Jefferson City, Mo – Gov. Jay Nixon’s administration announced Wednesday (Jan. 28) that several planned construction projects at Missouri colleges and universities using money from the Missouri Higher Education Student Loan Authority have been suspended.

Among those put on hold indefinitely include a $31.2 million cancer center at the University of Missouri – Columbia.

Another 14 projects are in danger of losing additional funding or are under review. Missouri Southern is one university involved in the MOHELA deal, which called for part of the $350 million from the student loan authority to fund construction projects at schools across the state. Southern is currently constructing a health sciences building with a price tag of $11,923,879, using the MOHELA funds.

University President Bruce Speck said Wednesday night he hadn’t been notified of any withholdings for the project.

“I was in the office today and I was in there yesterday and I didn’t hear anything about it,” Speck said.

The 14 projects include a $21.6 million renovation at Truman State University, a $13.2 renovation at the University of Central Missouri, and a $29.7 renovation at Missouri State University.