The regents' recommendation now goes to the State Building Board and Gov. Jon Huntsman Jr., before ending up with lawmakers when they convene in January.

Weber State University's $25 million classroom building was the regents' top construction priority. The College of Eastern Utah's $16.5 million fine arts building ranks second, but there's a catch. Private donors have pledged $11.5 million toward the cost of the building; unless those pledges turn into actual cash, the regents won't ask the state for funding.

CEU President Ryan Thomas told regents that southeastern Utah's declining population adversely affects his two-year college in Price. To remain fiscally sound, he must attract and retain more than 60 percent of the school's 1,500 full-time students from outside CEU's four-county service area.

"The safety, efficiency and attractiveness of campus facilities are increasingly important as potential students compare us with other schools," Thomas said.

Each of the college presidents, with the exception of Utah College of Applied Technology's leader, presented polished multimedia presentations Thursday, showing leaky pipes, cracking concrete and other safety risks as reasons why their projects should come first.

Salt Lake Community College President Cynthia Bioteau wants a new digital design and communication center at the South City Campus. The $42.7 million facility, No. 5 on the regents' list, has little chance of getting funds in 2006. Still, she gave the project's ranking system high marks, saying it helps each school focus on qualifying criteria.

"As a group of 10 presidents, we have agreed to look at it objectively and support each other's needs," she said. "That's what we are doing."

sykes@sltrib.com