GOVERNOR CRIST APPLAUDS FLORIDA HIGHER-EDUCATION PARTNERSHIP

~~ ~~ New shared facility expands University of Central Florida’s course offerings on the west side of Orlando ~~ ~~

October 29, 2009

Contact:

GOVERNOR’S PRESS OFFICE
850-488-5394

ORLANDO — Governor Charlie Crist today joined Florida educators for the Valencia Community College/University of Central Florida (UCF) University Center Dedication, a partnership that expands access for affordable higher education. The new shared facility will accommodate classes offered by both institutions with more than 40 classrooms, a state-of-the-art testing center, computer labs, study rooms, faculty and staff offices and a café.

“Increasing access to higher education strengthens the overall talent of our workforce and opens new doors to economic opportunity and security,” said Governor Crist. “This innovative partnership will provide Floridians greater opportunities to earn a wide variety of four-year degrees and ultimately achieve great things.”

The University Center, located on Valencia’s campus, welcomed 775 UCF students for class this August. The $23 million, three-story, 100,000-square-foot facility on Valencia’s West Campus enables UCF to offer complete bachelor’s degrees in nursing, electrical engineering, applied science, business administration, interdisciplinary studies and psychology. Valencia’s engineering programs are also housed in the building, including programs in electrical engineering and computer engineering.

Valencia and UCF have applied to receive LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certification at the gold level for the building’s environmentally friendly design, construction and energy-saving features. The building is 28 percent more efficient than a conventional building, which results in about $35,000 in annual energy savings. Solar panels installed on the roof provide 10 percent of the electricity that powers the building.