The Johnson Science Center will undergo a $40 million renovation beginning this summer to expand its current space and to update the old and technologically behind lab space.
According to President Schutt, “The money for our project is being raised from generous College supporters who appreciate the importance of our science programs. No student tuition dollars are being spent on science construction.” Science majors are applauding the decision to renovate the Center, believing that this has been “long overdue” and that the facilities are “not in great condition,” especially considering that the science building has not been renovated for over half a century. President Schutt agreed with the science majors, commenting that “[The science infrastructure is] seriously outdated, which makes it very difficult for science students and faculty to engage in 21st century science instruction and research.
Non-science majors have had more negative reactions to the news, calling the renovation “too expensive.” They believe that the $40 million could be put to different uses, such as renovating Young Hall, the main liberal arts building. President Schutt acknowledged the idea to renovate Young as well, saying “once all required funds have been raised for the science facility project, the College expects to raise additional donations to support classroom additions and improvements elsewhere on campus, including Young Hall.”
In the renovate
d Johnson Center, “there will be a significant updating of teaching labs, as well as an increase [in]their capacity, which will allow faculty to adopt the latest pedagogies in their field and provide an increase in much needed space for a growing student interest in the sciences…I am also pleased that the project will provide better support for faculty/student research, as well as substantially increase study areas and informal gathering space for students,” said Professor Douglas Light, Chair of the Biology Department. Michael Orr, Dean of Faculty, mentioned the College’s desire to “launch a long-awaited program in biochemistry and molecular biology.” This program will be made possible with the new science infrastructure.
“Monmouth College built a similar science facility last year that cost $40 million…and St. Olaf College completed one several years ago that cost $65 million,” said President Schutt, comparing the cost of Johnson’s renovation to other liberal arts colleges’ science building renovations. There was discussion of how else the $40 million in donations could be used. The Five-Year Planning Committee, which includes students, the Board of Trustees, faculty, and administration, decided that this science project was the most urgent.
