State budget includes funding and support for Murray State University

MURRAY, Ky. – The state biennium budget includes funding and support for Murray State University, including a record amount of capital projects funding. These major projects are in addition to a new $45.5 million School of Nursing and Health Professions building in which construction will begin in the coming months. 

Items in the state’s biennium budget include: 

• • • • • Funding for a $60 million facility in order to construct a new Veterinary Sciences building within the University’s Hutson School of Agriculture to enhance existing and future programs in veterinary sciences. 

        • Support for Murray State University’s statewide Program of Distinction in Cybersecurity and Network Management, with an allocation of $10 million in funding for the construction, renovation and operations for the University’s Cyber Education and Research Center. 

        • An appropriation of $38 million for the construction of a new learning commons with a housing component. 

        • Base appropriations of $52.8 million for FY 24-25 and $56.2 million for FY 25-26 to Murray State, which includes a $1.8 million inflationary base increase each fiscal year. 

        • An allocation of $46.6 million in asset preservation and deferred maintenance that allows Murray State to complete continued facilities renovation and campus renewal projects.

        • Reauthorizations and authorizations for University (agency) bonding in the amount of $122.2 million to assist with items such as residential housing, athletic facilities, electrical systems, HVAC and water piping. 

        • The legislature passed Senate Joint Resolution 170 HCS in order for the Council on Postsecondary Education (CPE) to contract for an independent study with recommendations for the 2025 Legislation Session regarding a doctoral program for professional practice and licensure degrees in veterinary medicine at Murray State University.

“We are very grateful to our state legislators for their support of Murray State University through this biennial budget. This is a record amount of capital projects funding in one biennial budget as we work to improve our campus and we are very appreciative. Their commitment will assist us greatly with many important priorities for the betterment of our University and specifically to benefit our students, faculty, staff and region,” Murray State University President Dr. Bob Jackson said.

“We have phenomenal legislators, particularly those in the Jackson Purchase Region and the many alums serving, who support Murray State University and believe in our mission,” Murray State University Executive Director for Government and Institutional Relations Jordan Smith said. “We are grateful for their work and pleased with the assistance from the Legislature on many of our initiatives this session.”