What Lies Ahead In The Future

Photo by John Solem

What’s in store for the future of UMass?

by Michael J. Messina

AMHERST, Mass. – As improvements continue at the University of Massachusetts Amherst, the future must always be kept in mind. Construction these days is inevitable, and as long as the university feels the compulsive need to better itself, it is very unlikely projects will not stop anytime soon.

There are many new innovative projects in place that are ready to be started in the near future. The university will continue to receive bonds from the state government so that improvements can be made.

“On September 26, 70 new projects were approved, to be completed in the future,” said Dan Fitzgibbons, editor of Internal Communications for the Office of News and Information. “Of course these projects will all need to be funded, and it generally takes years for the state government to approve the bonds that are used to finance the projects.”

Among many of the newly approved projects is the building of a new police station. Currently the UMass Police Station resides in Dickinson Hall, a building that was formally used for academic classes, but was converted for the UMass Police. Construction on the new police station will begin sometime in the near future. The plan is to relocate and move it next to the fire station on East Pleasant Street.

“What is unique about the new police station is it is going to be UMass’ first all ‘green’ building,” said Ed Blaguszewski, director of News and Information. “The building will utilize materials that are safe for the environment and will serve as a model for future projects on-campus.”

Also, by building a completely green building, UMass hopes to set an example for other universities. This idea began with the construction of the new campus power plant, which is considered to be environmentally friendly, and will continue into the future with construction of new buildings.

Along with the police station UMass will also see a new academic building. At this time it is still undetermined as to what department will receive this building, but the plans are in the making nonetheless.

It seems like funds for new projects on campus are everywhere. The state is currently planning to pass a $1 billion bond for the building of a new life sciences building that will cost approximately $95 million. This project is currently in the works of being planned, and it is looking like it will pass.

Many are in need of new buildings on-campus. Whether it is because their current facilities are in poor condition, or they simply do not have a building at all. Last spring the chancellor agreed to put $4.5 million dollars for a new building for the University of Massachusetts Minuteman Marching Band.

“We have been without a building since 1997,” said George N. Parks, professor of Music and director of the UMass Minuteman Marching Band. “Our home was the old chapel, but once the university deemed it was structurally unsafe we lost it. The university renovated Grinnell arena for the use of the band, but it simply is not enough space.”

The “power and class of New England” has been without a home for over 11 years now. Band members are forced to change in parking lots before football games, and have nowhere to store their uniforms. During the off-season, uniforms are stored in a facility that is located five miles from campus. A new building would finally unite the power and class, and would provide a place for band members to practice, store their uniforms and instruments, as well as provide offices for the staff.

“We are very grateful for what the university has done for us, but unfortunately in order for us to build a building that is adequate we need more,” said Parks. “In order to make sure we have the proper facilities, the building will cost $8 million. So far we have raised $500,000 towards this effort, and we hope that people will continue to be generous and donate.”

New Band Building slated to be built in the near future

Many departments and groups are in similar situations as the power and class in the fact that they have inadequate facilities. With the state recognizing the severe neglect the campus went through, the future of UMass is looking a lot brighter. New buildings will continue to rise, and improvements to current facilities will continue.

Financing The Future Of UMass

UMass Amherst

Where’s the money coming from? Am I paying for this?

by Michael J. Messina

AMHERST, Mass. – Last summer there were over 20 construction projects going on at the University of Massachusetts Amherst, many of them continuing on today. It seems like no matter where you go, construction is unavoidable. With all this construction going on, many students have begun to ask, “Where’s all the money for these projects coming from, and am I paying for this?”

As UMass moves forward into the future, it is necessary to keep making improvements in order to allow for competition with other universities. By making improvements it is hoped that the university will create a better name for itself and attract more students.

With construction popping up everywhere, many students have begun to question the universities motives. Many want to know whether the money is actually coming from their pockets, or if it is state funded.

“Most of the money we receive is actually through bonds that are issued by the state of Massachusetts,” said Dan Fitzgibbons, editor of Internal Communications for the Office of News and Information. “Many people seem to think that much of the money we receive is from the state directly, but that is actually a very small amount. The state legislature as well as the governor have to authorize these bonds, so sometime it can take years for the funding for a project to be approved.”

Photo by John Solem

Aside from bonds, the university also receives a small portion of funding directly from the state of Massachusetts as well as from the federal government. Sometimes the state of Massachusetts or the federal government will give grants to the university for a specific project.

“Recently the federal government granted $4 million to the university to be put towards a new PVTA Transit Center,” said Fitzgibbons. “The cost of the project will cost $5 million. The university is covering the remaining portion. Most likely this money will come out of the university’s budget, which has money set aside for projects like this. Along with the money granted for the transit center, the federal government also granted $2.9 million to be put towards a new nanotechnology center for research.”

