To accommodate Utah Tech University’s growth over the last decade, the institution is breaking ground on a General Classroom Building ahead of the 2023-24 academic year.
A groundbreaking ceremony and reception is set to take place at 8:30 a.m. on Aug. 17 at the site of the future home of UT’s general education programs, located south of the Udvar-Hazy Business building. The event is free and the public is encouraged to attend.
Scheduled to open in Fall 2025, the building will house many programs from the university’s College of Humanities & Social Sciences, including Applied Sociology, Communication Studies, Criminal Justice, English, History & Political Science, Humanities & Philosophy, Media Studies and Psychology.
“The General Classroom Building will be a wonderful space for students to collaborate and engage in a transformative education of discovery, creativity and reflection,” Dr. Stephen Lee, dean of Utah Tech University’s College of Humanities & Social Sciences, said. “As Utah Tech continues to define itself as a leader in comprehensive education, this building will be the perfect place for students to gain a human-centered approach to problem solving and prepare for successful careers and lives as engaged citizens.”
The facility will add 120,091 square feet to campus including 53 teaching spaces, such as classrooms and labs. The building will also feature 125 faculty offices and 26 collaborative spaces to facilitate the hands-on learning experiences that are central to Utah Tech’s “active learning. active life.” approach to education.
Additionally, the project meets the state’s high-performance building standards by being energy efficient, being water wise, reducing construction waste and using low volatile organic compounds paints and materials. Lined with windows, the building will be lit with daylight and access to exterior views to support students, faculty and staff’s health and well-being. Estimated to cost roughly $70.5 million, including furnishings, the facility is being built through generous support from the Utah State Legislature with Method Studio hired as the architecture and design firm and Okland Construction serving as the contractor.
The new building also will help the university accommodate its growing student body. Since securing university status in 2013, Utah Tech University has increased enrollment from 8,863 to more than 12,500 students, added 189 academic programs and increased the number of full-time employees by 70 percent.
Programs within Utah Tech’s College of Humanities & Social Sciences prepare students to graduate career ready by teaching skills that employers prioritize, including effective oral and written communication, critical thinking, collaborative teamwork and sophisticated analytical skills. To learn more, visit colleges.utahtech.edu/humanities.