 |
|
North Campus to become health sciences quad
The University of Rhode Island received great news when the state’s residents voted overwhelmingly on Election Day to support a $50 million bond initiative to fund a biotechnology building on campus. This Center for Biotechnology and Life Sciences will drive new scientific discoveries, provide a well-educated workforce, and support technology commercialization in the growing biotechnology industry.
But this new center is just one piece of a larger plan designed to turn the north district of campus into a major hub for education, research and economic development in the health sciences. Over the next six years, we envision the biotech center being linked to new buildings for the College of Pharmacy, the College of Nursing, and the Department of Chemistry to form a health sciences quadrangle adjacent to Flagg Road.
The health sciences are clearly growing industries in Rhode Island with numerous opportunities for research and education ventures that will bolster the state’s economy.
With the operations of two of the nation’s largest pharmacy chains headquartered in Rhode Island - CVS and Brooks Drugs - the College of Pharmacy is well positioned for growth. Expanded and modernized facilities will improve education and help researchers develop new drugs to fight a wide range of diseases. In addition, the college’s popular outreach programs, especially those geared to helping the state’s elderly residents manage their prescription drugs, will be able to expand and link to home care agencies, nursing homes and assisted living facilities to help even more Rhode Islanders.
A new home for the College of Nursing will provide similar opportunities for growth. The continued shortage of nurses in Rhode Island and around the country makes it critical that the college make every effort to expand and improve its offerings. A new and better building will help to attract the best nursing educators, which will in turn attract more of the best students.
And because classes in chemistry provide the foundation for much of the rest of the coursework in pharmacy, nursing and biotechnology, it’s only natural that a much-needed new chemistry building be located on the health sciences quad as well.
By constructing adjacent buildings for academic programs with similar needs, efficiencies can be designed to facilitate the sharing of laboratory space and equipment and to encourage interaction among program personnel.
The total price tag for these new facilities will likely be close to $200 million in public and private funds, but Rhode Islanders will generate a significant return on that investment. By commercializing new inventions and intellectual property developed by URI researchers, the University will improve its revenue stream while also generating income for the state. And by providing trained workers to industries with workforce shortages, we can help to create an attractive business climate where more and more high-paying companies will want to locate.
The timing is right to launch these major capital projects. With the economy primed for growth over the next several years, now is the time to build for the future needs of Rhode Island.
By Robert A. Weygand
Vice President for Administration
