Campus excited about construction of new building

Two new programs are being planned at IU Kokomo as a result of new instrumentation and space added to the campus—radiographic technology and health information technology. IUK’s new chemistry major also will be aided s ignificantly by the new accommodations.

During the 1997 Indiana General Assembly, the building received an upgrade from concept to design status. The rough draft allowed the state legislature to approve $917,000 in planning and design funds.

The facility was designed by Indianapolis-based BSA Design, a company that has designed numerous buildings for IU campuses. During the 1999 legislative session, $13 million was approved to aid in its construction.

The two-level, 76,940 square-foot facility will house instructional and office space for programs in natural and allied health sciences, mathematics and the IU Kokomo Physical Plant.

The L-shaped configuration of the building forms two sides of an internal courtyard using the East Building and Kelley Center as the two other enclosing sides. The courtyard enhances the campus with a more collegial ambiance and serves as a focal point fo r students entering from the south parking lots and the parking garage.

BSA incorporated the suggestions of a science building committee comprised of IU Kokomo administration, deans and faculty. The committee visited several campuses across the country to see innovations and progress in science building designs.

“These buildings were recommended to us for their recent design and construction and their incorporation of open spaces into soft spaces—areas to attract groups of students as well as staff and faculty to foster a sense of community and to develop communi ties of learners,” said Robert Roales, assistant dean of the IU School of Allied Health Sciences.

The committee is pleased with BSA’s design in making full aesthetic use of the building’s setting along the woods overlooking Kokomo Creek.

“Students will have some very nice study areas,” said Roales. “There will be glass walls with great views of rolling grass and trees. Everyone is going to really enjoy the open feel of this building. It will not be the typical building one would associate with a science hall.”

Marcia Gillette, IUK chemistry lecturer, said at the heart of the building design was the desire to construct a “student-friendly” facility.

“We want students to have a sense of belonging at this university,” said Christian Chauret, IUK assistant professor of biology. “We want students to feel like they have places not only to study, but also to socialize among themselves and with the faculty. ”

A fund-raising initiative to supply equipment for the facility will ensure the building’s innovative form also will offer state-of-the-art function.

New science instrumentation will be used and the building will include a high-tech classroom, which can serve as a large lecture hall for approximately 100 students, or for other functions requiring the latest in audiovisual and computer technologies. The re will be more than a dozen labs accommodating biology, chemistry and physics classes and research projects. Prep facilities and a cold room will also be in place for preparation of experiments.

Two new programs are being planned at IU Kokomo as a result of new instrumentation and space added to the campus—radiographic technology and health information technology. IU Kokomo’s new chemistry major also will be aided significantly by the new accommo dations.

Roales said the campus is in the process of obtaining funding for a fully energized X-ray facility for the instruction of radiographic technology students. “Students will have the opportunity to have hands-on work with X-ray technology before they ever st ep foot into a hospital setting for training,” he said.

Health and information students will have the use of computer labs while coding students have the convenience of a lab designed to simulate a medical office.

New space also is planned for the campus’ Physical Plant.

“The new building will add much needed space for the maintenance trades to operate from,” said Lon Shroeder, director of the IUK Physical Plant. “With this new shop, we will be able to organize work much better and also be able to maintain parts and suppl y inventory more efficiently.”

Check out the building’s progress at this Web site:

http://www.iuk.edu/academic_program/arts_sciences/Nims/Building/SciBuild.htm