University of Texas System Regents Approve Funding of Engineering Building at University of Texas at Austin

Aug. 25, 2011

AUSTIN, Texas — The University of Texas System Board of Regents today approved $105 million in funding for a new building, the Engineering Education and Research Center , on The University of Texas at Austin campus.

The funding will come from the university’s Permanent University Fund (PUF). The regents approved $30 million in PUF bonds on Aug. 10, 2010. Today they approved an additional $75 million in bonds to bring the total to $105 million.

The building will be located between 24th and Dean Keeton Streets, just west of Waller Creek.

"The Cockrell School is one of the best engineering schools in the country and today’s vote by the Board of Regents ensures that it remains so," said William Powers Jr., president of The University of Texas at Austin. "A new building will give our students and faculty the technology and space they need to continue solving some of the biggest problems facing the world. I thank the regents for their commitment to excellence and to our future."

The Engineering Education and Research Center will house student project learning labs to be used by the Cockrell School of Engineering ’s seven departments. It also will be home to the highly ranked Electrical and Computer Engineering Department , a new Center for Entrepreneurship, as well as provide advising and services for engineering students, in addition to study and collaboration space.

"One of our biggest challenges in educating our students is the need for space where they can investigate, design and build technology," said Gregory L. Fenves, dean of the Cockrell School of Engineering. "I thank the members of the Board of Regents for their decision today. It will ensure the Cockrell School of Engineering and The University of Texas at Austin remain at the forefront of educating future engineering leaders and entrepreneurs.

"This transformative facility will allow our faculty and students to pursue the research that leads to new technologies, which are so important to our quality of life and economic competitiveness."