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By Mark Owczarski

Virginia Tech Board of Visitors

BLACKSBURG, Va., August 31, 2009 -- The examination and review of several future campus construction projects were among the topics discussed by the Virginia Tech Board of Visitors at their meeting today.

Among the projects covered was the design review of the first phase of the renovation of Davidson Hall, which will include the demolition of the middle and northwest sections of the existing complex. The demolished portions will be replaced with a new three-story, 44,288 gross-square-foot addition which will house modern instructional classrooms, laboratories, meeting areas and faculty offices.

The board also reviewed the design plan of a new human and agricultural bioscience building—coined HBBI 1, slated to be built in the area of campus now known as “The Cage.” This four-story, 92,500 gross-square-foot building is envisioned as the first of five new research facilities for the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences clustered in this part of campus. The building will contain research labs and office space for the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences.

The preview of design plans for the “signature engineering building,” a 160,000 gross-square-foot building to be constructed at the northeast corner of the now Commuter Parking Lot between Price’s Ford Road and Stanger Street was also discussed. The building will include classrooms, instructional laboratories, and offices for multiple departments and programs to support undergraduate education in the College of Engineering.

Plans for a new 68,000 gross-square-foot academic and student affairs building to be located between ICTAS I and Randolph Hall on Old Turner Street were reviewed and approved. The building will contain a major dining faculty, six classrooms, and office space for Services for Students with Disabilities.

Board members received a briefing on the university’s efforts to participate in the establishment of a Regional 9-1-1 Dispatch Center in partnership with local government agencies. The board authorized the university to commit to participate in the establishment off a regional 9-1-1 emergency communications authority.

The Academic Affairs Committee received updates on enrollment management and international engagement and study abroad initiatives. The Student Affairs and Athletics Committee received updates on new student orientation, Hokie Camp, opening week, and enrollment growth within the Corps of Cadets. The Research Committee heard reports on the Virginia Tech Carilion Research Institute, the Fralin Life Sciences Institute, and the Virginia Tech–Wake Forest University School of Biomedical Engineering and Sciences.

The board honored two faculty members with named professorships; Danesh K. Tafti was named the William Cross Professor of Engineering, and Yue Joseph Wang, was named the Grant A. Dove Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering. Seven persons were honored with emeritus status.

The next Virginia Tech Board of Visitors meeting will be held Nov. 8-9 on the Blacksburg campus. More information on the Virginia Tech Board of Visitors may be found online.

Read related Virginia Tech News stories:

• "Two members reappointed to Virginia Tech Board of Visitors"
• "University's Board of Visitors goes paperless"
• "Board of Visitors names 2009-10 student representatives"

Contact Mark Owczarski at maowczar@vt.edu or (540) 231-5223.

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