For Immediate Release USDA to Provide Loan for UOG Student Services Center Renovation/Expansion and School of Engineering Annex (Mangilao, Today) Officials from the University of Guam are excited to announce that a $21.7 million loan from the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) will significantly change how students experience service delivery and access opportunities for educational advancement. The loan is going to the UOG Endowment Foundation on behalf of the University to enable two separate, historic projects to get off the ground. The UOG Student Center will be expanded and renovated into a Student Services Center that will serve as a one-stop shop by fully integrating vital services into one facility. In addition, the University will build the School of Engineering Annex adjacent to the existing Agriculture and Life Sciences (ALS) building, which houses the College of Natural and Applied Sciences. At a press conference today, the Honorable Eddie Baza Calvo, Governor of Guam, the Honorable Judith T. Won Pat, Speaker of the 32nd Guam Legislature, and the Honorable Madeleine Z. Bordallo, Member of Congress joined Dr. Robert A. Underwood, 10th President of the University of Guam, Mr. David John, Finance Chairperson of the UOG Endowment Foundation Board of Directors, and Mr. Mark Mendiola, Executive Director of the UOG Endowment Foundation at the UOG Student Center Rotunda to deliver the news. Also present, were Mr. William Leon Guerrero, Chairperson of the UOG Board of Regents, Mr. Marcos Fong, Vice Chairperson of the UOG BOR, Mr. Joe Diego, USDA Guam Area Director and members of the UOG community. President Underwood said the start of these projects is a monumental step towards bringing the University’s vision for a 21st century campus to fruition. “The progress we are making will further position the University of Guam as the region’s leader in developing and supporting strategic linkages and alliances among key academic, business, corporate, civic, and government partners,” he said. As a proud UOG alumnus it is exciting to be a part of this historic moment in ensuring that our facilities are expanding and upgrading to support 21st century learning at the University. By providing a first-class learning environment and strong academic rigor our students will be able to contribute to and compete in an ever-changing global economy. The UOG Endowment Foundation is proud to lend its support in working with our local and federal partners to advance our mission, added Mendiola. Student Services Center The current Student Center will be expanded from 28,739 sf to 74,530 sf, and will be transformed into a two-story building. The new Student Services Center will not only offer an unobstructed view of the eastern shoreline of Guam, it will strategically group related offices to provide students with greater ease and access to assistance. The facility will also house leveraged programs to support overall student retention and advancement. The University Student Services Center will serve as a state-of-the-arts technology learning center that will support the region’s long term development of distance learning, web-based, and technology facilitated student learning at the post-secondary level. The expansion and renovation will include, but are not limited to the following offices and services which are currently located on different parts of the campus: • Admissions and Records • Enrollment Management and Student Services • EEO (Equal Employment Opportunity), ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act), and Title IX • Financial Aid • Graduate School and Research Unit Offices • Postal Services • Safety and Security Office • Student Government • Student Health office • Triton Bookstore • Common Dining Area with Food Vendors • Additional resources for student life activities such as computer labs and technical support, multi-purpose seminar/meeting rooms School of Engineering Annex Island leaders have recognized the severe shortage of engineers in Guam and the Western Pacific. With the projected demands of the military buildup on the island infrastructure, the need to build capacity for an engineering program is even more critical. The University currently offers a pre-engineering degree program. In order to complete their engineering degrees, current students must leave Guam. In most cases, many of them opt not to return home. The University has approved the development of a four-year engineering program and the creation of the School of Engineering Annex to house the program to meet accreditation requirements. The two-story 16,491 sf facility will be built adjacent to the University’s existing ALS building. The building will include: • Three Classrooms • Four Science labs • One Computer lab • Faculty offices • Conference room • Administration Areas • Student Project Room The classrooms and labs of this annex will also serve other academic programs to maximize their use. For more information, please contact Norman Analista, Director, Development & Alumni Affairs, University of Guam at 735-2586 or 735-2991, or via email at [email protected]. ###
Posted on: Fri, 24 Oct 2014 03:53:21 +0000
Trending Topics
Recently Viewed Topics
© 2015