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March 3, 2006

Chemistry and Physics Building

Dedication ceremony today

Spaniolo and an astronaut will speak at the science facility’s grand opening.

Story by: A.J. Eaton

Contributor to The Shorthorn

The $39.9 million Chemistry and Physics Building will be officially dedicated today at 1:30 p.m., with the public opening of the planetarium Saturday at 10 a.m.

Construction of the new building began in November 2003, and classes have been held in the building since January 2005.

President James Spaniolo and Brig. Gen. Robert Stuart will speak briefly at the dedication.

Stuart, an alumnus, is an astronaut who has logged 289 hours in space and was a crew member on both the Challenger and Atlantis shuttles.

Science Dean Paul Paulus said the building is a much more pleasant environment for students to learn in and an attraction to bring people to the campus.

“Science Hall was inadequate for the purposes we needed — mainly research,” he said. “The new building will help the university maintain its status as a top-flight research facility and provide excellent teaching facilities to help the students learn.”

The building houses a computer farm, a computing program that can analyze large amounts of data. Paulus said this program will help drive the College of Science forward.

He said plans are being discussed to renovate the current chemistry facility in Science Hall.

Saturday’s planetarium events include demonstrations from various science departments, a chemistry magic show and a solar system exhibit.

The opening show, “The Stars at Night are Big and Bright,” will be free and open to the public. Show times start at 10 a.m. and run hourly until 4 p.m. The film October Sky will be shown and discussed.

The planetarium will also host a variety of shows throughout the semester and rock ’n’ roll laser-light shows every Thursday at 8 p.m.

Sue Stevens, media relations specialist in the Public Affairs office, said the planetarium will bring people to campus that haven’t been here before.

“The planetarium is a destination facility that everyone in Arlington will be proud of,” she said. “When people think of Arlington, they’ll think Six Flags, the ballpark and the planetarium at UTA.”

CORRECTION

The article should have stated that classes have been held in the Chemistry and Physics Building since January 2006.
All planetarium shows will cost $2 for UTA students, $3 for faculty and staff and $4 for senior citizens and children.