ANN ARBOR—University of Michigan Regents, at their June 15-16 meeting, approved these actions for building projects:

• The scope and budget will be expanded for the Institute of Science and Technology (IST) High Bay Building addition on North Campus. Last October, the Regents approved the proposed 20,000-square-foot addition. “Shortly thereafter, a combination of factors led to a reconsideration of the project,” said U-M Executive Vice President Robert Kasdin.

“Soil conditions at the site were going to necessitate the utilization of expensive footings. The College of Engineering concluded that if a 10,000-square-foot basement were built under the building, the structural needs would be addressed and important research space needs that would otherwise necessitate the construction of other new space could be addressed. The newly created basement space would house research functions for the Department of Materials Science and Engineering.

“Therefore, to save money and address academic needs, the additional below-grade space has been designed. The entire project is estimated to cost $9.7 million. Funding will be provided from College of Engineering funds, in addition to a gift of $5 million from the Gerstacker Foundation.

“This project will have minimal impact on parking since faculty and staff will be relocating from other College of Engineering buildings in this area.”

• Room 143 in the Chrysler Center for Continuing Engineering Education will be renovated, at an estimated cost of $525,000. “The College of Engineering intends to create a new administrative office suite,” said Kasdin. “The goal is to co-locate several staff members who handle corporate and government relations for the College, thereby achieving greater efficiency in these areas of activity.”

Contact: Wono Lee Phone: (734) 764-7260 E-mail: wonol@umich.edu