College Momentum Continues with $2 Million Capital Budget Request by USG

Brunswick, GA – The Board of Regents recently approved a fiscal year 2014 capital budget request of $259.8 million for University System of Georgia schools. Included in the budget was $2 million for the renovation of the Academic Commons South building on the campus of the College of Coastal Georgia.

Once the renovation of Academic Commons South is complete, all buildings on the campus in Brunswick will have been newly constructed or renovated. Academic Commons South currently houses classrooms, science labs, computer labs, and faculty and technology offices.

The construction of the LEED silver-certified Miriam and Hugh Nunnally Health and Science Building during 2010 marked the first new building on campus in nearly 30 years. Renovation of Academic Commons North and the Jones Building were completed for fall term 2012. The Correll Center for Teacher Education and Learning is currently under construction. That 32,000-square-foot complex will house the School of Education and Teacher Preparation, the Center for Service-Learning and Community Engagement, the Center for Teaching and Learning, and the new Writing Center.

“Our modest capital request for 2014 reflects the College’s academic priorities and emphasis on core academic functions,” College President Valerie Hepburn noted. “This addresses the need to modernize existing classroom space and laboratories constructed in 1964 with no significant improvements since 1998. We can’t impart 21st century knowledge and technology in outdated facilities. But we are also committed to respecting the taxpayers’ investment in our existing structures. ”

“This is in line with the USG objective of making students our top priority in budgeting,” she concluded.

The approved budget request will now go to the Governor’s Office of Planning and Budget for review before the governor makes his recommendations to the Georgia General Assembly in January 2013.  

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