PITTSBURGH — Since November, Carnegie Mellon University has received two generous gifts for renovations and expansions totaling nearly $80 million. These financial investments will change the face of the Pittsburgh campus, and create expanded educational opportunities for Carnegie Mellon students.
PHOENIX — Grand Canyon University has announced plans to develop a new campus in Mesa, Ariz., advancing the private, for-profit Christian school’s goal of doubling enrollment by 2016.
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — Knox County commissioners approved a lease agreement in December with the Tennessee Board of Regents on behalf of the new magnet school at Pellissippi State Community College’s Strawberry Plains Pike campus in Knoxville.
NEW YORK — After an eight-year struggle and millions in fundraising efforts, the students of the low-income Bronx neighborhood Highbridge now have its first middle school.
RIYADH, Saudi Arabia — Princess Nora Bint Abdulrahman University (PNU) in Riyadh opened in 2011 and completed its final phase earlier this year. The global firm of Perkins+Will, in collaboration with Dar Al-Handasah (Shair and Partners), designed the campus.
PALO ALTO, Calif. — After already pumping millions into its burgeoning Arts District, Stanford University is planning to add another arts facility to its growing campus. Stanford students struggling to find performance and rehearsal space are applauding the school’s decision to construct a new “arts gym.” This drop-in studio and performance space will increase arts resources at the school where students have been forced to practice in parking lots and dorm lounges.
PHILADELPHIA — Results from a new independent nationwide survey, announced during a press conference at the Greenbuild Conference & Expo in Philadelphia, revealed three out of four Americans are supportive of green schools. The survey, sponsored by Hartford, Conn.-headquartered United Technologies Corp. (UTC) and the U.S. Green Building Council’s (USGBC) Center for Green Schools, researched Americans’ attitudes toward the country’s public school buildings and investments to modernize school infrastructure.
OBERLIN, Ohio — Thanks to an $8 million gift from the Austin E. Knowlton Foundation, Oberlin College will soon begin construction on a new, state-of-the-art athletic facility. Named for its donor, the Austin E. Knowlton Athletic Complex will offer students an array of recreational opportunities in a modern and attractive multipurpose space.
PHILADELPHIA — The Center for Green Schools at the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC), in conjunction with the World Green Building Council (WGBC), announced the 29 founding members of the Global Coalition for Green Schools at the Greenbuild International Conference & Expo International Summit on Nov. 19 in Philadelphia.
PHILADELPHIA — A Pennsylvania state senate bill that could drastically change the way charter schools are authorized, financed and monitored may soon go to vote. S.B. 1085 has drawn both support and opposition from lawmakers, as well as both public and charter school groups. If passed, it will be the first successful legislation reforming Pennsylvania’s charter school system in 16 years.
