CONTACT:
Chancellor Richard H. Wells, (920) 424-0200
OSHKOSH – The University of Wisconsin System Board of Regents physical planning and funding committee today approved spending nearly $1.2 million for preliminary planning and design of a new academic building at UW-Oshkosh.
If approved by Regents on Friday, Oct. 7, and the State Building Commission on Oct. 19, construction of the estimated $48-million facility to house the university’s College of Business and several College of Letters and Science departments could begin in January 2008 and be completed in time for fall 2009 classes.
The UW-Oshkosh Foundation plans to raise $8 million to go along with $40 million in state funds needed for the project.
“This is a historic day for UW-Oshkosh,” said Chancellor Richard H. Wells. “If the full board and the State Building Commission give approval, we will begin planning for the first new academic building on this campus in more than 30 years.”
Wells said the nearly 150,000-square-foot building would make a major dent in the campus’ documented 214,000-square-foot shortage of academic space.
“It not only will enrich the educational experience we provide students but also energize our efforts to integrate the teaching and research of our students and faculty with public service to the region,” Wells said.
UW-Oshkosh Foundation President Thomas Keefe said the project, if approved, will be the major component of the 134-year-old campus’ first capital fund drive.
“This will be a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for Oshkosh, Fox Valley businesses and organizations and our 64,000 alums to support a project that will further the academic excellence of this campus and help secure the economic future of our region,” he said.
Following State Building Commission approval, UW System and the campus will begin steps to hire an architect to design the facility. That could happen in about six months, said Thomas Sonnleitner, vice chancellor for administrative services.
Wells noted other recent campus improvements: a $19-million renovation of Reeve Memorial Union, a $16-million renovation of Halsey Science Center, a $12.2-million renovation of Taylor Hall and the soon-to-begin, $21-million Student Recreation and Wellness Center and $7.7-million parking ramp.
“All of these projects have helped solidify this campus’ position as a leading force for a strong future for the Fox Valley,” he said. “But this new academic building will be the crown jewel.
“By integrating disciplines such as economics and business so they can challenge and invigorate one another, by inviting collaboration with businesses, organizations and individuals that are all interested in improving the region and by providing a modern learning environment to produce leaders of the future, this building will become a catalyst for progress,” Wells said.
It also will free up space in other campus buildings to provide new opportunities for other campus academic centers, Sonnleitner said.
“After the College of Business moves into the new academic building, Clow Social Science Center can be remodeled to address overcrowding in the colleges of education and nursing,” Sonnleitner said. “The new building also will allow for the consolidation of several College of Letters and Science departments that are scattered across campus.”
Wells publicly thanked area state legislators, UW System President Kevin Reilly and his staff and the State Building Commission, which is headed by Gov. Jim Doyle, for supporting campus efforts to get the sorely needed academic building.
