Life Sciences Center funding on schedule despite budget cuts
Published Sept. 17, 2002
After almost eight years of budget finagling, last year MU finished procuring the $60 million needed to start construction on a new Life Sciences Center.
One year after its Sept. 8, 2001, groundbreaking, Michael Chippendale, interim director of the center, said construction progress is still on track with initial predictions.
The center, which has replaced a parking lot, is expected to be completed in May 2004, making it available for student use in August of the same year.
Funding for the project is being provided almost entirely by federal and state grants, Chippendale said.
"Of the $60 million total, $30 million will be covered by the federal government, which will be used up first," Chippendale said. "Then the second $30 million will be picked up by the state with money set aside by the legislature in the last budget."
Chippendale said he expects federal funding will be spent by June 2003, meaning a request will then be made to the state for more funding.
Despite a gloomy budget forecast, Chippendale said he expects the state to provide the necessary funds to complete the center on time.
"We're working on the assumption that the money will come through," he said.
In July 2001, Gov. Bob Holden promised funds would be released as needed, although he requested that use of state funds be delayed as long as possible.
When it is finished, the building will house all life science departments and will put MU on the path to being at the forefront in all of the life science fields.
The complex is scheduled to house portions of the College of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources, the College of Human Environmental Sciences, the School of Medicine, the College of Arts and Science and the College of Veterinary Medicine.
"I think once we get it up and going, it's going to be a good resource," said post-doctoral fellow of biology Bethany Stone. "It's going to provide a lot of undergraduate research."
Freshman Erin Shiloh said she thinks the Life Sciences Center "sounds like a great idea, and it's nice that the students don't have to foot the bill."
The only financial aspect Chippendale expects to be placed on MU is that of furnishing the building. If extra funds are required, they will have to come out of the MU budget.
This new, state-of-the-art complex is planned to house multi-purpose equipment rooms, greenhouses, teaching rooms, computer labs and a 250-seat auditorium. Facilities are also expected for DNA and protein imaging studies.
"The things that these new facilities are expected to house are really going to help MU to have the best life science programs around," freshman Lainey McGuire said.
