Texas Legislature Approves $100M for Health Sciences Center
The Texas Legislature recently approved $100 million for the construction of a health sciences building on the campus of Texas Woman’s University in Denton, Texas. The funds come as part of a $3.3 billion campus construction project approved for universities around the state as the legislature’s special session came to a close, according to a news release.
“This state investment is a game-changer for Texas Woman’s, as the new building will allow the Denton campus to expand programming in high-need, health-related fields such as nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy and mental health, just to name a few,” said Chancellor Carine M. Feyten. “The benefit will be felt throughout the Texas Woman’s University System by alleviating pressure on the clinical programs in Dallas and Houston as well, better positioning all three campuses to grow as we operationalize our status as the first university system in the nation with a commitment to women.”
The bill was added to the agenda’s special session less than a week before it was approved. Feyten thanked three Denton County legislators (Sen. Drew Springer, Sen. Jane Nelson and Rep. Lynn Stucky) for securing the funds on such short notice. During testimony before the legislature during its regular session, Feyten requested funds for a health science facility on the Denton campus. She said the building would feature classrooms, offices, clinical space and laboratories and that it would replace existing but aging health facilities requiring significant renovation or expansion.
The building is estimated to cover 250,000 square feet and will come with a price tag of $108 million. The legislature’s funding would cover 92% of that. Texas Gov. Greg Abbott must still sign the bill before it can take effect.
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Matt Jones is senior editor of Spaces4Learning. He can be reached at mjones@1105media.com.