RAPID CITY - A $117.3 million plan to build science facilities and upgrade laboratories at South Dakota's public universities won final approval from the Board of Regents Friday.

Officials say the initiative will change the culture of the university system, saying that more laboratory space and new equipment are necessary to meet increased demands by students and instructors for research opportunities.

"I keep telling people we are in a Sputnik moment," Tad Perry, executive director of the regents, said, referring to the moment in 1957 when the Soviet Union launched the first satellite.

New buildings or major renovations are planned on each of the six core campuses, and research capabilities also would be expanded at the system's joint university center in Sioux Falls.

Following are projects proposed for area facilities:

* Black Hills State University, science building - $8 million in state funds

* South Dakota School of Mines & Technology, chemistry/chemical engineering. replacement and research building - $8 million in state funds and $10 million in other funds.

* South Dakota School of Mines & Technology, paleontology building - $7 million in state funds.

Gov. Mike Rounds and the 2008 Legislature would have to approve the program.

The initiative would be financed by $74.5 million in state bonds, with the remaining money coming from federal and private sources.

"We are trying to bring every one of the campuses to state-of-the-art status," Perry said. "This is as comprehensive an approach as we can make it, to get the science and engineering labs up to the most current standards, both for the benefit of the students and the faculty."

Jill Kary, vice president of the student association at Black Hills State University, said her campus is excited by the plan.

"That means on our campus we can hopefully expand our programs and give our students more opportunities to leave with the most current education and with a knowledge of the most current facilities possible," Kary said. "Facilities won't take the place of great faculty. You still need the teachers. But equipment and facilities are a vital part of the process if we are going to turn out South Dakota students who can compete for jobs with anyone."

Alex Brown, president of the South Dakota State University student association, said many students are excited about the potential upgrades.

"To have them focusing on improving technology and facilities is fantastic," Brown said.