Four New Facilities Will Enhance Science Program
Underscoring the importance of science education, the County College of Morris has unveiled four new facilities – three upgrades and a new building – that will enhance the college’s science program. This is in addition to several other campus improvements.
This month, the college breaks ground on a new Landscape and Horticultural Technology building, which is scheduled to open for the spring 2011 term. Last month, CCM launched the new Longo Planetarium, and there have been substantial renovations to the Nursing and Biology laboratories.
The cost of the new science facilities totals $5.7 million with additional campus upgrades of $3.2 million. All the projects, with the exception of the planetarium, were funded by Chapter 12 bonds (50 percent paid by State funds and 50 percent by Morris County funds). In the case of the planetarium, $613,000 of the $827,000 total cost was received in private donations
“In addition to a number of projects around campus, we are particularly pleased to offer our students enhanced facilities for the sciences,” said Dr. Edward J. Yaw, president of the County College of Morris. “This commitment reinforces our ability to produce graduates able to continue their science and technology educations at four-year colleges or to enter the science and technology marketplace immediately after graduation from CCM.”
The new, 7,200 square foot Landscape and Horticultural Technology building will consist of a drafting room with dual use drafting and computer workstations, a computer lab, two “hands-on” classrooms, an administrative area, faculty offices, a conference room, restrooms and a large entry corridor for student displays. In addition, it was designed to receive the U.S. Green Building LEED Silver Certification with sustainable features, including geothermal heating and cooling, photovoltaic panels on two sloped metal standing roof beams, a vegetated flat roof, recycled and recyclable building materials, a rain collection system and maximum use of natural light.
The Nursing and Biology laboratory renovations consist of 9,850 square feet of new teaching space, with 230 students able to utilize the renovated area at one time. The project consists of four new biology labs, seven new nursing labs and three laboratory support spaces. The biology labs include new casework, sinks, safety/shower/eye washes, new equipment, bio-safety cabinets, floorings, energy efficient lighting with occupancy sensors, lab services, computers and technology upgrades.
The nursing lab renovations include new casework, Intensive Care headwalls, lab services, flooring, energy efficient lighting with occupancy sensors, folding partitions, furniture and technology upgrades.
The new Longo Planetarium, which opened April 15, offers 1,380 square feet of renovated space, custom acoustic wall panels, a new sound system, new flooring, a refinished dome, expanded seating (from 80 to 91), enhanced lighting, a new climate-controlled server room, a projector platform, control desk and five wheelchair spaces. In addition, the planetarium has upgraded its projection equipment to the Digistar 4 SP2 HD system, one of the world’s most advanced, which allows for digital video projection and many alterative projections of the night sky.
In addition to the upgrades to its science and technology offerings, the college has renovated the lower level of Emeriti Hall, a project that included the complete renovation of the Information Services Department, the creation of adjunct faculty offices, the renovation of existing server and storage rooms, the replacement of heating and air-conditioning equipment, re-pointing existing stonework, resurfacing and waterproofing exterior stucco, new stone cladding and exterior improvements, landscaping, upgrading the fire alarm system and adding fiber control wiring to the Public Safety Department.
The college has installed a new softball field, with new dugouts and bullpens, a solar-powered scoreboard and ADA compliant bleachers. The tennis courts have been resurfaced with perimeter fencing, lighting upgrades and a drainage system. Exterior stairs have been rebuilt throughout the campus and two parking lots have been resurfaced, with more than 60 new parking spaces created.
Photo: Illustration of the new Landscape and Horticultural Technology building at the County College of Morris, which is scheduled to open for the spring 2011 semester.