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CITY, ND – (NewsDakota.com) Officials at Valley City State University asked state lawmakers last week to keep them in mind for capital improvement projects on the campus as they enter the 2017 legislative session.

During the 2015 legislative session more than $40 million was appropriated for projects on the VCSU campus. One of these projects is the $14.2 million construction of the heating plant which is underway now on the campus.

But president Tisa Mason says the proposed funding for the construction of a new music hall and communications center is on hold due to state funding cuts.

Those projects are tied to contingent funding and can only be triggered once the state general fund ending balance reaches $126 million.

Earlier this year Governor Jack Dalrymple issued state budget cuts to balance the 2017 budget due to slumping oil prices and weaker commodity prices in the Agricultural industry.

Meanwhile, the Legislative Management’s Interim Higher Education Committee of the North Dakota Legislature will meet at Valley City State University June 7-8 to discuss this and other issues of interest to VCSU officials.

The first meeting will begin at 1 p.m. on Tuesday, June 7 in the Skoal Room of the VCSU Student Center.

The second meeting will begin at 8:30a.m. on Wednesday, June 8 in the Skoal Room of the VCSU Student Center.

Included on the agenda will be presentations and committee discussion regarding higher education budget issues, student financial assistance programs, the North Dakota University System campus master plan and space utilization study, and potential legislation to be recommended by the committee, along with updates on issues affecting Valley City State University and a tour of a few VCSU facilities.