Trustees approve construction of $29.5 million Virtual Learning Center at Ferris State University

Ferris State University trustees approved the investment of $29.5 million in a new facility that will house the School of Digital Media, the School of Education and eLearning, and the Information Security and Intelligence program. The planned Center for Virtual Learning will also provide space for esports competitions and online learning support. It will be located on campus near the FLITE library at the current site of Vandercook Hall which will be demolished to make way for the new building. Plans are to have the Center for Virtual Learning operational by January 2023.

FSU announced the approval in a news release which provided more details on the project. The Center for Virtual Learning is part of the Michigan capital outlay project which spells out planning and financing of the construction, remodeling, and maintenance of facilities owned by the state. The most recent capital outlay signed by Governor Whitmer authorized the spending by the state and the final step in approval came when the board of trustees at FSU voted to approve the project. 

Administrators expressed enthusiasm for the Center for Virtual Learning as a way for FSU to distinguish itself from other universities and colleges in the state, and as a symbol of commitment to providing high-tech learning opportunities for students. As President David Eisler said, "The Center for Virtual Learning represents our commitment to providing students and faculty with state-of-the-art facilities for teaching and learning. The development and creation of this signature building will change the landscape of Ferris State University and support our students and faculty engaged in these high demand career fields."

Bobby Fleischman, provost and vice president for Academic Affairs described the project as an opportunity for FSU to provide students with the tools they will need to join an increasingly sophisticated professional world, "The Center for Virtual Learning presents a unique opportunity for Ferris to showcase ourselves as a leader in innovation and technology among our peers in the state of Michigan. The CVL brings our information security, artificial intelligence, and computer science programs together with education, digital media and e-sports programming in synergistic ways that will afford our students an opportunity to develop skills engaging technology that will prepare them to enter a dynamic, technologically-driven workforce."

The phases of the construction project are spelled out in another post from FSU. The design phase is scheduled to be completed by May 2021, then the project will turn toward asbestos removal and demolition of Vandercook Hall, making way for construction of the Center for Virtual Learning by August 2021, with occupancy scheduled for January 2023.