One of the first lessons of homeownership is the importance of taking care of what you have. Otherwise, systems, appliances, and structures deteriorate and become more expensive to maintain over time.
This also holds true for college campuses in what we refer to as "asset preservation." Central Lakes College's "assets" include our buildings, infrastructure, and systems. Staying abreast of vital repairs keeps our campuses thriving, operating efficiently, and our students safe, warm and dry.
Recently, in his priorities for the 2018 legislative session, Governor Dayton included $180 million in asset preservation projects for Minnesota State's 54 campuses, and a total of $94.5 million for capital projects. We are grateful for the support of the governor, our legislators and our communities.
CLC has three critical asset preservation requests:
• Repairing a worn and leaking east roof and HVAC, Brainerd campus.
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• Replacing the original boilers and HVAC, Staples campus.
• Replacing the original central and west roof, Brainerd campus.
Asset preservation is the top priority for our legislative request. It ensures that our operating dollars are dedicated to educational outcomes rather than costly repairs.
Also included in the governor's recommendation are design funds to allow CLC to reimagine key student services and academic support spaces on the Brainerd campus. The campus has not had a significant update since the 1990s, and changes are needed to serve today's students. Ultimately, our goal is to create a more welcoming, efficient, and engaging environment to promote the success of every student. The design funds will get us started.
CLC is your community college. If you are interested in seeing our vision, I invite you to visit one of our campuses. We'll be happy to give you a tour.
Thank you for your support.
Dr. Hara Charlier
President, Central Lakes College
