Huntsman joined Utah County legislators at UVSC's current undersized library to make official a $46.75 million appropriation for a new 180,000-square-foot library at the Orem college.

"This is a remarkable day in the history of this great institution," Huntsman said. "As this institution moves to maybe a different status over time, . . . how important it is to have this intellectual infrastructure."

The $46.75 million is the largest appropriation in UVSC's history.

UVSC brass have pushed for state funding of the Digital Learning Center for nearly three years and celebrated the day by praising legislators and talking up the college's chances of becoming a university.

"These buildings just don't happen," UVSC President William Sederburg said. "This just doesn't happen by one person wanting it; it happens from a team of people coming together."

Chris Coles, UVSC student body executive vice president, said the library UVSC has now is inadequate for students.

"It has forced us to go to neighboring universities, whether we like to or not, and use their facilities," Coles said. "Now we will not have to go any further than our campus to increase our education."

Groundbreaking on the library is set for this fall, with completion slated for early 2009.