Higher Ed


Bitec Announces Merger with Viking Products Group

Roofing contractor Bitec recently announced that it will merge with Viking Products Group to expand the organizational efficiencies and sales distributions of both organizations, according to a news release. Roofing contractor and distributor customers will gain access to a wide array of roofing materials with benefits like recycled materials and a design allowing for ease of installation.

University of Miami Completes Renovations to Student Center

The University of Miami recently announced that renovations to its Student Village on the second floor of the Whitten University Center are complete, according to a news release. The Student Village plays home to departments and suites for student groups and organizations including the Veterans Resource Center, the LBGTQ+ Student Center, the Office of Multicultural Student Affairs, and more.

University of California, Riverside Breaks Ground on $285M Student Housing Facility

The University of California, Riverside recently broke ground on a new student housing project on its campus, according to a news release. The North District Phase 2 Student Housing Development will measure in at 424,000 square feet and cost an estimated $285 million.

Facility Focus: Kirk Kerkorian Medical Education Building, University of Nevada, Las Vegas

The Kirk Kerkorian Medical Education Building (MEB) is the flagship facility for the Kirk Kerkorian School of Medicine at UNLV and serves as an anchor for future expansion within the city s burgeoning medical district. With a diverse program that supports learning and collaboration at many scales, the new facility—the med school’s first permanent structure—allows the school to double its graduating class from 60 to 120 students and help address a shortage of healthcare professionals in the state.

University of Evansville Debuts Mental Health and Wellness Clinic

The University of Evansville in Evansville, Ind., recently celebrated a dedication ceremony for its new Mental Health and Wellness Clinic, according to a news release. The new facility includes the Emily M. Young Assessment Center, which provides advanced therapy and assessment services to the university and local community.

Construction Begins on New Campus for California Community College

The design-build team of Blach Construction, Quattrochi Kwok Architects, and Gensler recently began construction on a brand-new campus for the Gavilan Joint Community College District in Hollister, Calif., according to a news release. Gavilan was originally founded in Hollister in 1919.

University of Tulsa Opens State’s Largest Starbucks

The University of Tulsa recently opened the largest Starbucks in the state of Oklahoma, according to a university news release.

California State University, Northridge Starts Construction on New Student Housing

California State University, Northridge (CSUN) in Northridge, Calif., recently began construction on a new student housing complex that will add room for 198 beds to its campus, according to a news release. The project consists of two four-story buildings and will cost an estimated $55.7 million. The new facility is scheduled to open in fall 2025.

FAU Breaks Ground on Holocaust and Jewish Studies Building

Florida Atlantic University in Boca Raton, Fla., recently broke ground on a new facility for the College of Arts and Letters, according to local news. Construction on the Kurt and Marilyn Wallach Holocaust and Jewish Studies Building will begin in early 2024 and is scheduled for completion in February 2025.

REMEDI8 Spotlights Dust Control Mobile Containment Unit

Fire protection and compliance solutions provider REMEDI8 recently spotlighted one of its dust containment units for use in construction and other heavy-debris environments, according to a news release.

Catawba College Completes Renovation Project on Center for the Environment

At Catawba College, home of the first certified net-zero campus in the Southeast and only the seventh in the United States, the Center for the Environment (CENV) features the Environmental Studies Department’s hands-on research laboratory. Built more than 25 years ago, the building needed major systems and aesthetics revitalization.

University of Kentucky Holds Groundbreaking Ceremony for Health Education Building

The University of Kentucky in Lexington, Ky., recently broke ground on its new Health Education Building, according to a news release. The 500,000-square-foot facility will be the largest academic building in university history and house programs from the colleges of medicine, health sciences and nursing, and public health, as well as the Center for Interprofessional and Community Health Education. The building is projected to open in 2026.

Enabling the Future of the Campus Experience

This strategy for campus renewal and modernization was top of mind for the University of New Hampshire (UNH) as it embarked on one of its most significant infrastructure improvements in recent history––relocating a substantial portion of its utility distribution network connected to the Combined Heat & Power Plant (CHP).

