Computer Science Building

[NewsCopy]

Construction plans for the new three-story building for the Computer Science Department and the Center for Advanced Computer Studies are moving along nicely. Below is an CAD rendition and a few details

Will be located where McNaspy Stadium once stood and where McNaspy Track is located.

Will overlook beautiful Girard Park.

Each floor will include 15,000 square feet for classrooms, auditoriums, conference rooms and more.

Construction costs are expected to be $7.5 million.

[1stTake]

Nice! Is this on the fast track, track and field track, or heaven forbid the hotel track?

[NewsCopy]

In the 1950s, a small IBM 1620 computer was displayed in the old Martin Hall at then-SLI. Years later, a room was built with windows allowing passers-by to marvel at the technology. In 1964, the university had its first computer science graduate and 20 years later formed its Center for Advanced Computer Studies, attracting 600 undergraduate and graduate students and $3.6 million in research. That research was housed in the fourth floor of a converted dormitory until now. By the end of the year, the center will move into a 61,000-square-foot building with the infrastructure fitting of one of the country's top computer studies programs, said Steve Landry, University of Louisiana vice president of academic affairs. "This is a step that is long overdue. This program has deserved this facility for over 20 years," UL President Ray Authement said. The university celebrated the $8 million university-funded project Wednesday, mortaring the first cornerstone of the building. The building is expected to be completed by December, Authement said. The rest of the story Marsha Sills msills@theadvertiser.com

[NewsCopy]

Construction recently started on the University of Louisiana at Lafayette’s newest building, and computer science students and faculty, who have grown tired of their cramped space in the Conference Center, are welcoming the addition. McNaspy Field will be the site of the 50,000-square-feet building. It will cost approximately $8.4 million and take 16 months to complete, will contain two 75-seat auditoriums, one 150-seat auditorium, 12 small computer labs and 16 large computer labs. The building is being constructed on a field where a track currently exists. McNaspy Field is the only open area on campus where a group of major facilities can still be built, according to Bill Crist, director of the Physical Plant. It will be the first of several buildings there. The only concern some have is that the construction of new buildings on McNaspy Field will limit the amount of green space available to students. According to Crist, however, a new open-ended quadrangle, which will face Girard Park, will be placed in the center of the buildings. “You can argue it two ways,” he said. “You can say that there is never enough green space and while we agree with that, we also are an academic facility and we have to provide facilities for our students to learn in. It’s a balance of trying not to overdevelop or develop in a way that makes a positive impact on the atmosphere that the students have on this campus.” Hailey Reeve, a 19-year-old computer science major, said she is looking forward to the new building. Reeve, who has taken computer-science-related classes in Griffin, Rougeau and Montgomery halls, said the fourth floor of the 40-year-old Conference Center is a very inconvenient place for the computer science department. The rest of the story Chad West The Vermilion Original Story Sept. 2005 photo April 2006

[Turbine]

Work is being done.

Hey I know this may sound crazy and I know computers didn't exist back then, but considering where this building sits and what was torn down to make room available, plus the fact that he taught science . . . why not name this "Science" Building the

"C.J. McNaspy Computer Science Building"

[El Sidonio]

Or we could shorten it to McNaspy Hall. Either way, a fitting tribute

God Bless

GEAUX UL!!!!!

[derf]

"The building is being constructed on a field where a track currently exists. McNaspy Field is the only open area on campus where a group of major facilities can still be built, according to Bill Crist, director of the Physical Plant. It will be the first of several buildings there."

Why not get the "neighborhood" area bought out, rezoned and used as more soace to built the much needed university academic buildings? I know it would put some people out and cost quite a bit, but we need to think proactively for the school. The thing this university needs is more accomodations for the student population and the tech park off of congress is not the place to be going. We are spreading our school out too much. but that is just my opinion. what do you guys think?

[RaginFan2]

Why not get the "neighborhood" area bought out, rezoned and used as more soace to built the much needed university academic buildings? I know it would put some people out and cost quite a bit, but we need to think proactively for the school. The thing this university needs is more accomodations for the student population and the tech park off of congress is not the place to be going. We are spreading our school out too much. but that is just my opinion. what do you guys think?

I agree. I've thought for most of the past 3 decades that the university is badly underserving its on-campus student needs. A lot of the lack of community and student support for all manner of university functions is directly attributable to the fact that the university has given little concrete evidence that the students and the university community in general are high on their priorty list. When I first arrived as a student in Jan. 1973, I felt their needed to be more on-campus housing. That was at a time when we had about 12,000 students. I had just come from LSU and had many friends at LA Tech, Northwestern State, and NLU (ULM). They all seemed to have better (or at least more) student dorms. That led to UL becoming more and more of a commuter school, and students having less and less connection to the university (other than when in class). There seems to be less activities on campus now than in the past. (Hard to say for sure since I live 2 hours away, but just my observations when I visit and occasionally read the Vermilion.) I'd like to see more student-oriented (but open to the public) extra-curricular activities that foster a collegiate atmosphere. Like regionally and nationally recognized speakers at least once or twice a semester. A variety of concerts (not just "big name" acts, but high quality) on campus or in the Cajundome. More active clubs and fraternal organizations (not just social fraternities). I think the Greek system on campus needs to be seriously revamped. I think it is a vital part of college life, but it needs a major overhaul at UL (and not just at the student level!) Dr. A seems to have done a tremendous job on the fiscal and academic sides, but the athletic side (starting to change!) and the student life side seem to have suffered during his tenure. Just my $0.25 worth.

[Boomer]

Why not get the "neighborhood" area bought out, rezoned and used as more soace to built the much needed university academic buildings? I know it would put some people out and cost quite a bit, but we need to think proactively for the school. The thing this university needs is more accomodations for the student population and the tech park off of congress is not the place to be going. We are spreading our school out too much. but that is just my opinion. what do you guys think?

About 20 years ago I thought about this idea---Jesuit in NO had bought a city square block that upset some folkes but really helped the school to reach it's schools---I would have called it Cajun town and consisted of big housing areas with fun bars, restuarants,coffee shops, ice cream parlors, etc around a centered area---Well why not?????

[NewsCopy]

UL's $8 million computer studies building is near completion. Last week, UL and state building officials inspected the 61,000-square-foot building. "They feel that it's substantially complete. They'll start moving furniture in it right after the first of the year," said UL president Ray Authement. The rest of the story Marsha Sills msills@theadvertiser.com

[jay bee]

I think I dialed into that computer the University bought in the 50's to compile some Fortran 77 programs for my Process Simulation class--in 2002!

[DaddyCajun]

Does anyone know what the University is to do with the area that is now the computer science offices and used to be dorms? What will these vacated offices be used for next?

Happy New Year,
DaddyCajun