BOSTON – The University of Massachusetts has reached mid-point of the most comprehensive facility modernization effort in its history – a 10-year, $1.1 billion plan to dramatically enhance teaching, learning, research and student life throughout the five-campus system. The University’s overall facilities plan was approved by the Board of Trustees Committee on Administration and Finance today [Friday, July 26, 2002].
“The University, the Commonwealth and private philanthropists are combining resources to create first-rate facilities for our students and faculty for the 21st century,” University of Massachusetts President William M. Bulger said. “The results will be better teaching and learning, more powerful research that improves the lives of our citizens, and an economic shot in the arm for every region of this state.”
Nearly $600 million in projects-including new dormitories, multi-media classrooms, and research centers-will be completed by the end of the first half of the 10-year facility construction plan, 1997 – 2002. Approximately one-third of the cost was funded by the Commonwealth with the remaining two-thirds financed through University bonding and private contributions. Over the next five years, the University will complete between $500 million and $1.2 billion in additional projects, depending on the level of support provided by the state and private sources.
“Investment in the infrastructure of the University of Massachusetts is a long-term investment that will pay large dividends for both the economy and culture of the Commonwealth,” President Bulger said. “If we can leverage greater financing from outside the University, we will be able to dramatically accelerate the ascendance of the University. By doing so, we will strengthen the Commonwealth’s leadership position in the innovation economy.”
Among the new projects that have been completed since 1997 or will be finished by the fall are the following:
AMHERST:
– New management science building wing
– Computer science building
– Music department recital hall and fine arts center lobby renovation
– Computer networking for residence halls.
BOSTON:
– 10 new “smart” classrooms.
– Renovated University Club, including installation of state-of-the-art teaching and presentation technology.
– Modernized heating and ventilation systems that will make the entire campus more amenable to teaching and learning, but also save the campus an estimated $2 million per year.
– Renovated public spaces to brighten the exterior and interior of the facility.
DARTMOUTH:
– New marine science research center in New Bedford.
– New advanced technology manufacturing research center in Fall River
– Two new residence halls to serve 800 undergraduate students.
– New visual and performing arts college center in downtown New Bedford.
– Several computer classrooms.
LOWELL:
– New student center.
– New Athletic facilities featuring the Tsongas Arena, LeLacheur Park, and the Cushing Field football, field hockey, soccer and track & field complex.
– Business and technology incubator facility.
– Centralizing and upgrading administrative departments to provide better service to students.
– Upgrades to classrooms and construction of new laboratory facilities.
– Campus-wide landscape and parking improvements.
MEDICAL SCHOOL:
– 300,000 square foot Aaron Lazare Medical Research Building.
– Renovations to library, including the construction of the multi-media Goff Learning Center, which includes two 90-seat classrooms
– Creation of the Shrewsbury conference center and remodeling of the Eunice Kennedy Shriver Center for disabilities research in Waltham.
The following projects are among those expected to be completed by the end of 2007:
AMHERST:
– Integrated Science Building, which will modernize the chemistry and life science facilities.
– Large Millimeter Telescope in Mexico that will dramatically enhance the stature of the University’s astronomy program.
– Also new arts and engineering facilities.
– Replacement of the campus heating plant, which will save the University $2 million per year in energy costs.
BOSTON:
– The campus’ first campus center will be completed in late 2003 and promises to dramatically change campus life for students who currently have no central place to gather.
– Continued repairs of the parking garage and central plaza.
– Overhaul of the energy systems, which is expected to save millions of dollars in energy costs.
– Also in the discussion stage is the Boston Environmental Science and Technology Park to be located next to the current campus structure as well as student housing.
DARTMOUTH:
– A new building to house the Charlton School of Business, which will strengthen the campus reputation for business and management education
– Renovations to existing dormitories.
– Upgrades to the campus center.
– Upgrades to marine science center, improving the campus’ already strong position in this field.
LOWELL:
– New Graduate School of Education, strengthening the campus’ reputation for innovative approaches to K-12 education.
– New Alumni development facility, enhancing the campus’ ability to serve its 50,000 alumni.
– Development of the Lawrence Mills complex, continuing the campus’ efforts toward a sustainable regional economy.
– North Campus Residential Student garage.
– Upgrade of the historic North Quadrangle buildings with elevators, central air conditioning and improved infrastructure to accommodate Lowell’s technology-based curriculum.
MEDICAL SCHOOL:
– New 120,000 square foot Massachusetts Biologics Laboratory at the site of the former Boston State Hospital in Mattapan, keeping the Bay State a leader in vaccine development.
– 1,600-car parking garage in Worcester.
– Renovations to library, basic science laboratories and lecture halls at main Worcester building.
– Upgrades of research space at neighboring Massachusetts Biotechnology Research Park and at the Shrewsbury site.
– Energy efficiency improvements to main campus power plant.