Ohio universities might find themselves with more funds than they had intended — thanks to the state.

A current plan being presented to Ohio Gov. John Kasich would give the University of Cincinnati $31.8 million for projects in 2012.

The proposal totals $350 million for construction projects of Ohio public universities and colleges, accumulated by a seven-member committee commissioned by Kasich.

Of the construction projects proposed, UC would receive $28 million for the renovation of UC’s College of Medicine’s Medical Sciences Building (MSB) — the state’s largest proposed college long-term maintenance capital project in 2012.

Other proposed projects include $3 million for roof repairs of the Health Professions Building, $1.5 million for UC Clermont’s Snyder Building roof repair and $2.1 million for UC Blue Ash Muntz Hall roof repair.

“[The goal is to] modernize the student learning atmosphere, particularly laboratories, to ensure that our students receive training in the proper environments that will keep them competitive in the 21st century global economy and reduce the ongoing costs of operating our campuses,” according to the Ohio Higher Education Capital Funding Collaborative.

The MSB rehabilitation project, which began in 2004 with the start of phase I, is set to finish phase II and start and phase III by early 2012 and finish phase III by Nov. 30.

“[Phase III] is basically the northwest quadrant of the building, mainly mechanical, electrical and plumbing upgrades,” said Dennis Funke, project manager for the MSB rehabilitation project.

The renovation will not be that noticeable because most of the work will be in the ceiling, except for some new visible sprinkler heads, Funke said.

Phase IV, set to start in December, will be the entire south end of the MSB, with basically the same renovations as phase III, Funke said.

The $28 million will not account for the entire cost of the MSB rehabilitation project, Funke said.

Officials at the other UC branch campus, UC Clermont College (UCCC), said they are excited to see some long-term maintenance funding.

“We need to replace the roof slated for the summer,” said Gregory Sojka dean of UCCC. “These funds would make us not use all of our own funds.”

UC’s proposed $31.8 million is the second-highest recommended funds in the state. Only The Ohio State University, with $82 million, was proposed for more funding.