Utah Legislature Approves New SUU Classroom Building
Published: March 09, 2021 | Author: David Bishop | Read Time: 3 minutes
The Utah Legislature, in its recently concluded general session, has approved funding to construct a new classroom building at Southern Utah University. The $43 million legislative appropriation will construct a 90,000 square foot building that will add 14 new classrooms, seven computer labs, eight teaching studios, and numerous faculty offices. The new building was previously approved during the 2020 legislative session but delayed because of the impact of COVID-19 on Utah’s economy.
“I am grateful for the members of the Utah legislature for their continued support of Southern Utah University,” said SUU President Scott L Wyatt. “It’s been a long year since this project was first approved by the legislature and this new facility couldn’t come at a more critical time. As SUU continues to grow, it is essential we meet the needs of our increasing student population. This academic classroom building will be a welcome addition to our campus footprint.”
The three-story building will be located on the corner of 200 South and 800 West, just south of the America First Event Center. It will house the Art and Design Department, SUU’s new Film Studies program, the History, Sociology, and Anthropology Department, the Mathematics Department, portions of the Aviation Department, and some faculty and staff members from other academic areas.
Approval of the new facility was spearheaded by the southern Utah legislative delegation - Senator Evan Vickers, Senator Don Ipson, and Representative Rex Shipp.
“I'm very pleased with the way SUU embraced the challenge to design and build a classroom building with an intentional eye to fiscal responsibility,” said Senator Don Ipson, vice-chair of the Executive Appropriations Committee. “SUU's facility management team has worked closely and productively with MHTN architects and the state's Division of Facilities and Construction Management to find new solutions for a beautiful building that is flexible, adaptable, cost-effective, and will meet the needs of SUU students for years to come.”
“The construction of the classroom building will not only greatly benefit SUU but it has the potential to really help the whole state of Utah,” said State Senator Evan Vickers, Senate Majority Leader. “New buildings in our state have become very expensive and the new SUU classroom building is a pilot project using a process that could very well reduce the costs of future construction projects. Congratulations to President Wyatt and his team for working with the state on this process. I also want to thank Senator Don Ipson for taking the lead in allowing this pilot project to move forward."
The design of the new building maximizes square footage efficiency and preserves much of the current Multipurpose Quad. Parking for the building will be in a new lot across the street and in the stadium parking lot to the west. Final design of the building has been completed. SUU will now coordinate with the state Division of Facilities Construction and Management (DFCM) to issue bid documents for selection of a general contractor. Construction is expected to begin in the summer of 2021. The building will be complete and ready for classes spring semester of 2023.