 "Photo: Asher Swan")
Construction on the $13.9 million Gibson Science Building began this week in an effort to support the College of Science and is anticipated to be competed in April 2011.
The state contributed more than $12 million, while $4 million came from private donations, College of Science Dean Robert Eves said.
Eves said private donations will be requested from health care providers to help supplement the building’s cost.
“It’s more a matter of finding the right people and getting them interested and involved enough in it to donate,” he said.
SUU contracted Big-D Construction, a Salt Lake City construction firm and sub-contracted Watts Construction, a Cedar City company, to build the Science Center, Eves said.
Eves said the center is needed because the College of Science has grown significantly and there isn’t enough lab space.
“We’ll be able to accommodate more students with less crowding and it will give us some open lab space where we can do undergraduate research,” Eves said.
A student initiative fundraiser has been organized for students to donate money to help fund the construction of the Gibson Science Building.
Eves and Professional Development Coordinator Cameron Brooks planned the student initiative so students could contribute.
Sen. Nate Anderson, College of Science, said the student initiative was created to give students ownership and pride in the building.
Anderson said the goal for the student initiative is to raise $15,000 per semester for three semesters from students.
Donation locations for the student initiative will be at basketball games, gymnastics games and on-campus donations drives, Anderson said.
The drives at the sporting events will consist of a table set up for science bowls, games between professors and students to raise money for the student initiative, Anderson said.
He said a committee for the student initiative is still being formed and the initiative will begin as soon as committee members are chosen.
Anderson said anyone interested in joining the committee is welcome to participate.
A committee consisting of representatives from the biology, physical science and nursing department are involved in planning details for the new building, Eves said.
The representatives of the committee are Ty Redd, professor of chemistry; Terri Hildebrand, assistant professor of biology; Rachel Smetanka, assistant professor of biology and Alan Pearson, assistant professor of nursing.
Smetanka said she is helping design the anatomy lab, histology lab and animal care facility in the new Gibson Science Building.
She said she was chosen because she is chair of the university animal care committee and a biology representative.
Anderson said there are plans for a lounge area and a walkway encased in glass between the new and old building.
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