GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ) – UW-Green Bay could be in line to receive part of $38 million for engineering labs.
The University of Wisconsin System’s Board of Regents has asked the legislature for the funds in order to renovate facilities at ten Wisconsin campuses.
UWGB Chancellor Gary Miller says they would use their portion to renovate a 6,300-square-foot building on campus for the growing electrical engineering program.
“We need more space for our growing engineering program,” says Miller.
John Katers, dean of the School of Science Engineering and Technology, says their Instructional Services building has two rooms that have been partially renovated to make space for labs and each can fit about eight work stations.
Beyond that, additional rooms throughout the building are being used to store technology that is now obsolete.
“It’s easy to see that this space is in need of significant changes,” says Katers.
According to him, modernizing the building will allow the school to utilize some of the old spaces that aren’t being used.
“I think it serves as a reminder as to how quickly technology changes and how important it is for us to create the best learning environment for our students, and the best space with the best technology, so they can go out and graduate and meet the needs of our region,” explains Katers.
In 2018, the school had five times more students enrolled in engineering technology programs than it did three years ago, according to Katers.
“Having adequate laboratory resources in incredibly important,” he says.
On Tuesday, the Joint Finance Committee will vote on the capital budget and whether to approve the $1.9 billion or not.
It would still have to be approved by both the full Legislature and Governor Tony Evers.
