funding such as private operation with joint use.                             
                                                                               
 SENATOR ELLIS moved that SB 229 be passed out of committee with               
 individual recommendations.  Hearing no objections, it was so                 
 ordered.