Campus Message 07.12.17

Dear Students, Faculty and Staff:

Earlier this year, the UIC Master Plan Advisory Committee provided recommendations -- “Envisioning Our Future: 2017-2027” -- to improve UIC facilities and grounds over the next decade. Our capital infrastructure must reflect the quality and impact of this institution if we are to achieve our educational, research and engagement goals; attract the best faculty and staff; and provide much-needed facilities for students. The first draft master plan was presented to internal and external stakeholders who provided thoughtful and constructive feedback. I expect the process to be completed this fall. In the meantime, I am pleased to let you know that two of the projects featured in the early discussions will be moving forward during the current academic year and you will begin to see construction activity on campus in the next several months.

A new College of Engineering building – the first new academic building on the east campus since 1991 – is the result of current and planned enrollment growth in the college. This modular-designed building will have a flexible capacity to meet changing needs and will include 50,000 square feet of new lab and office space to ensure our students meet employer demand for top-notch talent. Construction for the building will take place on the northeast end of Parking Lot 5, located along Taylor Street between Morgan Street and the Science & Engineering South building.

A signature living-learning community will be built near Harrison and Morgan Streets to provide residential accommodations for 500 students, more than 51,000 square feet of academic space (primarily classrooms), and 1,600 square feet of retail dining. The project will be entirely financed by a private partner (American Campus Communities). The complex of buildings will feature:

• Instructional spaces with “turn to team” design elements, learning oases, and a C-Stop.
• Among them, the largest 258-seat classroom can also be transformed into a flexible event and performance space.
• Residential accommodations will include a mix of traditional double rooms, semi-suites, and faculty/staff apartments along with study and social lounges.

This new facility will be located in Parking Lot 9 in order to be close to other residence halls and near the campus core.

Understandably, these construction projects will affect parking as well as traffic patterns in and around these areas. If you currently park in Lots 5 or 9, Campus Parking Services will contact you in the next few weeks with more information.

Both construction projects are scheduled to break ground in January 2018.

I want to thank the Facilities staff and everyone else who provided input during the design process for both projects. Their work is critical as we focus on achieving our strategic priorities and addressing the short- and long-term needs of our campus community.

Sincerely,

Michael D. Amiridis
Chancellor