GOVERNOR RIDGE ANNOUNCES $138 MILLION COMMITMENT FOR UNIVERSITY OF PITTSBURGH CAPITAL PROJECTS

PITTSBURGH, Jan. 21 -- Governor Tom Ridge announced today that the University of Pittsburgh will be receiving $138 million in Commonwealth capital funds over the next five years. There are two components to the funding: $38 million will go to support the construction of a new Convocation Center; $100 million, which will be received at $20 million per year, will be used to support the University's other priority facility needs.

The Governor made his announcement to a gathering of University trustees, administrators, faculty, students and alumni; city, county and state officials; media representatives and Oakland community leaders on the Pitt campus. The event took place on the north side of Pitt Stadium, at the proposed site for the Convocation Center.

Pitt Chancellor Mark A. Nordenberg termed the announcement a "historic day" for the University of Pittsburgh and the Southwest Pennsylvania region. "The expenditure of these funds over the next five years will create important changes at Pitt. But, as importantly, it will create an infusion of jobs, millions of dollars into the local economy, contracts for numerous area businesses, and an overall boost to the well being of the entire region," he said.

With the commitment of Commonwealth funds, specific planning for the Convocation Center can proceed. It will be designed to accommodate University-wide events such as Commencement, as well as lectures, expositions and concerts. It will also provide facilities for men's and women's intercollegiate basketball competition, as well as other conference and national athletic events. The building will include an arena, practice facilities, spectator support facilities, management and ticket offices, basketball offices, locker rooms, and operation support facilities.

Nordenberg noted that the Convocation Center would have "dramatic impact on campus life" and is the key to the development of outstanding recreational and athletic facilities at the University. While the Convocation Center will be used primarily for intercollegiate athletics, its completion will make possible the extensive renovations required for the existing Fitzgerald Field House and Trees Hall so that those facilities can be used for student recreation and other athletic programs.

The $100 million over five years commitment in Commonwealth funding will be used to support priorities identified in the University's comprehensive ten-year facilities plan which was completed last year. The plan is designed to ensure that the University's physical facilities - at all five of its campuses - will be sufficient to support the excellence of the academic programs. Nordenberg pointed out that the plan puts heavy emphasis on renovation of existing facilities, but a key element also includes several carefully chosen new construction projects to be undertaken in partnership with the Commonwealth.

One of the first projects will be the construction of a Multi-Purpose Academic Complex (MPAC), planned for the corner of Forbes Avenue and Bouquet Street in Oakland. This building will house the Departments of Computer Science and Psychology; provide a home for the new College of Business Administration; and allow many other departments of the Faculty of Arts and Sciences to operate their programs in improved facilities.

The Commonwealth funds are a critical component of the University's facilities costs, but they will not cover the entire cost of the proposed projects. The Commonwealth dollars will be augmented with funds coming from private sources and University funds.

In thanking the Governor and the members of the General Assembly for making the funding authorization possible, Nordenberg said that this combination of resources was a good example of the close relationship between the University and the Commonwealth.

"More than 30 years ago, Pitt entered into a formal partnership with the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania when we became a state-related institution. At no time since then has that partnership been more critical to the well-being of both the University and the Commonwealth. The Governor's announcement today is an outstanding example of that partnership. As we move forward together, we will use those funds to ensure our continued contribution to the development of individuals and to the overall growth and competitiveness of Pennsylvania," Nordenberg said.

Nordenberg also noted that the commitment by the Governor would position the University to make progress on another "crucial part" of the facilities plan. "While no Commonwealth funds will be involved, we also are committed to enhancing our campus residential atmosphere. Our facilities plan calls for the construction of new residence halls, and we can now move forward to address our academic, athletic and student housing needs simultaneously," Nordenberg said.

He added that the University would be working closely with city officials and community groups as specific plans for the all of the projects were developed.