Florida A&M University News June 17, 2015 Legislature Provides Capital Funding for New FAMU Student Affairs Building and Completion of Pharmacy Phase II Building During the final hours of the 2015 special legislative session, the Florida Legislature approved several items that will help enhance the University's capacity for academic excellence. Approved items include $6.2 million of PECO funds for the planning and design of a new student affairs building, and $1.4 million to complete the FAMU College of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences (COPPS) Phase II building. The new student affairs complex is an essential part of the University's long-term plan to revitalize its 128-year-old campus, improve customer service, and promote efficiency and effectiveness. Upon completion, the building's total cost is estimated to be about $36 million and will combine under one roof many essential student services that are currently scattered across the campus. The 73,000-square-foot building will house Recruitment, Admissions, Financial Aid, the Office of the Registrar, Student Accounts, the Center for Disability Access and Resources, and the Undergraduate Student Success Center. Additional services include academic counseling, tutorial space, computer labs, study space, student meeting space, and a police sub-station. The new facility will allow the University to improve the student experience and help to promote retention and graduation. "We are extremely thankful to the Florida Legislature for their support, and for helping us provide our students with a 21st century living and learning environment. The funding will help us offer the kind of supportive services that our students deserve and need in regards to completing their degree programs on time," said FAMU President Elmira Mangum, Ph.D. The Legislature's appropriation for $1.4 million in capital funding will help to complete the construction of the Pharmacy Phase II building, which is expected to be completed in 2016. Upon completion, this new 74,000-square-foot research facility will house the necessary research and laboratory space that will allow FAMU to compete successfully for additional federal research grants and awards. The College currently generates over $23.1 million in federal research awards, supporting over 50 jobs. The additional research space will allow FAMU to grow its research capacity, creating additional new jobs funded by federal and private sector grants. The space will also help to support additional research and career training opportunities for students. SANDRA M. PHOENIX Executive Director HBCU Library Alliance sphoenix@hbculibraries.org<mailto:sphoenix@hbculibraries.org> www.hbculibraries.org<http://www.hbculibraries.org/> 800-999-8558, ext. 4820 404-702-5854 Skype: sandra.phoenix1 1438 West Peachtree NW Suite 200 Atlanta,GA 30309 Toll Free: 1.800.999.8558 (LYRASIS) Fax: 404.892.7879 www.lyrasis.org<http://www.lyrasis.org/> Honor the ancestors, honor the children.