Regents approve new Innovation Campus crash dynamics lab
The Kansas Board of Regents gave Wichita State the go-ahead to begin construction of a new crash dynamics laboratory on Innovation Campus.
Planning and construction of the new facility are expected to take 18 months to complete.
The current 4,500-square-foot facility features a dynamic sled system capable of reaching speeds of up to 50 mph. The sled system is equipped with crash test dummies and used to simulate various types of crash impacts for research on the safety of aircrafts, child restraints, and mass transit systems.
Elaine Frisbie, Kansas Board of Regents vice president of finance and administration, said the current facility is dated and the sled no longer supports upgrades. Instead of updating the facility again or replacing the current sled, WSU will be build a completely new facility on Innovation Campus.
The report said the new system will allow the National Institute for Aviation Research to expand its research to include “space capsule crashworthy seat design, high-speed impact automotive applications, side impact, and mass transit safety for multiple occupant configurations.”
The total cost of the brand new 13,500-square-foot facility is estimated at $7.5 million. Funds will come both from federal grants and restricted use funds generated through private industry use of the facility.
Frisbie said the existing facility will remain in use for as long as possible after completion of the new facility, but it is reaching the end of its useful life.
Fake Pres. Bardo • Sep 30, 2017 at 8:45 pm
Why yes of course I can come up with $7.5 Million for a new building that very few people knew we had. But $15 million for the hesket center that would save over $100 million over the 50 year life of the YMCA, heck no WSU cannot afford $15 million, but we can afford some $100 million over a long period of time because we are a research university. As a research university I am privileged of spending money however I please. I can voice any opinion just to make people mad and when the time comes for answers, I’ll just schedule 3 months of meetings.
You better believe that next year WSU will see some BIG enrollment numbers. I’ll have long lines of students just waiting to get enrolled and send them straight to the office of financial aid for those sweet student loan deals.
Also note that it is my intention that Kansas students will receive less scholarship monies than out of state students. I’m trying to grow my university but I’m unfortunately stuck with this mixed group of non wealthy Kansas students who complain everytime I double the cost of on campus living. Give them expensive housing and loans to pay for it and I’m treated like I’m the bad guy.
As always
Fake Pres. Bardo
Steve • Sep 25, 2017 at 4:46 pm
How much is Tomblin’s kickback on this deal?