For many years, the UMass campus was neglected. After a matter or time, state officials began to realize that the campus needed work. In order to ensure that students and faculty are provided with first class facilities so began the series of projects that continue into today.

Not only are improvements being made for this reason, but also to support academic programs. For the university’s position to strengthen, it must invest more in its academics programs, meaning better facilities will be needed.

When all is said and done the idea of a having a first class UMass sounds great, and seems like a smart financial investment, but does this affect the price that students pay? Many students have complained that their tuition and fees have increased, and they don’t understand why. In order to keep up with inflation, it makes sense that the university must do. The UMass Faculty needs to be paid, and the campus facilities need to be kept up.

While some improvements around campus may seem obvious, others might not be quite as clear to students. Many students living on-campus are living in dormitory facilities that are in need of updating.

In the fall of 2006, the North Residential Area was completed and opened to students. However, this only provided housing for 800 students, a majority of whom are upper-classmen, meaning that freshmen and sophomores would still be stuck with older residential facilities, some of which have not been updated since the 1970’s.

As freshmen and sophomores, students spend a good portion of their time in dormitories. With this being the case, many would think that the university would put more money towards housing.

“While students may not like construction because it is noisy, or causes their bills to increase, it is unavoidable,” said Jim Hunt, UMass Facilities and Campus Planning Communications Manager. “As long as improvements are being made to better the university, construction will continue on.”

As projects continue to be financed mostly by state issued bonds and federal grants, the funds will also continue to come from the UMass’ Campus Operating Funds. If students are paying into this fund, then perhaps in the future they should have some say to what their money is going towards?

Over $40 Million Spent On Campus Improvements

Photo by Ben Barnhart

What’s been happening on campus?

By Michael J. Messina

AMHERST, Mass. – This past summer the University of Massachusetts Amherst embarked on a journey to deal with the school’s aging infrastructure. Today, there are over 20 projects either in or out of production, with most stretching into next year.

“Over $40 million was spent last summer to improve the UMass campus,” said Dan Fitzgibbons, editor of Internal Communications for the Office of News and Information. “This does not include all the other projects that have been on-going for some time now.”

As students walk around campus many improvements that have been made can be seen. Some of the larger projects include the renovation of Skinner Hall, now home to the Nursing Program; the Central Heating Plant, which supplies 80 percent of the university’s electricity and provides clean and efficient steam power; and the Integrated Sciences Building, which is currently under construction.

Photo by John Solem

“One of the larger projects that is most obvious is the new Studio Arts building,” said Fitzgibbons. “A building like this has been needed for many years, and now the art department is finally united in one building. There was a point in time where the department was spread over a series of seven buildings.”

Photo by John Solem

Along with the larger projects, are a series of small safety improvements and repairs that took place over the summer. This is what much of the $40 million went towards. Some improvements include installing sprinkler systems and emergency lighting in buildings; installing fire alarms; renovations of science labs; roof repairs on Bartlett Hall; paving of parking lots and North Pleasant Street; and rehabbing classrooms.

Venture up to the north part of campus and the Lederle Graduate Research Center looks brand new. $8 million was spent on waterproofing the entire surface of the building. In addition, a biochemistry lab on the 12th floor is being renovated and will be completed in February, as well as the installation of a new chemical dumbwaiter.

Students living in the Central area of campus have seen some improvements this semester. Dorms Baker, Butterfield, Chadbourne and Greenough all had new sprinkler systems installed, new bathrooms, and were made handicap accessible.

In general, the overall feel of things is trying to be improved around campus. Students from the class of 2009 have seen vast improvements during their time at UMass, and students from the class of 2012 will continue to see projects popping up as well during their time at UMass.

“Overall, we just want the place to look better in general,” said Fitzgibbons. “The campus was neglected for so long, and buildings are growing old. In order for the university to improve and continue operating, the students and faculty need to be provided with safe and comfortable facilities to make sure that everyone is happy.”

Overall the feel of the UMass campus continues to become better. More effort is being put towards keeping up the grounds and making the school look presentable. It is hoped that this will establish a larger sense of pride in students that will carry into the future.

“The ultimate goal is to make your diploma mean more,” said Jim Hunt, UMass Facilities and Campus Planning Communications Manager. “I’m serious. In about five, ten, 20 years from now, the University of Massachusetts Amherst will mean more on your resume because of the reputation we are building today.”

As UMass’s need for competition with other colleges increases, it is likely that improvements will continue to be seen happening well into the future.