UCCS to dedicate Science and Engineering Building tomorrow

It took more than a decade for the new Science and Engineering Building to transition from an idea to reality. [Photo by UCCS/University Advancement

The University of Colorado at Colorado Springs on Thursday will dedicate its new Science and Engineering Building, the campus's largest and most energy-efficient facility to date.

Work crews were still putting the finishing touches on the project on Tuesday, including a Foucault pendulum and other public art displays. Campus officials expect several Colorado lawmakers, CU regents, Colorado Springs City Council members and other community and civic leaders to be on hand for the dedication. Regent Kyle Hybl will be the featured speaker.

After the ceremony, visitors will tour the building and observe faculty and staff presentations. Classes are scheduled to begin in the new building when the fall semester starts on Aug. 24.

"The dedication of the Science and Engineering building is the culmination of more than a decade of collaborative efforts by university, community, state, and industry leaders," said UCCS Chancellor Pamela Shockley-Zalabak.

"This building is a cornerstone of the Southern Colorado Innovation Strategy, which seeks to invigorate innovation in our community and to educate the next generation of scientists and engineers."

The UCCS Science and Engineering Building is the campus's largest and most energy-efficient facility to date. [Photo by UCCS/University Advancement

The Southern Colorado Innovation Strategy, a partnership with other educational institutions launched in January, focuses on reinvigorating innovation in the region as well as improving education of southern Colorado residents, particularly in science, technology, engineering and math.

UCCS' new building will house the departments of biology, physics, and mechanical and aerospace engineering, the National Institute for Science, Space and Security Centers, and the CU Institute for Bioenergetics.

Additionally, the building will feature a K-12 center with imagination stations and computer kiosks to assist teachers and to encourage elementary, middle school and high school students to consider science and technical study. The leading-edge facility is the culmination of plans initiated more than a decade ago to update science teaching and research laboratory facilities at UCCS.

An existing Science Building dates back to 1981, and was built for a campus of about 5,000 students. UCCS now has 8,000 students and is one of the fastest-growing university campuses in the United States.

• Cost: $56.1 million. Of the total, the state of Colorado provided $20 million.
• Size: 156,000 square feet, the largest building on the UCCS campus.
• Energy efficiency: Solar power, high-efficiency heating and cooling and other conservation measures are used throughout the building. UCCS will seek Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification.
• Art:  In its foyer, the building will feature a Foucault pendulum, one of five in Colorado, and artwork by the California-based team of Louise Bertelsen and Po Shu Wang. Beneath the pendulum will be a black granite floor surrounded by a stainless steel border. Incorporated into the design are biofeedback electronics to connect the viewer with the artwork.