Marshall doing something different

Sometime this afternoon, Marshall University officials are to gather at the Drinko Library to open bids on a new wellness center, dormitory and parking garage. The difference between this project and others is that private entities are to build and operate these structures on land owned by Marshall. After a certain number of years, ownership would revert back to Marshall.

Marshall President Stephen Kopp said private universities have done this for years, and this would be the first time a state university in West Virginia would follow this pattern.

Sounds good from here. Marshall's resources are limited. A few years ago, a member of the board of governors said the school's bonding authority was just about exhausted. Every cent paid in tuition at that time went toward retiring debt, he said.

So if this plan works, so much the better for Marshall.

That is, if Marshall gets any bids.