By Siobhan Murray
Writer
Years of deliberation have finally given way to the official approval for the construction of classrooms, laboratories and faculty offices on the southwest side of the Bertrand Library.
The Board of Trustees officially approved the construction of Academic West on Tuesday, Sept. 27 and construction should begin in late March or early April of 2012.
“I consider the creation of new faculty offices and classrooms the single most important issue we must address in the University’s physical plant,” President John Bravman said.
“This is a needed expansion in that lack of space for faculty offices led us not to be as competitive in hiring the best and brightest faculty,” Michael Davis ’13 said. “If a school like Bucknell plans to make the leap to the next level, it has to have facilities that are consistent with that vision.”
The University has been focusing on this project since 2006.Construction is supposed to last around 15 months and should be completed by fall of 2013.
The construction will be a Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) project,an internationally-recognized certification for green building initiative.
“I would hope this project is a first step to Bucknell becoming a greener campus,” Alex Sandoval ’15 said. “I know that’s something I would have noticed when choosing schools.”
The estimated cost of construction is $24 million, and the University has received a gift of $6 million from an anonymous donor that will contribute to the fund.