The possibility of improving the University in the field of life sciences could finally become a reality. Ever since taking office, University President Lee Bollinger has pushed for a life science center at the University.
Life sciences are not only an important part of liberal arts education but an area of research where the University is currently lacking. Bollinger will most likely present a proposal to the University Board of Regents next month. He needs to ensure that the proposal for the center be presented as soon as possible in order to benefit students and allow the University to become the leading research institution in the nation.
The University has a solid reputation for its strong engineering and business programs, which rank highly compared to other universities. Yet it has lagged behind in the field of life science - the University currently ranks 21st nationally. The center would help the University attract top researchers in their respective fields - important since the University lost many high level geneticists in the early '90s to rival research centers.
A life science center provides a great opportunity for Bollinger to take advantage of the situation and transform the University into one of the leaders in the field of life science. Such a move will further enhance the reputation of the University.
The proposed life sciences center is expected to have its own curriculum and faculty appointments. This will benefit students in addition to the University. The center will allow undergraduate students to learn from leading faculty members of their respective fields. More importantly, it will allow undergraduate students to have the opportunity of participating in interdisciplinary programs.
Undergraduate students will not only be limited to a single field, but have the opportunity to explore different disciplines; such as social sciences, humanities, law, business, physics and biology. Furthermore, the proposed life science center will bridge the gap between undergraduate and graduate levels. Therefore it will allow undergraduates to gain an understanding of different disciplines before committing to the field in which they wish to concentrate.
The life science center is still in the planning stages and the source of prospective funding is being debated - the Life Science Center will cost the University at least $200 million. Part of the funding is expected to come from the state of Michigan, through the recent tobacco settlement. Gov. John Engler should approve using tobacco funding for the life science center.
Not only does this center benefit the University, it is expected that the facilities would be shared with Wayne State and Michigan State University. This will benefit the entire state. The University's life sciences have long lagged behind the nation - otherwise, the University is arguably the top research institution in the nation. It is time for the University to step up its program to benefit the students. The University needs to increase its depth in of life sciences.
04-13-99
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