The state Senate has endorsed a new medical school building at UND.
The price tag for the building is $124-million. Governor Dalrymple’s budget recommends adding on to the existing med school, at a cost of $68 million.
Sen. Bill Bowman (R-Bowman) suggested that the Governor’s recommendation is good enough to do the job.
"How much more are our future doctors and other medical people going to learn in this Cadillac, rather than in just a really nice new structure?" asked Bowman.
Sen. Lonnie Laffen (R-Grand Forks) says studies have shown that students learn more – and more quickly – in newer and cleaner facilities.
"The existing building was built in 1951," said Laffen. "I've done all the remodeling in it. It is a crappy building."
The vote was 34 to 13 – and the House will now consider it.