News Release

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November 18, 2005

Boise State Begins Construction on Interactive Learning Center

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Boise State University has begun construction on a new 54,000-square-foot building adjacent to its Multipurpose Classroom Building that will house a state-of-the-art learning center for students and faculty. The $13.5 million building is being financed through bonds issued by Boise State and repaid through pledged revenues of the university.

Construction crews started on the foundation for the four-story Interactive Learning Center earlier this month; the project will take approximately 16 months to complete, according to university officials. In addition to housing what has tentatively been billed as the Center for Teaching and Learning, the building will include a 200-seat lecture hall and 12 standard classrooms in addition to a multi-media lab, multi-purpose/distance learning classroom, visualization classroom, experimental classroom, and numerous study lounges.

In addition to academic functions, the building will include a food-services area, a convenience store and a coffee bar featuring a cyber cafe/study lounge. A wi-fi network for wireless Internet connectivity will also serve the entire building.

President Bob Kustra said Boise State�s most recent construction project is part of the university�s efforts to accommodate its growing numbers of students and provide them with a quality learning experience. �It will symbolize our commitment to our students to facilitate state-of-the-art learning with cutting-edge technology,� he said.

The Interactive Learning Center is one of the first manifestations of Boise State�s 2005 Campus Master Plan, which was approved by the State Board of Education in October. The blueprint for the future is part of the university�s vision and strategic direction to transform itself into a metropolitan research university of distinction.

The Center for Teaching and Learning will serve as a resource for Boise State�s faculty members, providing professors and other instructors with information on most current pedagogical methods, techniques and trends in the higher education field.

�Learning is a complex undertaking and even the best teacher may not succeed at reaching all students successfully,� Kustra said. �Our Center for Teaching and Learning will serve as a resource for our faculty to review new theories of cognitive development, to adopt learner-centered classroom practices, and to experiment with strategies for motivating learners.�

The project architect is Lombard-Conrad Architects of Boise and the design architect is Opsis Architecture of Portland. The construction manager is CM Company of Boise, which will manage the project.

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Contact: Doug Suddreth, Architectural and Engineering Services, 426-3464
Media contact: Bob Evancho, University Communications, 426-1643

 

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email communications@boisestate.edu

Last reviewed on Thursday, December 22, 2005