The Iowa Board of Regents unanimously approved Iowa State University's program statement and financial plan for a proposed campus-wide recreational facility enterprise, at its meeting today.

The $52.8 million project will tie all campus recreational facilities under a new organizational structure designed to improve accessibility, functionality and maintenance. It will be funded by student fees to be phased in over three years, contingent upon the regents' vote at its next regular meeting in December, which is expected to approve all proposed tuition and fees for academic year 2009-10.

ISU student leaders endorsed the project based on extensive surveys, open forums, town hall meetings and leadership input opportunities during the project-planning phase.