PRESENT AND FUTURE CONSTRUCTION AT CAL POLY

Heavy workload on campus

The university plans to open more dorms and is waiting for news on funding for library and science centers

By Nick Wilson

Two major construction projects at Cal Poly are awaiting Sacramento lawmakers’ funding approval. At the same time, a $299 million housing complex, which will provide almost 3,000 beds, is six months ahead of schedule.

Cal Poly is waiting to receive confirmation on whether the state will provide $100 million for a new science building to replace the campus’ deteriorating “spider building,” constructed nearly 50 years ago and named for its arachnid-like shape.

University officials expect the Legislature to approve a revenue bond for the facility as it moves forward with next year’s budget.

“The science center has been reviewed by the Department of Finance, included in the governor’s budget and approved at all levels in the CSU,” said Larry Kelley, the university’s vice president of administration and finance. “The next step is to get the specific funding.”

Another project that depends on the 2009 budget is a $52 million Academic Learning Center. The university initially proposed a more expansive project that included two phases, but it will have to wait for money to become available for a second phase.

The first phase, with a $52 million cost, would be an attachment to the Robert E. Kennedy Library and include meeting rooms, classrooms and offices, Kelley said. Planning money is expected in 2009-10 and construction would occur in 2010-11.

As the university waits for that money, officials say they’re making faster progress than expected with Poly Canyon Village student housing complex. When finished, it will provide 2,679 beds for second- year students.

The first phase of the project, with 1,545 beds, is expected to be completed by this fall. The next phase of 1,134 beds should be done by fall 2009.

More than 3,400 students have applied for housing in the new complex, and the university will fill the rooms on a first-come, first-served basis.

Poly Canyon Village is being financed through student payments to residence halls. The state would cover the costs of the new science building and Academic Learning Center.

In 2008-09, officials anticipate 18,648 students to be enrolled with 5,357 of them living on campus, or 28.7 percent of the student body. By 2009-10, the university expects 35 percent of students will live on campus.

Campus housing costs now range from $4,190 per academic year for dorm rooms housing three people to $6,040 per year for residence hall rooms at Cerro Vista and Poly Canyon Village apartments.

A third project in the works is a $72 million renovation and expansion of the campus Recreation Center.

A fee increase of $65 per student, per quarter was approved by students in February and will be implemented when the facility is completed, expected to be fall 2011 at the earliest.