Trusteesto vote on new building

Today, the IU Board of Trustees will vote on the approval of phase two of a new 65,000-square foot Multidisciplinary Science Building on the IU-Bloomington campus.\nThe new building will be part of the newly created science district on campus and "is primarily to be able to address the idea of providing additional lab space and classrooms for various science efforts," IU spokeswoman Jane Jankowski said.\nThe board also will vote on the construction of the Campus Center at the IU-Purdue University at Indianapolis campus as well as the construction of the Medical Education Center on the Indiana Purdue Fort Wayne campus. \nIn addition to the potential changes to IU campuses around the state, trustees will be voting on the budget for the 2003-2004 fiscal year, estimated to be around $2.08 billion. This year, state lawmakers approved budget increases of 5.3 percent and 3.6 percent for the next two years despite an $800 million state budget deficit.\nAccording to the board of trustees Web site, the cost for the creation of the phase two multidisciplinary science building is estimated at $42.5 million and will be located behind the Geology Building at 1001 E. 10th St., replacing a parking lot. Funding will be provided primarily by the bonding authority at roughly $31.8 million and by gifts and grants estimated at $10.6 million and is not expected to affect tuition. \nWith the approval of the Multidisciplinary Science building, IU will attempt to fulfill the many needs that science departments campus-wide are facing. \nAccording to the trustees Web site, "These facilities will greatly expand the University's research in neuroscience and brain imaging, atmospheric science, contaminant chemistry and biogeochemistry"