Chico State holds virtual dedication
New building toured online
CHICO >> Chico State President Gayle Hutchinson led a dedication and virtual tour of the new science building at Chico State on Monday.
Monday’s event was a “soft opening”, Hutchinson said, saying that the community would gather for a more formal ribbon cutting and dedication once COVID-19 safety precautions allowed.
“We are here to celebrate the opening of Chico State’s newest academic building to serve the sciences,” Hutchinson said.
Construction on the building was scheduled to be concluded in the fall, however COVID-19 has slowed the process. Staff are now preparing for students to take classes in the new building in the next fall semester.
The dean of the College of Natural Sciences David Hassenzahl said that there are now faculty and staff working and doing research in the building while awaiting students.
The new 110,200 square foot building, which cost Chico State $101 million, will house students from the chemistry department;
physical, geological and environmental sciences; science education labs; active learning classrooms; undergraduate and graduate research spaces; designated student club rooms as well as faculty and administrative offices. Students taking classes in pre-nursing, education, agriculture and engineering will have classes in the new science building as well as general education science classes.
Hassenzahl said that geology students are studying rocks on the first floor of the bolding while environmental students are using the exterior of the building for research.
“The building is also designed to encourage science participation in the community, including hands on opportunities for north state K-12 students and their teachers, as well as science on display features,” Hutchinson said.
Associate Vice President of Facilities Management and Services at Chico State Mike Guzzi said in the dedication on Monday that one of the main tagline for the new building is “science on display.” He said that traditionally science buildings are “energy hogs” because of the constant need for airflow due to chemical fumes, however several energy-saving factors were taken into account to help account for the higher energy costs.
Guzzi said the building has chilled beams throughout its interior, solar panels on the roof as well as heavy glazing on the building’s exterior. There is natural vegetation surrounding the building, which includes the use of bioswales to help study water runoff from rain and to water plants. The orientation of the building was also taken into account due to the rising of temperatures in Butte County during summer months.
Hutchinson said that the use of the bioswales helps advance the strategic priorities of the university which includes a commitment to environmental sustainability and resilience.
Physics Professor David Brookes made an appearance in the dedication video when he showed the inside of one of the new physics rooms. He demonstrated how the white boards of the new building slide open and have storage behind them, making the transition from lecture to lab more seamless.
In addition the building has a room designed for several clubs including the chemistry and biochemistry club, the geography and environmental science club, physics club as well as the science education club.
Nirvana Almada, a senior student studying biochemistry who is the student senator for the College of Natural Sciences, said that the club spaces will be a crucial part of student involvement once students return to campus in the fall. She said the clubs help provide students a space where they can meet other students that have similar interests who may be going down a similar career path. Almada said is excited for the study space in the front of each club’s room.
“Clubs are an important part of the student community in the college of natural sciences,” Almada said. “They provide a space where students can congregate and form relationships with one another that last not only through their years at Chico State but beyond them.”