Skip to main content
Add as a preferred source on Google

UW-Madison Prepares to Build New Computer Science Building

  • By Matt Jones
  • 09/23/21

The University of Wisconsin–Madison announced recently that plans are in motion to construct a new building for the School of Computer, Data and Information Sciences. The facility is projected to cost about $225 million and will be funded by private donors, according to a university press release. It has already secured a $175-million private investment, and fundraising is underway for the final $50 million.

The new facility will measure in at 300,000 square feet and stand seven stories. It will house students in the computer sciences and statistics departments, as well as the Information School. It will also play home to the university’s Center for Throughput Computing, the American Family Insurance Data Science Institute, and the Department of Biostatistics & Medical informatics. Construction is scheduled to begin in 2023 and finish by December 2024.

“The School of Computer, Data & information Sciences is a place where our faculty and students will shape the way technology influences and enriches our lives,” said UW–Madison Chancellor Rebecca Blank. “We are fortunate to have the support of visionary alumni John and Tashia Morgridge and the Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation, a partner in extending the impact of UW–Madison ideas to the world, to build a new home for the school’s vital work.”

Last week, alumni John and Tashia Morgridge committed $125 million to the project, $50 million of it in the form of a challenge grant that would provide a one-to-one match to raise another $50 million from similar wealthy donors. The university has received another $50 million from WARF.

“This is an investment in UW–Madison and the state of Wisconsin that will help secure their place in our shared future,” said John Morgridge, a 1955 graduate of the school who currently serves as the president, CEO and chairman of the board of Cisco Systems. “Tashia and I hope our commitment will inspire others to see the transformative potential of this project and help get it over the finish line.”

According to a press release, the computer science major’s enrollment has grown from 200 to 2,000 over the last ten years. CDIS’ three main components have a total enrollment of more than 3,600 undergraduate and graduate students studying robotics, cybersecurity, software design, machine learning, information retrieval and more.

About the Author

Matt Jones is senior editor of Spaces4Learning. He can be reached at [email protected].

Featured

  • Illinois State University Breaks Ground on College of Fine Arts Transformation

    Illinois State University in Normal, Ill., recently held a groundbreaking ceremony for the Wonsook Kim College of Fine Arts transformation project, according to university news. The series of new constructions and renovations will upgrade spaces in Centennial East, the Center for the Visual Arts, and the Center for the Performing Arts, as well as replace the existing Centennial West facility with a new Commons Building.

  • South Carolina District Starts Construction on $50M Middle School Renovation

    The Aiken County Public School District in North Augusta, S.C., recently held a groundbreaking ceremony for the $50-million renovation and expansion of North Augusta Middle School, according to a news release. The project’s funding comes from the 2024 renewal of a one-cent sales tax approved by local voters.

  • Utah Valley University Opens New Engineering Building

    Utah Valley University in Orem, Utah, recently held a grand-opening ceremony for the new Scott M. Smith Engineering Building, according to a news release. The facility is one of the largest engineering buildings in the state at almost 200,000 square feet, and it plays home to the university’s Smith College of Engineering and Technology (SCET).

  • Minnesota Middle School Finishes $23.5M Addition and Modernization

    Highland Park Middle School in St. Paul, Minn., recently announced the completion of a $23.5-million addition and remodel project, according to a news release. Saint Paul Public Schools partnered with ATS&R Planners, Architects & Engineers for its design and Kraus-Anderson for its construction.