May 20, 2011

GOVERNOR MALLOY JOINS WITH PUBLIC WORKS AND SCSU FOR BUSINESS SCHOOL GROUNDBREAKING IN NEW HAVEN

(HARTFORD, CT) - Connecticut Governor Dannel P. Malloy, the State Department of Public Works, and Southern Connecticut State University hosted a groundbreaking ceremony for SCSU's new School of Business at 501 Crescent Street in New Haven on May 19, 2011.

The $6.5 million project will transform the university's old Student Center into a modern, state-of-the-art School of Business, replacing the existing Business facility located in Seabury Hall.

"This has been a long time coming - decades in the making - but the 1,300 students enrolled in Southern Connecticut's School of Business will finally be able to move into a permanent building. Not only will the new office space and classrooms benefit faculty and students, but the new building will allow the school to become even more responsive to the business community through the use of new workshop and conference space," Governor Malloy said.

"The groundbreaking represents a significant move forward towards investing in Connecticut's workforce, improving ties to the business community and the school, and ultimately helping to play a part in our state's economic recovery. Upon completion, I'm hopeful that this project will facilitate an even stronger partnership between the SCSU School of Business and the business community as a whole."

DPW Acting Commissioner Jonathan P. Holmes said, "The new School of Business, located at a main entrance to the campus, will greatly enhance the first impression of the university. This project is an enormous plus for Southern, as well as for the local community, and for the state of Connecticut. From an engineering standpoint, we went to great lengths to achieve energy savings in this facility - it will be a model for other schools. And from an academic viewpoint, it promises to turn out graduates who can contribute their knowledge and ideas to building a prosperous economy in Connecticut once again."

SCSU Interim President Stanley F. Battle stated, "This project is a major step forward for our university, and in particular, for our business school. Our business programs -- accounting, economics and finance, management, management information systems and marketing -- are in high demand in Connecticut's workforce. Investing in a new home for the School of Business makes practical sense for the economic future of both the Southern Connecticut region and the state."

The speakers at the groundbreaking ceremony included Governor Malloy, SCSU Interim President Battle; New Haven Mayor John De Stefano, Jr.; Ellen Durnin, dean of the SCSU School of Business; Richard Balducci, vice chairman of the Connecticut State University System Board of Trustees; Louise H. Feroe, acting chancellor, Connecticut State University System; and Elizabeth Y. Womack, senior finance major at SCSU.

The architect for the project is Tecton Architects, Inc., of Hartford, and the contractor is Nosal Builders, Inc., of Durham.

When completed in July 2012, the new School of Business will feature offices, classrooms, a simulated stock market trading floor, a presentation room, and computer labs.

The scope of the project consists of exterior and interior renovations to the 20,000 square foot building, with new mechanical, electrical, plumbing, security, and fire alarm systems, a new elevator, and a new roof.

The project also includes a photovoltaic system for electrical energy savings. The building will be LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certified Silver.

The state Department of Public Works is responsible for the design and construction of major capital building projects (except highways and bridges) for most state agencies, leasing and acquisitions statewide, and facility management, maintenance and security of state buildings in the greater Hartford area.

###

For Immediate Release: May 20, 2011

Contact: Patrick T. Nolan

Department of Public Works

Patrick.nolan@ct.gov

860-713-5790

Twitter: @GovMalloyOffice

Facebook: Office of Governor Dannel P. Malloy