Oakland University’s campus will soon be home to a new School of Engineering and Computer Science building.

SECS Dean, Louay Chamra, indicated the new engineering building will have a, “tremendous impact of the university and the community around us.”

After OU’s Board of Trustees and the state of Michigan approved the new building, the BOT selected a construction company at their meeting on March 28.

The BOT was presented with five different companies biding for the job and ultimately decided the Walbridge construction company.

“Walbridge’s outstanding qualifications, special experience in engineering buildings and laboratories, utilizing the training of university students, meeting a schedule where classes could be started in a timely manner, and their strong financials were all factors in the decision,” Ted Montgomery, Oakland University’s director of media relations, said.

According to Montgomery, the new engineering building will cost a total of $74,551,739—$30 million of which will be paid by the state of Michigan.

“It is important to note that the allocation of this funding represents a tremendous vote of confidence. Specifically, it shows that the state not only sees the wisdom in investing in higher education, but also acknowledges the exceptional work being done by all in the Oakland University community,” Gary Russi, OU president said.

The new building will be located between Elliott Hall and the Kresge Library, according to Montgomery.

A complete change 

Chamra explained SECS will be moving all of their classes to the new building upon its completion. As a result the vacated spaces in Hannah Hall and the Science and Engineering building will be utilized for other academic classes.

“The new building will house state of the art teaching and laboratory facilities which are designed to inspire engineering and computer science education to train the talent needed to advance innovation,” Chamra said.

According to Montgomery, the building will provide more than 42,000 square feet of classroom, office and research space for the School of Engineering and Computer Science, as well as 34,201 square feet of assignable general-purpose classroom space.

Chamra said the new building’s teaching and laboratory facilities will be “state of the art” and are needed to help, “educate and train the talent needed to advance innovation.”

Chamra believes the announcement of the new building is responsible in part for an admission increase to SECS of 22.4 percent in fall 2012.

Contact Senior Reporter Chris Lauritsen at [email protected] and follow him on Twitter @ChrisLautsen