It sounds like a lot of money: $1.3 million for a new house. But in the grand scheme of things, the planned update to the University of Idaho presidential residence is an important and necessary expense.
The current residence is 46 years old and has undergone only a few minor updates since it was built in 1967. According to the request submitted to the Idaho State Board of Education, the estimated cost of repairing and updating the current structure totals more than $500,000. The estimated cost of building an entirely new structure is up to $1.3 million, although the plan is to fund the project primarily with private donations. Ron Smith, vice president of finance and administration, said he doesn’t expect the amount needed from general UI funds to surpass $300,000.
“The facility serves as both a private residence for the president as well as a public venue for a variety of University-hosted events, ranging from intimate dinners to larger receptions for hundreds of faculty, staff and students,” the request reads. “This ‘hosting’ is an integral and important part of the president’s role as chief executive officer and chief fundraiser.”
And that is entirely true. The president is a figurehead, somebody who needs to be not only a voice for the university, but also a face. He needs to have a space that is functional for hosting members of the campus community, alumni and potential donors. And currently, in addition to needing over $500,000 worth of updates, the layout and design of the house isn’t feasible to easily serve as both private residence and public venue.
In a way, the president’s house is like the packaging on a product — it presents an initial impression about our value to people who are going to “buy” our product. That is, donate funds as an investment in our land-grant mission of education. We can either go with outdated, inefficient and nonfunctional “packaging,” or we can make an investment and present ourselves as up-to-date, efficient and functional.
It might seem like an over-the-top expenditure, especially in a time of budget crisis for higher education. But a new residence for the president is an important investment in the future of UI.
–KM