Dear Colleagues,

Although we were admittedly very disappointed that the Engineering, Math,
and Computer Science Building construction funding was delayed in the last
Legislative Session, I am pleased to report successful
funding/authorization of our four other capital priorities.

Our first priority in Capital Maintenance was approved for spending
$1,600,000 on improvements (primarily HVAC) to Hunter Hall.  Our second
priority was approved for spending $1,300,000 for Central Energy
Distribution System Expansion and Improvement.

In addition, the university was approved to proceed with its top priority
projects which are Revenue Funded.  The university is approved to proceed
with the University Center Renovation and Expansion within a projected
budget of $15,000,000.  The university is also approved to proceed with the
Construction of Single Student Housing within a projected budget of
$13,700,000.

Upon approval of the UTC's l999-2000 budgets at the June 17, l999, meeting
of the Board of Trustees, we will need to finish with necessary
architectural and engineering preparation and move to seek construction
bids.  It will be a very productive (and perhaps noisy!) construction time
which we are about to enter.

The approvals above make possible the first phase of campus expansion
across McCallie as soon as we can handle property acquisition with
non-state funds. The improvements to Hunter will make a very noticable
difference.  The improvements and extension of central utilities will
create additional economies of scale in our utilities.

This $31,600,000 will create an another exciting era of improving the
learning environment for UTC and increasing access to the university.  I
urge your continuing attention and participation in the developing Campus
Master Planning for these and other projects -- and your continuing
patience with the temporary interruptions that the construction will start
causing in the middle of next year.

I am very grateful to President Joe Johnson and the Board of Trustees for
making these projects a priority for the U T system and to the Legislature
and the Governor for making them a reality. Thanks, too, to Richard Brown
of our campus for his excellent work co-ordinating the necessary planning
to get these projects ready to go.

Bill Stacy