The College of Arts and Sciences will receive a new Integrated Sciences Building worth $37.55 million and see $57.2 million in renovations to existing science facilities by 2017.

The Kent State Board of Trustees approved a $94.75 million investment in science education and research, which includes construction and renovations for the science department.

The new Integrated Sciences Building will be used for research and teaching for chemistry, biology and physics.

The building will be constructed to meet the criteria for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Silver certification and will be 57,000 gross square feet with an additional 13,500 square feet of unfinished basement space for physics.

The Integrated Sciences Building will wrap around and connect to the existing Williams Hall and face the Student Green. The project is being funded by $5 million of state funding, $30.5 million in bond revenue funds and $2 million from the university’s reserve funds for campus facilities, according to a university press release. This project will start in 2015 and is expected to be completed in 2017.  

The building is the final installment in the Foundations of Excellence projects, which includes construction of the new College of Architecture and Environmental Design Building and building for Institutional Advancement.

The board also finalized plans for the new College of Architecture and Environmental Design building, which will be located across from Franklin Hall on front campus.

The completed designs designate 107,000 square-feet for the building that will be located on the Esplanade extension going toward downtown. The building is projected to cost $47.9 million. The university has received $3.8 million in private donations and pledges from the College of Architecture and Environmental Design and an endorsement from the university’s Joint Project Oversight Committee.

The board also approved increasing support for veterans and service members to go with Ohio House Bill 488, which is a plan to help veterans complete a college degree and reintegrate into the workforce. The new policy, effective Dec. 17, includes a student services office and supplies for a student-led organization for service members and veterans. The policy also promotes opportunities for internships and employment for service members and veterans through existing career services programs.

Contact Marissa Barnhart at [email protected].