Unveiling a hidden talent
Hanan Nasser sat in her family home, mindlessly sketching portraits of her siblings. In that moment, years ago, she realized she might have a hidden talent for art....
UM-Dearborn is in the initial stage of its $51 million capital outlay project to renovate and provide building infrastructure improvements for the campus's Science Building (SB) as well as parts of the Computer Information Science (CIS) Building.
The main project on tap is the rehabilitation of the Science Building, which was one of the original buildings completed on campus in 1959. Since the SB shares infrastructure with the CIS Building, renovation to parts of the CIS building is included in the project as well to update the mechanical, electrical and data systems and adapt both buildings to meet current teaching and safety needs, according to Kathleen Pepin, director of facilities planning.
"We are in the architectural selection stage right now," Pepin said. "The Request for Proposal (RFP) is awaiting approval from U-M's Architecture, Engineering and Construction (AEC) office. Once approved, we'll send the RFP to six pre-qualified Michigan companies who have a proven track record of working with science and laboratory educational facilities."
Pepin and other campus representatives will work with U-M's AEC to select an architect, which is scheduled to be completed by the end of next month.
In the meantime, Department of Natural Sciences faculty members will gather for an academic retreat in early April on the theme "Building for the Future" where they'll have a chance to discuss the department's anticipated needs for the coming years. The department has been growing steadily over the past five years, and in 2001, it instituted a master's degree program in environmental science. The growth in biological sciences has been particularly steep, with the number of declared majors having more than doubled to more than 500 students over the past four years. With the advent of the internet connectivity and newer, computer-based instruments for scientific investigations, methods of teaching, curriculum structure and pedagogy, and the range of available laboratory techniques have drastically changed.
A renewed facility would provide students and faculty with a venue to facilitate closer academic-industry and student-industry collaboration. Many of UM-Dearborn's undergraduate computer science students go on to join local industries. The revitalized Science Building will enhance undergraduate research experience, closing the gap between academic curriculum and the needs of an advanced work force.
In December, the state Legislature approved a bill that will partially fund the renovation of three U-M academic buildings, including UM-Dearborn's Science Building. The other two University buildings to receive funding are the G.G. Brown Memorial Building renovation project on the Ann Arbor campus, and the Murchie Science Laboratory Building renovation project on the Flint campus.
The state will provide $30 million toward UM-Dearborn's $51 million Science Building renovation project. Lawmakers limited funding to no more than $30 million for an individual project.
UM-Dearborn will raise the remaining matching obligation for the capital outlay project through the issuance of tax-exempt debt and/or private giving.
It's anticipated that the first phase of construction could begin in the fall of 2012. The time frame of the entire project will span through the fall of 2014, the expected construction completion date.
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