Updates:

• November 10:  EEEL crane bases begin construction:  west sidewalk closed November 12 - December 3. Crane installations November 21-22 and November 28-29. details...
• November 10:  CHCP information added. details...
• November 10:  CCIT Expansion:  site set-up and minor road disruptions, piling scheduled for November 17 to December 5. details...
• October 27:  Campus Drive re-open for two-way traffic, CCIT Expansion starts - details...

Background and First Project Announcement:

Energy. Environment. Experiential Learning.

On July 9, 2007 the Government of Alberta announced that the University of Calgary will receive $260 million to advance the University's Capital Plan.  The money will begin to flow immediately and will be received in its entirety over the next five years.

This funding will allow construction of a new building, renovation and modernization of significant portions of space on campus that will be liberated by this new construction, and updates to the heating and cooling distribution system. When completed, these capital projects will result in:

• Much needed additional space to accommodate the 1,000 students in the suite of energy and environment (E&E) undergraduate and graduate programs that result from our successful Enrolment Planning Envelope (ACCESS) application in 2006
• New undergraduate biology and chemistry laboratories for students
• Additional space in various Faculties, Schools and Departments, configured in the ways needed to accommodate their expansion and growth
• Updated heating and cooling systems to support our capital program

The planning we have done so far suggests that we are best advised to contain the space for the new laboratories and the E&E expansion in one building. There are certain logistical reasons for this, including faster construction and decreased operating costs.  But, the primary reason for this decision is academic.  To date, we have tended to view ELC and the E&E expansion as distinct.  In reality, though, the dominant purpose of both projects is to serve the pedagogical needs of our students and, in particular, to offer additional experiential learning opportunities.  So, we are now planning a single building focused on providing space for 1,000 students in energy and environment programs, research activities of the Institute for Sustainable Energy, Environment and Economy and enhanced experiential learning opportunities. The easiest way to think about the proposed amalgamated building is that it will support what we have advertised as essential elements  of our Academic Plan - new ways of learning, experiential learning and the support of multidisciplinary activity and scholarship. 

Mike Boorman, our former Dean of Science, has been leading the planning of the ELC, and has garnered praise from all quarters for his thoroughness and his unrelenting consideration of the pedagogical needs of our students.  With this in mind, we have invited Mike to assume responsibility for the planning of the new building, and we are delighted to report that Mike has accepted our invitation.

The proposed building also provides space for many faculty members, staff and their research facilities, particularly those responsible for the supervision and instruction of students in our interdisciplinary graduate programs.  

Some of the $260 million goes towards new construction.  But, a significant portion of the funding goes to refurbish, for Faculties and Departments, a considerable amount of square footage liberated throughout campus as a result of people and activities that move to new space.  This additional space will help these various units accommodate their own growth and physical plant modernization challenges. 

The funding announced by the Premier is a very tangible statement of the provincial government's investment in postsecondary education. The money obviously goes a long way to helping us realize our Capital Plan.  For the U of C, the capital work that will result from this funding speaks strongly to our commitment to be a research-intensive university that puts it students first.

By the way, you may be wondering why we send out these messages informing the university community so close to the public announcement.  The reason is simple.  The government asks us to adhere to their timeline for the release of information about government funding and we respect their request.

A good day for the U of C and our students.  Thanks for reading.

Harvey P. Weingarten,  President
Alan Harrison, Provost