Groundbreaking puts Master Plan in swing

ˇ ˇ Ground was broken for the new $44.2 million science building in a ceremony yesterday, marking the beginning of the 10-year expansion plan for the university.
ˇ ˇ “We are indeed proud to be here on this first step in the 10-year plan,” said Keith Campbell, chair of the Board of Trustees.
ˇ ˇ “This is the beginning of a process, the first in a series of projects to expand Rowan,” said University President Dr. Donald Farish.
ˇ ˇ Epic Management, Inc. was granted the building contract and Bovis Lend Lease was named as project manager for the planned 24-month construction.
ˇ ˇ Jay A. Harper, dean of the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, said that the new building will increase the capacity for science majors.
ˇ ˇ He added that new disciplines like biochemistry will be added to the programs already available through the College.
ˇ ˇ “Rowan will still be known for its teaching programs,” Harper said, “But we’ll probably become more well known for our science and engineering programs.”
ˇ ˇ Farish announced an additional $1.1 million in federal funding, obtained through a bill helped through Congress by Congressmen Rodney Frelinghuysen and Frank LoBiondo and Senator Frank Lautenberg.
ˇ ˇ Farish also thanked the Board of Trustees for their willingness to take a risk.
ˇ ˇ “Without their vision, this would not be possible,” he said. “They share our dreams for the university.”
ˇ ˇ “This building represents the university community working hand-in-hand with the architects,” said SGA President Ryan North.
ˇ ˇ The building was designed by Ellenzweig of New Jersey, Pa.
ˇ ˇ “It’s a beautiful building that includes the concepts and needs of our faculty,” said Harper. “It will allow our deparments to act at optimum.”
ˇ ˇ Farish called the building “a reflection not just of the architects, but of the faculty.”
ˇ ˇ Farish says he expects construction to begin within the month, despite it not being “the best time of year to be digging a hole in the ground.”
ˇ ˇ “When you have a good plan, the construction process- I’m sure- will go smoothly,” said Campbell.
ˇ ˇ “By the start of the spring semester, we expect to see something,” Farish said.
ˇ ˇ Biological Sciences, Physics, and Chemistry will be housed in the three-story, 150,000-square-foot building, which will include several state-of-the-art laboratories for biochemistry, mycology, botany, environmental biology, as well as a laser laboratory.
ˇ ˇ The new building, with the only planetarium in South Jersey, will also be used as an outreach to the community, offering a convenient location for local schools to bring field trips.
ˇ ˇ Construction is expected to be completed for a fall 2002 opening.

ˇ ˇ For more information on the science building and the Master Plan, go to the Master Plan link on the Rowan University website.