Architectural rendering of proposed renovated library (Image courtesy of UP Marketing & Communication)
By Rachel McIntosh, Staff Writer -- mcintosh14@up.edu
The university is rising faster than it expected in light of a $4.8 million donation made on behalf of the estate of James and Marie Riopelle. The University has currently raised $113 million of its $175 million goal. This donation puts the RISE campaign ahead of its financial goal schedule and is one of the largest donations ever made to the University.
"We have been surprised about how successful the campaign has been," Vice President of University Relations Jim Lyons said. "When you think about how bad the economy is, it is a testament for the university. It shows how much faith people have in the university, and students and faculty should feel good about that."
The money raised through the RISE campaign will go to campus renovations, including a new recreation center and an upgraded library.
"Once we get the money we will start building as soon as feasible, but we will go all the way through," Lyons said. "We won't stop if we meet our goal."
The RISE campaign is on a timeline, which means the University will continue to raise money for the full designated 7.5 years even if the goal is reached early.
"When we announce a goal, we expect to exceed it and this campaign has taken on a certain life of its own," Lyons said.
Steps have already been taken in planning for the library. The blueprints of the new library can be found on The Library's homepage.
"We have completed the first stage of strategic design," Dean of the Library Drew Harrington said. "It's based on what we've heard from student and faculty on surveys and blogs over the last four years."
The renovations to the library will include 20 study rooms – there are only nine now – that will have moveable furniture to make study time more comfortable. There will be a Learning Lab on the upper level for independent and collaborative learning where assistants will be available to aid in the research process. An expanded Multimedia Lab will be located on the third floor so students can develop and edit different types of media assignments such as transferring video recordings onto a DVD. There will also be a Study Lab (Quiet Zone) that will remain in the basement like the one The Library currently has.
"It is a major renovation so we will not be able to be in (The Library) during that time," Harrington said. "It's going to be hard the year that we will be out of the building, but we are going to do the best that we can."
