University of Minnesota capital request focuses on revitalizing facilities to enhance student success, patient care

For University of Minnesota students across the state, the institution’s facilities are more than just buildings. These spaces inspire learning and connection, foster innovation and bring academic excellence to life. 

The Board of Regents will discuss and act on the President’s recommended 2026 capital request at its October meeting. If approved, University leaders will pursue a $284 million request for capital funds during the 2026 legislative session. State support is essential to ensuring University facilities meet the needs of today’s students and tomorrow’s leaders.

The request includes:

• St. Paul Campus Center – $84 million from the state to replace the existing St. Paul Student Center and Magrath Library buildings with a highly visible campus destination that combines student union activities with meeting and event spaces, study areas, student health services and retail dining. The University would contribute an additional $42 million to the project.
• Dentistry Clinical Renovation – $100 million from the state to partially renovate Moos Tower, creating modern clinical spaces to enhance teaching and patient care for the School of Dentistry, the state of Minnesota’s only dental school. The University would contribute an additional $50 million to the project.
• Higher Education Asset Preservation & Replacement (HEAPR) – $100 million from the state to fund critical facility renewal projects. HEAPR funding was created in 1994 by the Minnesota Legislature to recognize the uniqueness and complexity of the buildings and properties owned by the University of Minnesota and Minnesota State.

“This capital request supports high-impact projects that enhance the student experience, uphold our responsibility to taxpayers and invest in the people — students, faculty, researchers and staff — who will drive Minnesota’s future success,” said President Rebecca Cunningham. “These facilities are vital to our mission today and essential to the long-term prosperity of our workforce, our research enterprise and the state of Minnesota.”

The University routinely seeks HEAPR funding from the Legislature because it is the most cost-effective way to protect and extend the life of facilities already funded by taxpayers, students and donors. Safe, modern buildings are essential to delivering the education and research students expect and deserve. However, decades of underinvestment in maintenance and renewal have left more than 25% of the University’s 32 million square feet of statewide facilities in poor or critical condition.

In addition to acting on the recommended 2026 state capital request, the Board will also review and act on the President’s recommended six-year capital investment plan, which aligns with the University’s new strategic roadmap and prioritizes renewing high-priority buildings, right-sizing campus spaces, investing in high-demand academic and mission-support facilities, enhancing student-facing facilities and services; creating inclusive, accessible and welcoming campus spaces; and advancing innovation in health sciences, agriculture, biotechnology and other research priority areas.

Also in October, the Board is expected to:

• Administer the oath of office to Regents Joel Bergstrom, Samuel Heins, Ellen Luger and Kowsar Mohamed.
• Spotlight innovative learning practices with Rochester Chancellor Lori Carrell; Caroline Hilk, director of the Center for Educational Innovation; Cassidy Terrell, associate professor in the Center for Learning Innovation on the Rochester campus; Dan Card, assistant professor and director of undergraduate studies in the College of Liberal Arts on the Twin Cities campus; and Kris Cory, associate director of first-year writing in the College of Liberal Arts.
• Receive an update on risk management initiatives from Katharine Bonneson, associate vice president for Health, Safety, and Risk Management.
• Start the development of the University’s FY 2027 operating budget with an overview of the budget process and model with Julie Tonneson, vice president and budget director, and Koryn Zewers, assistant budget director.
• Review the University’s new strategic roadmap with President Cunningham.
• Receive the annual philanthropy report with University of Minnesota Foundation CEO John Morris.

All in-person meeting attendees at the McNamara Alumni Center are required to go through security screening. Visitors are encouraged to allow ample time for the screening process. A livestream of the meeting and recordings of previous meetings are available at youtube.com/UMNRegents.

The Board’s Virtual Forum accepts audio, video and written input, which is shared directly with Regents and included in the Board’s public materials. The public is encouraged to visit the Virtual Forum to submit their comments. 

For more information, including future meeting times, visit regents.umn.edu.