The new academic building (185,000+/- GSF) will be located at the center of campus. The intent of the construction of the building is to provide the quantity and quality of general access classrooms needed to support the mission of the university, and to provide space needed for various academic and student advising departments. 

Over sixty percent of the new academic building will be occupied by 46 general assignment classrooms equipped with modern educational technology.  The sizes of the classrooms range from 40 seat rooms to 250 seat auditoriums. 

The building will also contain the Hall of Nations, a large gathering space that can accommodate formal functions, including catered dinner receptions for visiting scholars and dignitaries, as well as other local and international delegations.   

In addition, the new facility will provide new space for the following programs and departments:  Communication Studies, Women's Studies, Philosophy, Environmental Studies, Office of Multicultural Student Services, Campus Climate, Honors Program,  International Education (including English As a 2^nd Language),  Student Support Services, Counseling & Testing, Reach and Share, Career Services, and Academic Advising Center.

The design of the new building is being influenced heavily by the principles of sustainability, including, but not limited to the following: The actual shape of the building, and the building facades have been designed to allow as much natural daylight as possible to enter the space, thus reducing the need for artificial illumination.  The shape of the building was also established to allow the inclusion of a large south-facing court yard that continues into the building as open gathering and collaborative learning spaces.  Low VOC materials will be specified for the facility as well as finish materials that are renewable or contain recycled product.  The building and it’s systems will be designed to be 30% more energy efficient than the current State of Wisconsin Energy Code, and innovative ways to reduce, or completely eliminate the need to carry storm water away from the site are being analyzed. Options for providing the ability to utilize renewable energy sources as an educational tool are also being considered, and the intent is to recycle a large majority of the building materials from the existing buildings on the site.  The ultimate goal of the design team is to design and construct a project that has a LEED’s Silver Certification.