September 19-20, 2002

 

Board of Regents Policy: Physical Plant - Section 1003.7

This authority request is for an amount greater than $150,000, which requires the following additional information:

(a) Project Description:

This project will remodel and upgrade an existing Biology 101 classroom lab. The upgrade will allow the use of modern teaching methods such as computer modeling. The project involves new student work centers with data ports, new flooring, black-out window shades, a new prep space for assistants, new cabinetry, a projector screen, a smart podium and a lighting upgrade for computer use.

(b) Cost Estimate and Funding Sources:

Estimated Cost

Design $ 30,000

Construction $ 190,000

Contingency $ 70,000

Total Estimate $ 300,000

Funding Source: This project will be financed with non-state funds.

(c) Programs served, enrollment data, projected enrollments:

This classroom lab serves the Biology program. The only class taught in it is Biology 101N, The Biology of Organisms, multiple lab sections.

Department of Biology Enrollment History:

YearTotal Majors

92-93 538

93-94 650

94-95 771

95-96 804

96-97 820

97-98 739

98-99 718

99-00 667

In academic year 2000-02, Biology divided into two new departments: Cell Biology and Neuroscience and Ecology.

Cell Biology and Neuroscience:

YearTotal Majors

00-01 247

01-02 310

01-03

Ecology

YearTotal Majors

00-01 407

01-02 329

Source: Blue Book of Departmental Trends

 

(d) Space Utilization Data:

Standards for classroom utilization evaluation at MSU, as adopted by the Space Management Committee are for 60% scheduled utilization relative to both availability and occupancy. We assume any classroom is available 40 hours per week, of which 60% is 24 hours.

Lewis 107 contains 48 stations, of which 60% is 29 stations. Therefore, we aim for utilization equal to or above 24x29=696 Student Contact Hours (SCH) per week.

Class enrollment history yields the following results for 107 Lewis:

SemesterSCH per Semester (Goal: 696 SCH)

Fall 1999 736

Spring 2000 506

Fall 2000 736

Spring 2001 506

Fall 2001 824

Spring 2002 646

Fall 2002 606

Class enrollment trend indicates that the goal SCH is routinely exceeded in the fall semesters and neared in the spring semesters. Of the classrooms on campus that have been analyzed for utilization to date, this one ranks as a well-utilized classroom.

There will be no added space as a result of this project.

(e) Projected use for available residual space:

(Not applicable to this project)

(f) Projected O&M Costs and proposed funding sources:

O & M costs are expected be similar to existing costs.