Momentum is building around New Complex

by Marisol Yanez

Soon days of hot classrooms and crumbling walls will be a distant memory for the students and faculty of UIW currently studying in the old Science Hall. Construction of the new Mathematics, Science and Engineering complex is progressing on schedule and will soon be the new home for those in the school. The new building will provide the Chemistry and Biology departments more space, and feature the latest technology for teaching and research labs to all that major in these areas.

Architectural model of Math, Science, and Engineering complex.

The new complex will have five floors and provide 90,000 sq. ft. of space. The project includes two phases – the first phase being the new building and the second phase the renovation to the existing building.

“Excitement is building among students and faculty over the new construction project,” said Dr. Robert Connelly, dean of the School of Mathematics, Science and Engineering. “The faculty is very excited about the prospect of the new state-of-the-art facility and being able to double the existing space.”

Students on campus are just as excited about the new building and have only positive things to say about the project. Minh-Hieu Pham, a sophomore biology major, says, “I think the new building will be good, because it will provide the new technology needed for these majors.”

Many students like the fact that so many new buildings have gone up on campus in the last few years, like the new five-story ICC Building II, which houses the new bookstore and the prestigious Sky Room. They also embrace the idea of older buildings being replaced or renovated to accommodate their needs.

“I think it’s good for the students, because the new buildings will upgrade us and hopefully encourage students to be more involved in class,” says Tracey Filippone, a freshman at UIW.

Although the Science Hall is one of UIW’s oldest buildings, it is still a part of University history and therefore will be renovated. The renovations to the already existing Science Hall should be complete by 2006.

Students and faculty can expect to move into the new Mathematics, Science and Engineering complex by the fall of 2005 if all continues to go well. The new facility is being constructed by McChesney Architects, a local firm that has developed a majority of the building projects at the university over the last 15 years.

“Architecturally, we are trying to blend it in with the adjacent buildings,” said Mike McChesney, architect. “One unique feature will be the sofas and chairs on each floor to allow the students to study in an informal setting and give them the opportunity to interact with the faculty.”

The price tag for the entire project is $14 million. As a result of vigorous fundraising efforts in the past few years, the university has nearly reached that goal. However, gifts and donations are still needed for the campaign. Special opportunities still exist for naming chairs and rooms in the new facility in honor of friends or loved ones.