The Department of Communication and Journalism is seeking an estimated $3.7 million in capital improvement funds to renovate its 54-year-old building that department officials say is badly in need of repairs.
Rising maintenance costs and a demand for more space are key reasons for the request, made by the department to University administrators who allocate state funds each year, said Brad Hall, the department's chairman.
Hall said the building hasn't had a major overhaul since it was built in 1949.
"We're always fixing something," Hall said. "The roof is prone to leakage during rainstorms and the plumbing always requires maintenance."
The building's electrical, heating, air conditioning and plumbing systems are in serious need of repair, according to the department's July newsletter.
Hall said he and others in the department would like to see more classrooms and a second computer lab added to the building to meet rising student enrollment and to stay competitive with other universities.
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Such improvements could help get back the journalism program's accreditation, which was lost last fall partly because of poor facilities, Hall said.
He said the department has been pushing for renovations since 1997, and the accreditation issue is not the driving force behind the proposed renovations.
Hall said he doesn't know exactly when the department will receive word on the fate of the request for funds, but he is expecting news sometime next semester.
"It's a slow process," he said.
Hall said he is optimistic that funding will be approved because the amount requested is small compared to what some other UNM departments are requesting.
The department is also raising money through a pledge drive. So far, as reported in the July newsletter, an estimated $100,000 has been raised through donations.
