New science building to nurture talent pipeline for soaring STEM needs.
On May 31, 2019, UNC Charlotte broke ground at the corner of Craver Road and Mary Alexander Road for a new campus facility that, when complete, will reshape the way science is taught and studied at North Carolina’s urban research university. Shared by University leaders and faculty, staff, students, alumni, public officials, community partners and friends, the celebratory event represented the fulfillment of a commitment made in 2016 with the passing of Connect NC, a $2 billion infrastructure bond designated in large part to support the rapid growth of the state’s public colleges and universities.
“This one-stop-shop for our chemistry, biology and physics programs is an indisputable necessity,” said Chancellor Philip L. Dubois. “Skyrocketing regional employer demand for science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) professionals—compounded by enrollment that has nearly tripled since the 1984 opening of our existing science facility—requires a state-of-the-art solution, which this new building provides.”
Despite the 130,000 square feet of flexible classrooms and laboratories that will be available when the building opens in 2021, space will immediately be at a premium. Additional funding proposals totaling $45 million currently are being considered by the North Carolina General Assembly to renovate the Burson and Cameron academic buildings. If passed, the funds will make possible the updating of labs and development of co-working spaces for faculty and students that are on par with those of the new building.
Originally published June 3, 2019.