A partnership between the city and Federal Express Corp. is providing a glimmer of hope in light of the higher education funding problems at The University of Memphis.
A recent City Council meeting resulted in unanimous approval of a resolution appropriating $1 million over the next two years to help build The Federal Express Emerging Technology Complex in the heart of the University of Memphis campus, on the corner of Norriswood and DeLoach, just south of the Fogelman College of Business and Economics. The money will be added to a $5 million dollar donation from Federal Express Corp.
The technology center will house a technologically equipped 200-seat forum, computer labs, training room, collaboration suites, hardware and software development labs, exhibit area and a "cyber cafe," according to Campus Planning and Development.
The City of Memphis committed $2 million from General Obligation Bonds for the complex as a Capital Improvement Project over a four-year period, according to council records. This is the second year of the commitment, and the project is moving toward being finished earlier than the initial four-year time frame. An executive briefing summary lists August 2002 as the date of completion.
Councilman Jack Sammons, who also serves on the National Alumni Board for The U of M, said he understands the city's need to step in, and he applauds the collaborative effort between the city and Federal Express.
"(The U of M has) some very talented people over there, given the current fiscal situation of the state and the challenges involved in funding higher education," he said. "That's the only way we're really going to make progress in this area -- for everybody to participate."
Representatives from The University of Memphis and Federal Express went before the City Council to ask for $500,000 to be appropriated in next year's budget, and another $500,000 the year after that.
Dr. O'Neal Smitherman, U of M executive assistant to the president, is the director of the FedEx Emerging Technology Complex. Smitherman orchestrated an audio/visual presentation to the council at the meeting explaining the magnitude of the project.
"What we'd like to do is give you just a snippet of how exciting this project is and how important it is for the City of Memphis," he said, "Our new theme is 'Dreamers, Thinkers and Doers at The U of M,' and our tagline for the new technology is, 'where learning and technology merge.'"
According to Smitherman's presentation, the new project will be the first of its kind in the world. Numerous companies, spearheaded by Federal Express, will be involved in providing everything from virtual classrooms to fast internet connections for students.
Dr. John Pepin, dean of the Fogelman College of Business and Economics, said the project will benefit more than just business majors.
"We're trying to incorporate and get more students to be broad in their learning process, not just the college of business," Pepin said. "It's a University concept. For example, Dick Ranta (dean of the College of Communications and Fine Arts), is doing a multimedia project with us now, so we can tie business into the multimedia aspects of it. I can imagine it'll be into music soon."
Federal Express executives say they're looking at the project as an investment in the community and are working with The U of M to make sure they develop the kind of graduates who can compete in the world at "Internet speed."
"The University of Memphis is obviously a leader in many areas, and we thought that it would be a good investment of FedEx's money to put that first seed money into creating The FedEx Emerging Technology Complex," said Laurie Tucker, a senior vice president of Global Product Marketing for FedEx corporate services and a 1978 graduate of The U of M.
Tucker said the "seed money" is something to be built upon.
"We need to still raise 15 million dollars, maybe more," she said. "We would like to have more, because the more we talked about this complex, the bigger the idea becomes."
According to David Zanka, the vice president of information technology at Federal Express, the "seed money" is nearly paid in full.
"FedEx made a gift of $5 million to seed the center," Zanka said. "I'm pleased to say we've made two of those payments, and the final payment comes due in a couple of months. At that point, the $5 million will be completely contributed, and I think that's an important point to make."
Zanka told the council Federal Express has always taken an active role in the community and has taken a direct role in making sure the new project benefits everyone.
"The programs, the people and the curriculum are absolutely critical," he said. "We're continuing our involvement, and we view it as an investment, and in an investment, we look for a return and to make sure we have been investing in people time."
Zanka further explained what he meant by people time. He said one of his directors has been working with Dr. John Pepin, and as the programs start to materialize, FedEx will pay a full time officer to be dedicated to the program and provide guidance and input as it goes forward.
According to Ann Wolf, a vice president of information technology at Federal Express, groundbreaking for the new facility will occur May 2.
