State funding to support new state-of-the-art engineering center at OU

Oakland University is pleased to be included in the Michigan FY 2010-11 capital outlay budget bill approved in December, which will provide $383 million in state funding to support nearly $1 billion in university, college and state infrastructure projects.

Oakland has been allocated $30 million to help finance a $74.6 million engineering center. As the new home for the School of Engineering and Computer Science, this 127,000-square-foot facility will feature state-of-the-art classrooms and research space.

The building is listed as the top priority in the university's 2011 Five-Year Capital Outlay Plan, and will enhance Oakland University's support of global competitiveness of U.S. alternative energy, health care and biomedical, automotive, defense and other high-tech industries.

"We are extremely grateful that funding for the Engineering Center is included in the capital outlay bill, as we believe it will help expand our highly skilled workforce, advance research and foster technological innovation that will fuel the development of a 21st century economy in Michigan," said Oakland University President Gary Russi.

"The allocation of this funding demonstrates that the state not only sees the wisdom in investing in higher education, but also acknowledges the exceptional work being done by the Michigan's universities and colleges."

With state funding for the engineering center now in place, university officials will expedite financial planning, gathering input from campus stakeholders and developing a construction timeline.

In addition to meeting needs of the SECS, construction of the facility will help OU respond to record student enrollment that has continued for 13 years running. The project will complement other efforts to respond to student needs, including the opening of the Oakland University William Beaumont School of Medicine and construction of the $65 million Human Health Building, which is slated to open in the fall of 2012.

Oakland currently offers 132 bachelor's degree programs and 124 graduate degree and certificate programs. To learn more about all the university offers, visit oakland.edu.