ews Feature:

Panther Prints

PEI Recieves New Science Building

by Amy Gallan

One of the most important aspects of niversity is the Science Department. niversity of Prince Edward Island is

erent. Including part-time students, has a student population of 2904, 638 ich are science students. So it seems at the Science Department, Chemistry icular, is being ‘‘rewarded’’ with a modern facility which will be better ped to handle both professors and

ts needs.

This new facility, which is to be leted in 1996, has been causing much pment for all who are interested in

e. This is because of a variety of ns, including its safety features, its modern aspects, and its convenient es.

An important part of safety for any e building is the quality of air. This science building will have air quality bpriate to a working environment gh fume hood and air exchange s. It will also have humidity control hintain instruments in a safe and non- sive environment. This is particularly rtant for the chemistry department se the building now being used by the istry Department, Cass Chemistry, built in 1939, and thus has very poor air ty.

High-humidity causing instruments to ction has been a major problem in Chemistry. One such instrument that important to chemists is the NUR lear Magnetic Resonance trometer). It must be kept in very exact itions to function properly, so a special was designed for a modern high-field R in the new building. Unfortunately, piece of equipment costs approximately ) 000, so a new model will remain only eam of the Chemistry Department. The ent rooms with controlled tempera- and humidity will facilitate access eniently from associated laboratory and arch space.

The new building will have much € operating space for both students and essors. One of the main features will be 0-seat lecture theatre equipped with a iputer, TV, and slide projection. This accommodate the larger classes of first Organic and Biochemistry courses as l as courses of other departments. Other important teaching/learning AS will be a first-year laboratory to ommodate sixty students which will it weekly instead of biweekly lab erience. A joint Organic/Biochemistry Oratory will be used by 40 students every (Organic laboratory will henceforth use

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only ‘‘microscale’’ preparation. A joint Inorganic/Physical/Analytical laboratory will provide improved space and facilities and will hold approximately 24 students.

A dedicated research laboratory in six three-person modular units will provide professors and advanced students with much improved space and equipment. Each module will be identical in area with slightly different features in each. These will be shared by six professors.

Perhaps one of the most important features of the new science building will be a dedicated room for computers which will provide for teaching and learning in a convenient and modern facility. This is

The new building will have much more operating space for both students and professors. One of the main features will be a 120 seat lecture theatre, equipped with a computer, TV, and slide projection. . This will accommodate the larger classes of first year Organic and Bio- chemistry courses as well as courses of other departments.

designed to hold 12 personal computers.

Two smaller lecture rooms of 50 and 28 seats respectively will be used by the Chemistry Department as well as other Departments for lower enrolment courses and for tutorials or lectures associated with the laboratory presentations. Dr. Leon Loucks, Chair of the Department of Chemis- try, says they have had great success with small lecture rooms in the past, “‘It’s a really nice relationship between prof and student because it’s so intimate,’’ says Dr. Loucks, who also says that he wishes to maintain this relationship.

Preparation facilities for the technical

: staff will be much more conveniently

located and will have the spaces appropriate to the tasks involved. : Also, this new building will have an elevator which will be

- avery important change for Cass Chemistry

natives who have to carry everything from heavy instruments to gasses up fligths of stairs. This is not only inconvenient but dangerous also. The elevator will also allow -accessibility to the physically challenged.

The fact that the entire second floor of the new science building is being dedi- cated entirely to the chemistry department has been causing much excitement. For chemistry students and professors it means, ‘*better laboratory facilities, safety and environment to work in -- better computer facilities especially,’’ says Dr. Loucks. For others it means the opening of new space for other purposes. In particular, Biology may have first dibs on the Cass Chemistry building.

The L-shaped, two-storey building will be made partly of red brick and partly of off-white artificial stone which will break any plainness which might have otherwise occurred. Located across from the cafeteria this building completes the quadrangle enclosed feeling of the campus.

The architects, Bergmark and Hammarland, are held in great confidence and have spent much time detailing the plans for the building. Also assisting in the planning and offering tips was Bill Greg, a consultant from the University of Ottawa, where a new science building was also recently erected. Dr. Pineau, the Dean of Science, Dr. Louks, and other department heads, many of whom will move their offices to the new building, also participated in its planning.

One person in particular who de- serves recognition for his part in acquiring a new science building for UPEI is the former president of the university, CWJ Elliot, who for years proceeded to work for the estab- lishment of this new building. Although it was not completed before his retirement last year, the cornerstone of the building was unveiled before he left in reverence to him.

Seven million dollars was raised for the completion of this and several other projects. $5.3 million has been set aside from this money for the new science buildings overall budget. The rest must be divided between renovations for the Cass Chemistry Building and the Alumni Gymna- sium.

One million dollars of this seven million was donated by the Irving family. The new building therefore will be chris- tened the K.C. Irving Chemistry Building.

The planning of this K.C. Irving Chemistry Building took one year of planning, and the actual construction is now under-way. It is to be completed in July or

August of 1996, and moving in will begin in July or August. Dr. Loucks believes that — this is a very positive thing for the Univer- sity, for the Science Department, and Chemistry in particular, and is very thankful that they are finally getting what they have long struggled for.

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