The President of the Board of Higher Education says there’s a lot of misinformation circulating about the new information technology building being built at UND.
The Legislature approved that building to consolidate I-T serves system-wide. But a report surfaced that part of the building would be used for an office for the Chancellor of the University System, as well as a board room, a reception area and a kitchenette. And lawmakers are raising questions.
Board president Duaine Espegard says the change to the building plan does NOT change the purpose of that building. He says it is not meant to be a suite of offices for the Chancellor.
"It's a landing point for when he travels," said Espegard. "They will have a place to sit down and maybe have folks in. "
Espegard says the Board doesn’t believe the Legislature should have been consulted about the changes.
"If you change the purpose of the building, or change the cost or change the size, you have to go to the Legislature," said Espegard. "That's not what happened here."
Board members have been asked to appear before the Senate Appropriations Committee Thursday (2-7).
