As Minnesota State University Moorhead moves into its new science building, school officials remain hopeful the state Legislature will approve renovation dollars for the old one.
MSUM was scheduled to begin moving chemistry equipment into the third-floor labs this week, said David Crockett, vice president for administrative affairs.
The other floors should be finished within the next four weeks, he said.
The 2002 state Legislature borrowed $19 million for MSUM to add the Science Laboratory Building onto the 41-year-old Hagen Hall. With design fees and other contingencies, the total cost of the project will be about $21.5 million, Crockett said.
The new building, which has labs and two auditorium-style classrooms, will be more conducive to teaching and research, Chemistry Department Chairman Gary Edvenson said.
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For example, the organic chemistry lab will contain 13 fume hoods for experiments, compared to three in Hagen Hall.
"I won't say we'll have more research space in the new building, but it'll be more modern space," he said.
Roughly 2,000 students will take classes or work in labs in the new building, Crockett said.
A dedication is planned for homecoming weekend Oct. 1-3.
Meanwhile, MSUM officials still hope state lawmakers will hold a special session to address unfinished business, including a bonding bill that contains $9.6 million to renovate Hagen Hall.
"We still have our fingers crossed," Crockett said.
The Hagen Hall renovation will include new ventilation, heating, air conditioning, electrical and sprinkler systems.
Outdated science labs will be converted to classrooms, computer labs and department offices for faculty members working in the new science building.
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Rep. Morrie Lanning, R-Moorhead, said the Hagen Hall dollars likely would be approved in a special session. Gov. Tim Pawlenty recommended the project in his bonding proposal, and the House approved it as part of its bonding bill. The project also was in the Senate bonding bill that didn't pass.
Crockett said the bonding bill also contains $6 million in higher education preservation dollars for maintenance and construction projects at MSUM.
After meeting recently with Pawlenty and the House leadership, Lanning said he still has hope for a special session. He said it also was encouraging to see Senate DFLers send a letter to Gov. Tim Pawlenty last week proposing a one-day special session.
However, he disagreed with a comment made by House DFL Leader Matt Entenza that a special session needs to be called by July 6 or it won't happen.
"I don't think that's a magical date at all," Lanning said. "It could happen anytime this summer."
Readers can reach Forum reporter Mike Nowatzki at (701) 241-5528
