November 16-18, 2005

ITEM 129-2005-R1105    Authorization to Renovate Portions of Cooley Lab; Montana State University-Bozeman

THAT: Consistent with the provisions of MCA 18-2-102 2(c), the Board of Regents of Higher Education authorizes MSU to renovate portions of Cooley Lab to provide modern laboratory facilities to support research grant functions. The estimated cost for this project is $5,000,000.

EXPLANATION: 1. Cooley Lab was constructed in 1960 and has had no major renovation work over the years. The building houses labs primarily assigned to the Microbiology Dept.

2.       The Microbiology Dept has received a grant from NIH to be used to renovate existing laboratories in Cooley Lab. Upgrading the laboratories will allow the faculty to conduct productive research at the highest level and also increase the ability to attract and retain the highest quality faculty and students.

3.       The integration of the instructional and research environments greatly enhances the academic experience for all students.

4.       This project will be financed with $4,000,000 in NIH grant funds and $1,000,000 in non-state Facilities and Administrative (F&A) funds recovered from externally funded grants and contracts.

This project requires the authorization of the Board of Regents and the consent of the Governor.