3:17 p.m., May 11, 2007--University of Delaware President David P. Roselle asked state lawmakers on May 10 in Dover for $12.5 million for continuing renovation and renewal projects and for preliminary work for a new undergraduate research facility.
Included in the University's FY 2008 request to the Capital Bond Committee of the Delaware General Assembly is $9 million for the renovation of Brown Laboratory.
Located on The Green of UD's Newark campus, Brown Laboratory honors the memory of H. Fletcher Brown, UD benefactor and UD Board of Trustees member from 1929-44.
Home to the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Brown Laboratory underwent a $6.5 million renovation of its south wing in 1995-96. The west and north wings now require similar renovation that is under way and scheduled to be completed by the end of 2007, Roselle said.
“The state has thus far appropriated a total of $8.5 million toward the renovation of Brown Laboratory, and we seek a final installment of $9 million in the FY 2008 capital budget,” Roselle said. “The total cost of renovation is about $28 million, with the state providing $17.5 million and UD the remainder.”
Facilities renewal and renovation
The University also requested $1.5 million to support several renovation projects within UD's academic buildings.
“The University has 3.4 million gross square feet of academic facilities, of which 33 percent date back prior to 1960,” Roselle said. “The requested funds will be matched at least on a one-to-one basis through University resources, and will assist us in keeping our academic plant current and in good repair.”
Minor capital improvement
Roselle also requested $1 million for minor capital improvements for targeted initiatives in the colleges of Marine and Earth Studies, Agriculture and Natural Resources, Arts and Sciences and Engineering.
Areas of productive research assisted by this requested funding include the molecular biology of DNA repair and its application to genetic medicine and identification of specific genes involved in specific diseases and their control. Also included are biophysics and bioengineering, quantitative analyses of cellular processes, genomic systems engineering and biomechanics.
“With your assistance over the years, we have made significant investments in the equipment and facilities required to pursue this type of research,” Roselle said. “Continued support from the state will play an important role in improving our facilities and equipment in order to attract the very best faculty to teach and engage in research.”
Roselle noted that the University continues to look for ways to leverage state financial support through external funding for research, and that the University has consistently matched state support on a dollar-for-dollar basis through contracts, grants and gifts.
“I would point out that $1 million of the last two requests is equivalent to the $1 million requested in our operating appropriation,” Roselle said. “Again, it matters not whether it is appropriated here or in the operating budget, so long as the funds are restored.” The funds were appropriated to UD's operating budget in FY 2003 and FY 2004 and were returned to the capital budget in 2005 and cut from the budget for FY 2006, Roselle said.
Roselle also asked for $1 million in FY 2008 to support preliminary design activity for an undergraduate research facility.
“In order to provide modern teaching facilities for the laboratory sciences and to support research expansion in existing science buildings, the University is planning for a new undergraduate science building,” Roselle said. “We anticipate that the total cost of the facility will be in excess of $30 million, with costs to be shared by the state and the University.”
Roselle also described three major projects for which UD did not request state assistance, including the Center for the Arts, which opened in September 2006.
“The Center for the Arts provides the finest studio and performing spaces for both the music and theatre departments and will be a significant cultural addition to both the city of Newark and the state,” Roselle said. “The Center for the Arts is complemented by a new adjacent parking facility.”
Other projects built without state assistance are three residence halls and a hotel on campus. The three new residence halls on Laird Campus--George Read, Thomas McKean and James Smith halls--are named for the three signers of the Declaration of Independence who were students in the first class of the New London Academy, to which UD traces its origins. Also located on Laird Campus, adjacent to John M. Clayton Hall, is the Courtyard Newark-University of Delaware hotel, which provides a learning laboratory for students in the Department of Hotel, Restaurant and Institutional Management.
“We take great pride in our campuses and facilities,” Roselle said. “These physical assets exceed $1.4 billion and value and reflect careful stewardship on the part of our senior management team and facilities departments.”
Article by Jerry Rhodes