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Plans for $100 million Mark Jefferson Science Complex touted as move to put EMU on national radar for teaching of the sciences

With the largest construction project in its history, Eastern Michigan University does not just want to meet a long-standing need to upgrade its science facilities for its students and faculty. It wants to become a national education player in the teaching of the sciences come 2011.

SPEAKING SCIENCE: Tamara Greco, head of EMU's
Department of Biology, addresses the campus crowd
and the media during a Jan. 23 press conference to
announce a $100 million Mark Jefferson Science
Complex. The new facility, expected to open in 2011,
includes renovation of the existing building as well as
the construction of a 151,000-square-foot addition of
science labs and research space.

The announcement that the University would spend $100 million to create the Mark Jefferson Science Complex — a renovation of the existing 182,802-square-foot structure and a science lab/research space addition of 151,000 square feet — came at a packed press conference in Welch Hall Jan. 23.

"This facility is intended to emerge as a national laboratory for science education and a regional source for educational personnel, school districts and science-based organizations and companies," said EMU President John Fallon. "This facility responds to the national call for better science instruction and outcomes."

"We couldn't be more thrilled. We're ecstatic by this decision," said Tamara Greco, head of EMU's Biology Department. "We're excited by the opportunities this will bring for us. This will be an opportunity to bring the sciences together and soften the boundaries between chemistry, physics and biology."

The new construction would cost approximately $73.3 million, with renovations costing another $26.7 million. The project will be primarily funded through the sale of bonds. The majority of the repayment of the bonds will be funded from the 4-percent tuition and fee increase approved by the Board for this purpose in fall 2005, said Janice M. Stroh, EMU's vice president for business and finance.