UConn seeks five-year extension of UConn 2000, requests roughly $650 million in new bonding authorization

University of Connecticut leaders asked the Bonding Subcommittee on March 26 to extend the long-running UConn 2000 capital program and add approximately $650.5 million in bonding authorization to a five-year plan they say is needed to finish science buildings, address deferred maintenance and expand student housing.

President Brudanka Merrick framed the request as urgent to meet donor and industry timetables, saying a major donor insisted a new nursing building be completed within three years. CFO Jeff Gagan told the panel the program has about $67 million remaining under current authorization and that, in statute as written, UConn 2000 currently ends in fiscal year 2027. Gagan said the universityand UConn Healthhave spent nearly $5 billion in capital under the program since 1996 and argued a multi-year authorization provides the predictability that helps attract federal grants and private investment.

Gagan described program safeguards and state oversight built into statute: a project list in the statute (cited in testimony as section 10a-109 variants), annual bonding schedules coordinated with the treasurerand an executive approval step for the governor. He said the university submitted a formal extension request that would add about $650.5 million, producing a five-year program total of about $717.5 million when combined with the $67 million remaining. The governorhe saidproposed $90.5 million in the executive budget for the same priorities.

Committee members asked how UConn uses the state investment to leverage federal awards and industry partnerships. University officials answered that upgraded labs and buildings make site visits and award decisions more favorable for agencies such as the National Science Foundation and NIH and cited examples: recent Department of Energy awards and industry collaborations (Moderna, Biohaven, and other private partners) that they say bring research and clinical trials to UConn Health. Officials also described planned investments in Torrey and Gant (Gantt) renovations to expand lab teaching space and life-science capacity.

Lawmakers raised oversight questions about the statutory program structure and the bond commission process. CFO Gagan and other presenters said projects listed in statute limit what the university may pursue without further legislative action but noted flexibility within the annual bonding schedule to adjust timing and amounts year to year. Several members asked for consolidated schedules showing prior authorizations alongside the new request; UConn staff agreed to provide that detailed roll-up to committee offices.

Next steps: UConn staff said they would provide requested project-level schedules and clarifications to members; any change to the statutory program or authorization schedule would require formal action through the bond commission and, where necessary, legislative language.