Supporters to press funding case for Evansville med school

Supporters of a medical school campus planned in Evansville say they're confident state lawmakers will fund the project even though a key state panel failed to include it in a list of spending priorities.

The Commission for Higher Education omitted the medical campus from a list of priorities it presented to the State Budget Committee on Thursday.

Indiana University, the University of Southern Indiana and Ivy Tech Community College are seeking a total of nearly $50 million for the campus that would cover about six city blocks.

IU spokesman Mark Land tells the Evansville Courier & Press that the university has had "constructive discussions" about the project with Republican Sen. Luke Kenley and will work to ensure the project moves forward. Kenley leads the budget committee.