The University of Utah Board of Trustees on Monday approved bonding for $9.5 million worth of building renovations to benefit the School of Medicine and other health sciences departments.
The money would cover structural and system upgrades to an existing building in the U. Research Park. Funds would also be used to purchase equipment and provide space for research labs and offices.
U. officials said this week their goal is to create "first class" facilities for what is becoming a nationally recognized research university.
Also on Monday, U. trustees were told that for the first time in the school's history, the university will at least reach — and probably surpass — the $300 million mark in research money awarded to the school during a fiscal year.
"It's a tribute to the productivity of our great faculty," said Raymond Gesteland, vice president for research.
The research money is divided among several departments. Most of the funds come from federal sources and from contracting with private companies.