According to Jardine, the two higher-ed priorities most likely to make the Building Board's cut for the next session are a $71 million project at the University of Utah's Marriott Library and a new $37.7 million "digital learning center" for Utah Valley State College. Structural engineers in recent years decided the U. library is in serious need of seismic upgrades.

UVSC officials are asking the state for the full amount, while U. officials report having $22.7 million in "other funds" to help finance their project, which would mean the state only needs to pony up about $48.5 million.

Yet another lingering question Friday was about the regents' process for considering requests from smaller schools like Southern Utah University, which wants an $11.9 million teacher education center. Regents ranked SUU's project last on their list of priorities.

More than two-thirds of state funds for higher-education buildings since 1987 have gone to four schools, led by $178.4 million for Utah State University, $140.5 million for the U., $102.4 million for UVSC and $93.5 million for Salt Lake Community College.

Utah Commissioner of Higher Education Rich Kendell said he will take time to challenge "assumptions" regents make while prioritizing building needs.

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