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BGSU Firelands Project to Provide Enhanced Facilities for Health and Science
December 9, 2013 | Leave a Comment
Huron, Ohio – At the Bowling Green State University Board of Trustees meeting on December 6 held in Bowling Green, trustees unanimously authorized BGSU Firelands to proceed with all necessary remaining design phases and construction work for the Allied Health & Science Project.
Tentatively scheduled for completion in 2016, the Allied Health & Science Project includes a nearly 17,000 square foot addition of academic space to the North Building and renovations to 47,000 square feet of current space in the North and West buildings on the Huron campus.
The newly remodeled facility will accommodate high-demand degree programs in nursing and the allied health sciences including radiologic technology, respiratory care technology, diagnostic medical sonography, and health information management technology. The expansion of the existing North Building will also include state-of-the-art laboratories in support of courses in the basic sciences as well as programs in the areas of business, technology, and public service.
The expanded and renovated facilities are a response to the significant growth at BGSU Firelands following the demand for health-related programming throughout the last decade. With a 257 percent increase in students enrolled in health-related programs, the capacity of the current facilities is inadequate and many of the current laboratories are outdated.
“The renovations and expansion will fulfill campus and student needs now and in the immediate future. This capital investment underscores the College’s commitment to meeting the educational objectives of our students and the need of employers in our region, particularly in the health-related professions,” said BGSU Firelands Dean Bill Balzer.
Nationally and locally, healthcare is among the fastest growing and most popular occupational sectors. Ten of the 20 fastest growing occupations nationwide are healthcare vocations. By 2018, the healthcare industry is expected to generate 3.2 million new jobs – more than any other industry.
With the Allied Health & Science Project, BGSU Firelands will continue to be a regional leader in nursing and allied health science education, preparing students to realize careers in these high-demand fields.
Total cost for the Allied Health & Science Project is expected to be approximately $16 million. Funding will be derived from a variety of sources including College reserves, state capital appropriations, and private fund raising.
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