Iowa State University Finishes Construction of On-Campus Solar Farm

Iowa State University in Ames, Iowa, recently gained a new 1,375-MW solar farm on its campus through a partnership with Alliant Energy, according to a news release. Alliant installed 3,300 solar panels on campus that will generate energy and provide opportunities for education, agriculture research, and more.

University of Hawaii at Mānoa Begins Construction on Student Housing Facility

The University of Hawaii at Mānoa in Honolulu, Hawaii, recently completed the first phase of construction on a new housing facility for graduate students, according to a university news release. Groundbreaking for the Residences for Graduate Students took place on Oct. 4, and the project will cost an estimated $170 million.

Spaces4Learning Launches 2024 Readers’ Choice Award Program

Spaces4Learning is now accepting entries for the 2024 Readers’ Choice Award program! The program allows you, our audience, to honor the best product development achievements of manufacturers and suppliers whose products and services are noteworthy in K–12 and higher education environments.

Clark Atlanta University Announces Construction of Three New Buildings

Clark Atlanta University in Atlanta, Ga., recently announced plans to build three new campus buildings simultaneously, according to a news release.

Here's a Transformative Trend in America that Must Not Be Overlooked

Construction activity on university campuses in America is more than noteworthy. In fact, it is being categorized as transformative! Due to a massive increase in students after COVID-19, a construction trend is sweeping college and university campuses in response to the high demand for more housing.

Eastern Michigan University Adopts AI Gun Detection Solution

AI-based gun detection video analytics platform ZeroEyes recently announced that Eastern Michigan University in Washtenaw County, Mich., will adopt its solution on campus, according to a news release. EMU is the first higher education institution in Michigan to install an AI gun detection solution.

Central Arizona College Breaks Ground on CTE Buildings

The Central Arizona College Superstition Mountain Campus in Apache Junction, Ariz., recently broke ground on a new campus expansion project, according to a news release. The project will result in new buildings for the Allied Health and Skilled Trades, as well as renovations to the existing C building.

UC San Francisco Moves Ahead with New Research, Academic Building

The University of California Board of Regents recently approved the design and budget for a new research and academic building at UC San Francisco, according to a news release. The $842-million project will move forward into the construction phase.

Facility Focus: WSU's Woolsey Hall Shapes Next Generation of Business Leaders

Home of The Barton School of Business, Woolsey Hall at Wichita State University (WSU) bridges the traditional academic campus with a newer complex of makerspaces, labs, and research facilities.

Architecture Firm Announces New Higher Education Leader

Baker Barrios Architects recently announced the addition of a new leadership position to its staff, according to a news release. William Maffett, AIA, NCARB, LEED AP, MBA has been named as the firm’s new national director of higher education.

Schools In Focus: Talking Campus Security with Mitch McKinley

Schools In Focus: New Acoustical Solutions — From the Top Down

Acoustics isn't only about creating quite classrooms. It's a critical part of the overall IEQ of a school—from classrooms to nurses' offices to administration spaces. New and better technologies exist to give schools solutions that achieve what is needed in today's world while keeping budget parameters in mind. These acoustical solutions start at the top with ceilings, and not all ceilings are alike. Join us as Sean Browne, Senior Manager of Research & Development for Armstrong World Industries, walks us through choosing the right ceiling to optimize acoustics for better learning experiences.

UAB Completes Phase I of STEM Complex Construction

The University of Alabama at Birmingham recently announced that the first phase of construction on a new Science and Engineering Complex is complete, according to a news release. The university is partnering with Hoar Construction on the three-phase project, which will unite all of the university’s basic science undergraduate and graduate programs underneath one roof.

Can Outsourcing Solve Higher Education’s Operational Challenges?

