The 160,000 sq. ft. building, which is expected to be completed in late 2004, will house extra classrooms, student services and student activities, as well as computer labs and staff and faculty offices.

Staples was the keynote speaker, and congratulatory comments were made from Jackson, McDavid and Smith.

"Itšs been so long since the school has had a new building. Enrollment is up, so people have a great opportunity to come to a good place for an education," Jackson said.

The state budget cuts, which will affect the coming school year, had no effect on the new buildingšs plans. The Legislature secured $30.9 million in revenue bonds for the project. The bonds were specifically designated for the building, and if not used by the university, must be returned. Plans started in 1990 to expand the campus, but after many years, the funds were secured in the 2001 77th State Legislature. That session ran from January to May 2001. In November 2001, a student referendum added an extra $5 million to help fund additional space. "The project has been a long-term vision of love," said Darlene Biggers, associate vice president of student affairs. "This is the second attempt at the design of the building."

According to Biggers, furniture, computers and art pieces are included in the bond, but under separate budgets.

Other expenses not included in the bond include lawn maintenance and custodial workers. Donations and offers from outside firms will be accepted.

"I didnšt think [the new building] would ever happen," said Sue Fellman, student life coordinator. "They started planning in 1990 when the original design was half the size it is now."

Humanities professor John Gorman entertained the audience with a poem titled "A Non-Sectarian Blessing," a poem he wrote specifically for the event.

The following is an excerpt from the poem:

"Observing the current crisis, But spared our fair buildingšs futurity, Wešve eschewed all ambitions of lavishness and dwindled into Austerity.
We work on in Texian Scrimptitude Pitch-ing-ing-ly as we should be, this poem is 12 percent shorter Than it ord-."

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