Due to considerable enrollment growth seen at Southern Utah University, specifically in the College of Science, the Cedar City campus is in need of an expansion that "would get all the science people under one roof," said SUU President Michael T. Benson. The school's project proposal includes a four-story addition, containing more than two dozen teaching labs, 41 offices, animal care rooms, a museum, a greenhouse and classrooms.

Other projects that made it to the regents' list of nine priorities include an addition to the science building at Utah Valley State College, a fine arts complex including a theater at the College of Eastern Utah, a new classroom and plant building at Weber State University's Davis County campus, a building for the College of Pharmacy at the U. and the Centennial Commons area at Dixie State College.

"We went through some of these buildings in great detail," said regent Meghan Holbrook. "In some cases, it's frightening." She said the group tries to consider the projects as fairly as possible but must make a decision based on the evaluation of criteria.

The list will now go to the State Building Board for consideration and further prioritization. From there, it will go to a legislative committee for approval and only then can lawmakers make a decision to fund any of the requests.

Last year, the Legislature funded most of the recommended projects, totalling $88 million.

Mark Spencer, associate commissioner of finance, said although last year was a great year for funding, it was an unusual year. Regents don't expect more than the top four projects, which add up to more than $130 million, to be funded.

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E-mail: wleonard@desnews.com