It is difficult to dispute Georgetown’s relative inadequacy in terms of science facilities. Anyone who has visited the Reiss Science Building, or even walked past, knows that it pales in comparison to other campuses’ buildings. Whether or not you’re a science major, this mars the Georgetown name, and every member of the Georgetown community under it. Students, faculty and alumni should push for major improvements.
“A new science building should be the first priority for the University,” Dr. Timothy Beach, director of Georgetown’s Center for the Environment said. “Our science infrastructure is outdated and insufficient and it is a weak area for an otherwise excellent university.” Indeed, the lab facilities in Reiss and White-Gravenor hall are over 43 years old, hardly able to address the needs of a growing academic research university.
Though science majors certainly feel the burn most sharply, it is important to note what this does to the Georgetown’s standing among other universities. According to a recent survey by the National Science Foundation, academic- research-performing institutions have steadily been expanding space at least by four percent since 1988, with an 11 percent increase in average square footage of research space from FY 2001 to 2003 alone. “I frankly do not know how long our ratings can stay high without improving our science infrastructure,” Beach said.
Science facilities are among the most expensive to build due to special considerations like vibration-free floors, electrical power capability and vacuum and gas lines. The University will have to incur a lot of debt to get the job done.
According to Ellen J. Henderson, Chair of the Biology Department, Georgetown’s top administrators, including President DeGioia, Provost O’Donnell and the Board of Directors, are all behind moving science facility construction to the top of the priorities.
Fundraising has begun on the main campus and Alan Brangman, the University architect, hopes to have all the necessary funds raised by the time that the McDonough School of Business is completed, according to Henderson.
“It is much easier for alumni to understand the benefit of contributions to athletic, dormitory and performing arts facilities than for sciences ones,” Henderson said.
As the importance of science grows in the wake of natural disasters, bio-threats, and ecological hazards, the Georgetown community badly needs to revamp its science facilities. In doing so, it will defend the scholastic excellence to which Georgetown University stakes claim.
