Board Approves Capital Outlay Request
HOUGHTON--The Michigan Tech Board of Control Friday (Dec. 15) approved
the University administration's 2002 Capital Outlay request for a $60
million Center for Integrated Learning and Information Technology. If
approved by the State Office of Management and the Budget, Michigan Tech
will provide $15 million of the total cost, with $45 million coming from
the State Building Authority. The Center will house the departments of Computer Sciences, Mathematical
Sciences, and Physics and would integrate information technologies, resources,
and competencies within all program elements. Integrating instructional
and information systems will allow for innovation in the ways faculty
and students engage in learning and teaching, conduct research, collaborate,
organize information, and create knowledge. The instructional space will incorporate distance-learning capabilities,
video-conferencing, video-streaming, and other internet technologies to
meet the rapidly increasing demand from downstate industry partners for
the development and delivery of continuous education for their employees.
The proposed project will include renovation of the existing 80,000 gross
sq. ft. Van Pelt Library and the 112,000 gross sq. ft. Fisher Hall with
construction of a new 140,000 gross sq. ft. addition that would link the
two existing structures. As part of the project, the University is applying,
through the City of Houghton, for a Michigan Department of Transportation
grant to provide a portion of the funds to build a skywalk over US-41
to provide student access to the central campus from Wadsworth Hall. If approved by the State, construction on the Center would begin in 2003
and would be completed during 2005. ###
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