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The University of New Mexico

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Media Contact: Steve Carr, (505) 277-1821; e-mail: scarr@unm.edu

November 5, 2007

Basement Renovation in Biology’s Castetter Hall Nearing Completion
Ribbon cutting set for Friday, Nov. 9, at 3 p.m.

From an old, dark basement to a shiny, newly renovated and well-lighted facility, the transformation in the basement of the UNM biology department’s Castetter Hall is remarkable. The basement renovation project, now virtually complete, has reconfigured and remodeled sections of space in the oldest parts of the building.

Relocated to the CERIA Building is the Museum of Southwestern Biology. In its place is a state-of-the-art teaching complex for introductory-level biology classes including five new student teaching labs. The $7 million renovation, which was provided by the passage of a $135 million student-funded capitol bond issue last year, is set for occupancy later this semester.

Plans for an official ribbon-cutting ceremony have been set for Friday, Nov. 9, at 3 p.m. in the biology department, starting in the courtyard. Hors d’oeuvres will be served as part of the special occasion. In appreciation of the students’ support, the department will also hold a free raffle for students to win some valuable prizes. The ceremony is open to all faculty, staff, students and the public.

“People are starting to move in – it’s essentially finished,” said Eric Loker, chair of the biology department. “It’s all about undergraduate teaching with newly renovated student classrooms and labs.”

Additionally, utilities have been renewed and improved in the space. Along with remodeling adapted to the needs of current teaching and research methodologies, this has also helped to brighten the 55-year-old building. It was constructed in 1952 and expanded in 1967 to its present size of 126,871 square feet.

In 2003 the State of New Mexico provided the UNM biology department with $200,000 in funding to begin a construction master plan. That plan analyzed the department’s building needs, current space utilization and facility deficiencies and concluded it had a significant need for renovation at a projected cost of $31.4 million for Castetter Hall.

This current project completely overhauls 18,000 sq. ft. in the basement to produce 5 teaching labs, 3 lecture halls, 2 study areas, an advising complex, a graduate student computer pod, and 7 lecturer offices. In addition, 3,160 sq. ft. has been converted into an Undergraduate Teaching Laboratory in Microbiology that includes a 24-station wet laboratory, warm and cold storage rooms, specimen preparation and transfer rooms, equipment wash and sterilization rooms, and laboratory equipment support space and storage.

With the Castetter basement renovation completed, the Biology Department can turn its attention to Phase 1 of its expansion, which includes a Castetter addition, also funded by student bond passage of $5.6 million.

“The design is complete,” said Associate Biology Chair Steve Stricker, who has played a major role in planning. “We hope to break ground in Jan. 08 on the two floor structure with approximately 15,000 sq. ft. for faculty research labs.”

The biology department has also obtained another $2.78 million from the State Legislature to initiate Phase 2, which will include putting a new research greenhouse on the roof to finish out the first floor of Phase 1. The latest version of Phase 2 will include another 30,000 sq. ft. structure with three floors, each with approximately 10,000 sq. ft. The goal for the Biology Department and UNM is to seek an additional $9.8 million, either from the State Legislature or as part of a GO Bond that would essentially enable completion of Phase 2.

“If successful, we’ll end up with a 45,000 sq. ft. structure in totality, not including the greenhouse, that will be given over to biology research activities,” said Loker. “If we get $9.8 million and finish Phase 2, the good news is we’d be done. We’ll have brand new labs and teaching lecture rooms, and we would have largely solved the more immediate problems of antiquated facilities in the biology department.”

It is envisioned that the activities currently located in the Biology Annex will eventually move to the first floor of Phase 2 of the addition project. National Institutes of Health -funded investigators working on the Center for Evolutionary Theoretical Immunology program will utilize the second floor of Phases 1 & 2. The third floor will be given over to other investigators in biology with the most active research programs.

“Our ability to excel in research has significant impacts on the state economy and brings academic prestige to UNM. It’s important to emphasize that research is critical for generating jobs and creating high levels of training that students don’t necessarily receive at non-research colleges,” said Loker. “It’s great training for students. For every research dollar generated, there’s a $3.3 return in the local economy.

“I’d also like to emphasize that this entire process has been a good example of great team-work including UNM’s Office of Capital Projects, biology, the College of Arts and Sciences and the UNM administration, working in conjunction with local architects and contractors.”

SMPC Architects in Albuquerque designed the basement renovation project and Brycon Corporation was the contractor.



The University of New Mexico is the state's largest university, serving more than 32,000 students. UNM is home to the state's only schools of law, medicine, pharmacy and architecture and operates New Mexico's only academic health center. UNM is noted for comprehensive undergraduate programs and research that benefits the state and the nation.

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