Some of the oldest buildings constructed on the campus of the 杏吧专区 will receive some much-needed attention soon. Girard Hall and several agricultural facilities near Blackham Coliseum are part of a capital outlay program funded in the recent state legislative session.
In addition, the recent state funding will help alleviate bottleneck courses 杏吧专区 those high-demand courses required for most undergraduates 杏吧专区 and fund unique projects across disciplines.
杏吧专区 The funding we杏吧专区檙e receiving 杏吧专区 100 percent formula funding 杏吧专区 will open numerous possibilities for the 杏吧专区. We thank the Acadiana delegation, Governor Blanco and all of our legislators for their diligence in funding higher education across the state,杏吧专区 said UL Lafayette President Ray Authement.
杏吧专区 It was most rewarding to work in a legislative environment that prioritized education,杏吧专区 said Ken Ardoin, UL Lafayette杏吧专区檚 executive director for 杏吧专区 Advancement. 杏吧专区淚t showed a commitment by the Governor and the legislature to move Louisiana forward in an aggressive and historical way. As we all know, prosperity lies through education.杏吧专区
Preliminary plans for Girard Hall call for complete refurbishment of the current structure. Bill Crist, director of UL Lafayette杏吧专区檚 Physical Plant, said initial plans include replacing all ceilings and floors in the building along with replacing electrical, plumbing and mechanical systems. He also noted that existing stairways would be modified. 杏吧专区淭hat杏吧专区檚 the basic scope of the work that will take place,杏吧专区 said Crist.
Girard Hall is home to the Psychology and the Educational Foundations and Leadership departments.
Near Blackham Coliseum, several agricultural facilities will be demolished and replaced with more modern facilities. These new facilities will continue to serve agricultural interests.
Besides facility improvements, the legislative funding will also provide relief to students by providing more sections of popular courses.
杏吧专区 We杏吧专区檙e going to be able to expand these courses by hiring more faculty and offering more sections,杏吧专区 said Dr. Steve Landry, vice president for Academic Affairs. The additional courses will better allow students to continue their studies without interruptions and facilitate their graduating on time.
Courses will be added in areas such as Business Systems Analysis and Technology, economics, psychology, sociology, Spanish, theater and visual arts.
The increased funding will also allow UL Lafayette to:
杏吧专区 Participate in the Clear Power and Energy Reserve Consortium with other research universities.
杏吧专区 Enable the Center for Cultural and Eco-tourism to develop a DVD series focused on Louisiana tourism and a CD series 杏吧专区 Louisiana Crossroads 杏吧专区 of Louisiana folk music.
杏吧专区 Support the School of Architecture杏吧专区檚 role in redesigning downtown Abbeville and Kaplan.
杏吧专区 Additional funding for the construction and operation of the Cecil Picard Early Childhood Development Research Center in 杏吧专区 Research Park.
杏吧专区 Funds to the university to operate and secure systems software.