Construction of the new Physics and Astronomy Building, adjacent
to Knudsen Hall, is set to be completed early this summer after
experiencing delays caused by progress on the project being slower
than anticipated.
The building, which was originally expected to be completed
before winter quarter, will house new classrooms, laboratories and
offices, mainly for astronomy.
Department Manager William Robinson said the project’s
delay will have no profound effect on physics and astronomy
operations, since it became “increasingly apparent” as
early as last summer that the construction would not be finished by
the scheduled date.
The delay of the estimated $45 million project which started in
September 2001 cannot be attributed to any particular incidents,
Robinson said.
Most astronomy classrooms and offices are located in the
Mathematical Sciences Building, which is close to but separate from
Knudsen Hall, which houses physics facilities.
The new structure will be a significant step in uniting the
departments in a physical sense, Robinson said.
When astronomy professors, administrators and graduate students
move into the building this summer, they will be connected to
Knudsen Hall by bridges and tunnels, allowing for increased
interaction between the department’s two sides.
The Physics and Astronomy Building will also have patio space
that will be used as a social gathering area, said Michael Jura, an
astronomy professor and vice chair of the department.
The department has been physically divided for too long, Jura
said.
He said he hopes the patio will help people from both branches
of the department network with others who have shared
interests.
“It will be possible for people to meet. Sometimes you
learn a lot by just talking and schmoozing,” he said.
Three lecture halls seating as many as 200 students, and two
small lecture rooms seating 40 will be available when the project
is finished, Robinson said.
Michael Rich, an astronomy research professor, said new teaching
space will make scheduling classes less of a nightmare.
Scheduling has been a difficult task because of the
department’s lack of classrooms.
“There will be beautiful spaces for sections to meet
““Â nice new space that will not be windowless. …
It’s going to be a miracle in terms of teaching,” he
said.
The building will be a “dramatic improvement in terms of
research,” as it will accommodate newer computers and
laboratories, he added.
The statistics department, which already has offices in the
Mathematical Sciences Building, will gain additional space in the
building when astronomy departs.
Jennifer Ono, a statistics administrative analyst, said members
of her department are eagerly anticipating the move.
“My office is in Math Sciences on the eighth floor, but we
have offices in Boelter, in Hershey. One of our faculty even is in
Geology,” she said. “The goal is to try and have us all
together.”
Robert Gould, an academic administrator in statistics with an
office in Boelter Hall, said he is excited by the prospect of being
united with his peers in the Mathematical Sciences Building, which
is adjacent on some floors to Boelter.
“I’m personally looking forward to seeing my
colleagues without walking down several flights of stairs,”
he said.