Construction of UF’s home for the Hough Graduate School of Business is scheduled to be finished this summer, but the building could remain closed in the fall due to lack of state funding.
William R. Hough Hall, the $23 million building next to Criser Hall, would not receive operating and maintenance funds from the state under the Florida House of Representatives’ state budget proposal.
Hough donated $10 million for the building’s $23 million construction. The remaining $13 million was covered by Public Education Capital Outlay, a statewide trust fund for construction at universities, schools and community colleges.
Although the construction costs are covered, UF does not currently have a plan for funding the building’s operation costs if state money doesn’t come, said Ed Poppell, vice president for administrative affairs.
Both chambers of the Legislature passed their budgets last week, setting the stage for negotiations in the coming days.
The cost of keeping the lights on is usually covered by the state, according to UF Chief Financial Officer Matt Fajack.
The Senate budget provides for the operating and custodial costs of Hough Hall, but the House budget does not.
“The Senate bill, in all categories, is better than the House bill,” Fajack said.
UF President Bernie Machen said in an interview last week that he hopes the Legislature doesn’t force the university into such a situation.
“It would be a horrible story to have a beautiful building there with nobody in it,” he said.
