The University of Memphis will soon add two new dormitories --about 25 miles from the other dorms on campus.
Construction at the Meeman Biological Field Station is scheduledto begin by the end of this summer.
Each dorm will house up to 20 students, faculty and visitingresearchers. A general use kitchen and a dining area that candouble as an additional meeting space and seminar rooms for smallconferences, are also part of the plans.
The field station has been a part of The U of M since the 1960sand is an extension for ongoing research and teaching, said JackGrubaugh, associate professor of biology and the Edward J. MeemanBiological Station committee director.
Facilities at the field station, approximately 24 miles north ofMemphis and adjacent to the Meeman-Shelby Forest, will costapproximately $760,000, Grubaugh said.
The National Science Foundation, the Office of the Provost, theOffice of Research Support and The University of Memphis Foundationare providing funding for the facility.
The decision to add the dorms came after an external advisorycommittee reviewed the station and told the department to "get moreuse" out of the station, Grubaugh said.
The new facilities will make it possible for the BiologyDepartment to increase its summer programs at the park by allowingpeople at the site yearlong.
"The really big thing is, visiting scientists from all over theworld can stay on site," Grubaugh said.
The addition of the dorms to the research space will mean moreconvenience for researchers, said Scott Franklin, assistantprofessor of biology and member of the station committee.
"We are trying to take it to another level both teaching andresearch wise," he said. "Showers are essential when doing fieldwork. There are no dormitories now, just bunk beds inclassrooms."
Current research at the station includes nutrient chemicalchanges in swamp eco-systems, studies on frogs, mammal populationsand studies on the Mississippi River, Grubaugh said.
"The University realizes how unique this is and how important itis to The University and its mission," Grubaugh said.
