The CSU seeks $1 billion of one-time funding to continue to address the growing maintenance backlog of building and utility infrastructure systems that have passed their useful life. More than half of the academic buildings are over 40 years old, and many of these buildings are overdue for major renovation. As buildings and their associated systems age, the cost to operate, maintain and renovate the facilities increases. Antiquated systems are generally more expensive to operate than more efficient modern systems, and replacement parts can be difficult to obtain. Although CSU facilities staff do an admirable job keeping these aging facilities operational, they do so with limited resources, and increased funding is necessary to adequately address the needs of our aging facilities moving forward. In 2020-21, the state provided $325 million in one-time funding for deferred maintenance and energy efficiency, which is being used to address a small portion of our significant backlog of deferred renewal, improve energy efficiency and increase resiliency to enable campuses to better withstand and respond to climate change and utility interruptions. The CSU completes ongoing assessments and updates to our deferred maintenance inventory through a methodical approach using a third party with this expertise. Through these assessments, the CSU is able to develop a total, systemwide funding need. The assessment tool allows for the automatic addition of systems to backlog inventory as they age out past their useful life.
The one-time funding request will allow the university to address additional systemwide deficiencies, improve the reliability of systems and prevent costly and disruptive outages caused by system failures. In line with the overarching mission, system repairs and replacements will provide safer and healthier environments that support teaching and learning across all 23 campuses. These funds will also go toward projects that will improve the efficiency and effectiveness of systems, saving energy, producing fewer greenhouse gas emissions and improving occupant comfort and utilization. Major building systems that have exceeded the expected service life will be modernized to enable campuses to operate utilities more effectively, improve heating and air conditioning systems efficiency, reduce energy and lighting costs, reduce water consumption and greenhouse gas emissions and extend the useful life of existing facilities. The one-time funding will be spent on projects on a pay-as-you-go basis.