All funds for the project will be raised from major donors, including foundations, corporations and individuals. Additional research space is one of the key components of the new building plan. Calvin's need for research space has progressed rapidly. The college currently ranks sixth nationally among undergraduate institutions in securing National Science Foundation Instrumentation and Laboratory Improvement grants. We are hoping to offer more opportunity for that in the new facility.
Biochemistry is a growing field and a lot of our chemistry majors are interested in it.
Another necessary change is the addition of an organic chemistry laboratory in which all students can work under a fume hood. This will make it possible to do some larger scale experiments which are not possible now because of ventilation restrictions. Other departments also stand to gain substantial space because of the shifts that will occur with the opening of the new facility and the renovation of the old building. Biology, as a partner with chemistry in the new facility, will also profit from more research space and laboratories. The biology department will occupy the first floor and share the second floor with an emphasis there on biochemistry.