With classroom space at a premium on campus, the university received approval from the state legislature to build a new classroom building. This building on the north side of the Women's Building field opposite the under construction Austin Hall, will have classroom space for around 2500 students at one time. Additionally, the building will house the University Honors College and a newly formed Integrated Instructional Resource Center (co-locating Media Services, Technology Across the Curriculum, and the Center for Teaching and Learning).
Goals for the building include providing universal access, with building entrances, classrooms, restrooms, and elevators that go beyond specifications required by the ADA. Additionally, the project will build a new fully accessible terrace/courtyard connecting all building in close proximity.
This building project will also provide increase accessibility to surrounding buildings through the construction of better accessible paths to the Women's Building, ALS, and Hovland Hall.
Ground broke in fall 2013 with early site work such as the improved Women's Building north entrance ramp, with the building and courtyard scheduled for completion by fall term 2015.