Today’s higher education institutions are faced with a myriad of operational complexities in the pursuit of academic excellence. Staffing, student well-being, maintenance, sustainability, and operations management challenges have only been amplified by the pandemic, decreasing enrollments, aging infrastructure, and funding constraints. The operating environment of educational facilities has undoubtably become more stressful.

FAU Temporarily Closes Building that Opened This Year

Florida Atlantic University’s John D. MacArthur Campus in Jupiter, Fla., recently announced the temporary closure of an academic building that was completed in Nov. 2022 and opened in January of this year, according to local news.

University of Cincinnati Plans Demolition, Replacement of Campus Landmark

The University of Cincinnati in Cincinnati, Ohio, recently announced plans to demolish and replace campus landmark Crosley Tower, according to local news. The 16-story concrete structure is set for to come down beginning in January 2026 to make room for a new academic and research facility.

Whitman College Aquatic Facility Adopts Atmosphere Audio Control System

Located in the heart of Washington state’s wine country, Whitman College in Walla Walla boasts an impressive academic record and an even more outstanding array of state-of-the-art facilities to attract and retain students and faculty.

Longwood University Completes Work on Joan Perry Brock Center

Longwood University in Farmville, Va., recently announced that construction work is complete on the Joan Perry Brock Center, according to a news release. The arena and convocation center measures in at 72,000 square feet, has a seating capacity of 3,020, and will play home to the university’s basketball program.

Chaffey College to Build New Library Learning Commons

Chaffey College in Rancho Cucamonga, Calif., recently announced a construction initiative that will replace its existing library with a new Library Learning Commons, according to a news release.

University of Tulsa Launches Oklahoma Cyber Innovation Institute

The University of Tulsa in Tulsa, Okla., recently announced the launch of the Oklahoma Cyber Innovation Institute, which will focus on research to identify, test, and develop new cyber-workforce and cybersecurity solutions, according to a news release.

University of Kentucky Introduces UK Parking MobilePay

The University of Kentucky in Lexington, Ky., recently launched a new service to help the community pay for parking at meters and visitor lots around campus, according to a university news release.

Wold Architects & Engineers Adds Three to Leadership Team

Wold Architects & Engineers recently announced that it has promoted three of its staff members, according to a news release.

University of Southern Maine Opens First On-Campus Dorm

The University of Southern Maine in Portland, Maine, recently celebrated the opening of its first on-campus residence hall and a new parking garage, according to local news.

University of Alabama at Birmingham Breaks Ground on New Engineering School

The University of Alabama at Birmingham recently announced that it celebrated a groundbreaking ceremony for the new home for its School of Engineering, according to a university news release.

Schools In Focus: Talking Campus Security with Mitch McKinley

Schools In Focus: You Can't Build Your Way to Net Zero

This episode’s guest is Lori Ferriss, architect with the Boston firm Goody Clancy and Chair of the AIA Committee on the Environment. We’ll discuss how colleges and universities can’t just build their way to net zero in the quest for carbon neutrality—it’s impossible to achieve carbon neutrality without reducing the operational emissions of existing buildings.

Solving the Challenges of Printer Jams, Card Waste, and Long Lines at the One Card Office

NC State University One Card offices face tough challenges trying to serve tens of thousands of students, faculty and staff. Every person needs an ID card to access various aspects of campus life, from entering residence halls and other buildings to linking to debit accounts and proving student status to participate in university activities. One Card office challenges include improving printer efficiency, reducing card waste, and eliminating the hassles of having to visit one central location to pick up cards.

UNT-Frisco Receives $3M Gift to Launch Campus Career Center

The University of North Texas in Denton, Texas, recently announced that it has received a $3-million gift that will go toward student scholarships and building out the university’s branch campus—Frisco Landing—in Frisco, Texas.

William & Mary Begins 10-Year, $700M Campus Improvement Plan

The College of William & Mary in Williamsburg, Va., recently announced that construction has begun on a ten-year project that will lead to the replacement or renovation of 80% of on-campus residences, according to college news.

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