Staff Writer
Moving can often be a daunting and dreaded task, but not when it’s moving to the next level.
That’s what the new Jacksonville University Marine Science Research Institute has done for the school’s Marine Science program, said Quinton White, executive director of the institute.
“The synergies that this facility can provide are amazing,” said White. “With the St. Johns Riverkeeper and Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission housed in the same building as our Marine Science and pre-college programs, the educational and research opportunities are endless.”
The approximately 30,000-square-foot, two-story building cost about $6.5 million to build, but not a single dollar from tuition was used to complete the project, White said.
“We began planning the facility about 18 years ago and early fundraising began about 10 years ago,” said White. “More than 140 individuals and corporations stepped up and helped us bring this vision to reality. We benefited from a wide grass-roots support and federal and state funding to get the project completed.”
Not only is the facility being used to study the various marine environments throughout the area, but its construction utilized environmentally friendly practices to help preserve its surroundings.
The university is pursuing “Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design” (LEED) certification for the facility. The building uses solar hot water; collects rainwater from the rooftop to use in toilets, boat wash down and irrigation; waterless urinals; natural light throughout most of the occupied space in the building; limited paved parking near the building to avoid runoff into the river; native drought-tolerant plants for landscaping; low energy lighting; showers available to encourage biking to work or class; and more than 80 percent of construction waste was recycled.
The building has its share of labs, classrooms and conference rooms, but it also offers lounges, a media room, a kitchen and showers to make it a place that invites people to stay after their work or classes are over.
“We are glad with the way the students have taken to the building,” said White. “They come to class here, study here, eat here, socialize here. I’ve heard that many thought-provoking conversations have begun in that kitchen. And that’s the type of atmosphere we wanted to create.”
White may be happy with what he has accomplished as executive director of the institute, but said there is always more that can be done to improve the educational experience.
“We are pursuing funding for a floating classroom (a catamaran research boat) and a boat dock for the institute,” said White.
The floating classroom has an estimated cost of $300,000 and the boat dock is estimated at $250,000.
The institute is also pursuing name sponsors for the building and rooms and areas within the building. Naming rights for the entire building can be acquired for $3 million, but if finances won’t allow that level of sponsorship, naming rights for the outdoor patio at the west end of the building have a price tag of $10,000.
For more information on the Marine Science Research Institute go to www.ju.edu/msri.
356-2466