UpDate - Vol. 11, No. 25, Page 1
March 26, 1992
State support sought for pair of building projects

     University of Delaware officials asked the Bond Committee of the
Delaware General Assembly on March 23 for $8 million in continuing support
of two University construction projects-$6 million for the Lammot du Pont
Laboratory and $2 million for the Bob Carpenter Sports/Convocation Center.
     The request is $1 million more for the laboratory facility than was
included in the governor's budget recommendation for the University.
     President David P. Roselle, who made the presentation, said
"appropriation of the original request will complete funding for both
projects in the 1992-93 budget."
     The appropriation would build on "a special partnership" between the
University and the state that has resulted in many buildings on the campus
of benefit to the people of Delaware.
     "Through this partnership," Roselle said, "buildings have been built
through a combination of state and University funding, as is the case with
the Du Pont Laboratory and the Carpenter Center. We believe that such joint
funding is a model that the state should look to for other agencies and
institutions."
     The Lammot du Pont Laboratory, which will add a new,
65,000-square-foot chemistry research facility, is a $20 million project,
with $17 million to come from the state and $3 million to be raised by the
University from private sources.
     Because of its success in private fundraising, the University has
expanded its fundraising activities to provide $10 million in additional
funds for further support of chemistry, such as renovations in Brown
Laboratory, scholarships, equipment and faculty support. Thus, the
University's contribution to this $30 million project will be $13 million,
complementing the $17 million from the state.
     "This expansion in the scope of the campaign will support the further
development of a world-class chemistry department in the chemical capital
of America," Roselle said.
     The Lammot du Pont Laboratory is under construction, with foundation
work nearing completion and two levels of structure erected on the southern
portion of the building. Completion is scheduled for the spring of 1993.
     Completion of the $20.5 million Bob Carpenter Sports/Convocation
Center is scheduled for this August, the president said. This project
includes $12 million to come from the state and $8.5 million to be provided
from private and University sources.
     "Fundraising is progressing well," Roselle told the committee, "and we
should reach our goal by the time the building is completed.
     "Construction is far enough along that one can get a good feeling for
scope of the arena and the supporting spaces," he said. "It will be an
impressive and versatile building that will serve the University and people
of Delaware well."
     The president also outlined several new construction projects for
consideration in 1993-94 and beyond, including renovations to Robinson
Hall-the home of the College of Marine Studies and one of the oldest
buildings on the campus, and additional space for the Department of
Chemical Engineering, the College of Business and Economics and student
activities.