A $30.3 million renovation of White Hall, home to West Virginia University’s premier physics department, tops the list of projects approved Friday (Sept. 11) by the University’s Board of Governors, enabling WVU to enhance academic and research opportunities in the science, technology, engineering and mathematic (STEM) disciplines.

The panel also approved reimbursement resolutions for the White Hall renovation project and a construction project for men’s and women’s basketball. The resolutions will allow the University to be reimbursed for costs incurred for design and construction prior to receiving financing, if needed. Both are part of the University’s Facilities Master Plan, approved by the BOG in December 2008.

Moving forward on other academic facilities aimed at strengthening WVU’s research profile and attracting top faculty, researchers and students, the Board also approved a $4.75 million laboratory/vivarium project at the Blanchette Rockefeller Neurosciences Institute, and a $7.4 million Neurodegenerative Diseases and Multiple Sclerosis Research Center at the Biomedical Research Center. Both projects are at Health Sciences and are funded by the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) through the WVU Research Corp.

“These three academic facilities projects are so important to the expansion of our research efforts in the neurosciences and biomedical fields as well as the STEM disciplines,” President James P. Clements said.

“This is critically needed space that will enhance some of our outstanding programs, increase research opportunities, allow for future funding partners and spur economic development – all hallmarks of a great land-grant research university,” he added.

Earl Scime, Eberly Distinguished Professor and chair of the Department of Physics, was elated with the physics project news. “The Department of Physics is ecstatic about the BOG’s approval of the White Hall project today,” he said. “The facility will provide critically needed space for growth of our nationally recognized research programs and significantly improved facilities for undergraduate and graduate teaching.

“We will also be able to expand our outreach to the people of West Virginia with a state-of-the-art planetarium,” he said. “This is an exciting time for physics at WVU and this new facility will serve as the foundation for a 21st century department of physics at WVU.”

White Hall, a six-story classroom building, was originally constructed in 1942 as the Mineral Industries Building. The upgrade will allow for new offices, research and teaching labs, a rooftop planetarium and clean lab. It will also be constructed using Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) principles which result in energy savings, water efficiency, CO2 emissions reduction, improved indoor environmental quality and other sustainable features.

It will be funded from Higher Education Policy Commission (HEPC) bond proceeds, WVU financing and/or existing capital funds.

Commenting on the privately funded basketball practice facility, Athletic Director Ed Pastilong said approximately $14 million has been identified, donated or pledged toward the project to date.

“The architectural design of the facility is nearly complete,” he said, “and construction will begin this fall if construction cost projections and other funding variables are realized. Private funding for the facility remains a high priority.”

In other action, the Board approved renaming the Davis College of Agriculture, Forestry and Consumer Sciences to the Davis College of Agriculture, Natural Resources and Design to better reflect the academic offerings and mission. Input from faculty, staff, students, alumni and friends guided the name change, officials said.

The BOG also endorsed new academic programs, including an online graduate certificate in digital marketing communications in the School of Journalism, a master of landscape architecture degree program in the Davis College and a master of science in the biomedical sciences at Health Sciences.

Interim Provost Jane Martin submitted $1.2 million in new Research Trust Fund (RTF) contributions for the Board’s approval to submit to the vice chancellor of science and research for matching funds from the state. Contributions from the first year will translate to approximately $6.5 million in investment in key research focused areas, Martin said.

WVU Foundation President Wayne King provided Board members with an update on private charitable support to the University and its affiliated organizations. Total donations for the fiscal year July 1, 2008 – June 30, 2009, including gifts in kind, were $58.5 million, down from $62.7 million in FY08. However, cash contributions and pledge payments totaled $54.7 million for FY09, up slightly from $54.5 million for the same period a year earlier.

King said a consulting firm is conducting an internal review of Foundation development operations to help assess the Foundation’s readiness for a comprehensive capital campaign. Results are expected later this fall.

Curt Peterson, vice president for research and economic development and president of the WVU Research Corp., briefed the board on the research enterprise of the University. Total sponsored funding increased 8 percent from $140.7 million last fiscal year to $152.3 million in fiscal year 2009, he said. Federal funding for sponsored programs was $88.2 million this year compared to $66 million in 2008, an increase of 34 percent.

Efforts to increase faculty competitiveness for federal agency funding through grant-writing seminars, workshops, faculty mentorship programs and external peer reviewers are paying dividends, Peterson added. The number of new competing federal grant awards increased from 103 to 128, and the amount of these awards increased from $24.8 million to $32.9 million – up 33 percent, he said.

“These metrics suggest faculty are having more success in getting larger proposals funded,” Peterson said. “Faculty also are having success in both receiving major grants and contracts or in developing relationships with external partners that lead to significant funding opportunities in future years.”

He also outlined significant progress in key research areas including identification technology, the WVNano Initiative and the Advanced Energy Initiative.

Peterson said a wide range of projects was selected for funding under the American Reinvestment and Recovery Act (ARRA). Between May 15, when the first ARRA award was announced, through June 30, 11 awards were announced totaling $3 million. By August, additional federal awards brought that total to $12.7 million, he said.

Faculty BOG representative Robert Griffith celebrated some of WVU’s internationally known faculty in his report to the panel, citing Chemistry Professor Ken Showalter’s research and publications in non-linear dynamics, and History Professor Robert Blobaum’s Department of Education grant to establish graduate programs between WVU and universities in Poland and Estonia. Dr. Griffith also pointed to Biology Professor Kasi Jackson’s Noyce grant for better preparing teachers in the STEM disciplines and Physics Professors Maura McLaughlin and Duncan Lorimer for their pioneering work in the study of pulsars and identification of new concepts in astrophysics.

Griffith and other new members were sworn in at the meeting, and President Clements was authorized to hire a general counsel and vice president for legal affairs, when that selection is made.

On hand for part of the meeting was WVU’s Chancellor for Health Sciences, Dr. Christopher C. Colenda, who begins his new role Oct. 30 as the newest member of Dr. Clements’ team. Clements said he plans to announce a new provost sometime next week, followed by a new chief information officer and a chief legal officer. Clements said he also plans to launch an electronic tool for offering feedback for WVU’s future strategic plan.

-WVU-

09-11-09