Getting your learn on
Rice wants to be the university of Houston: Links to the city touted in newGlasscock School building
Rice University is out to disprove that other local college's claim to being the university of Houston.
President David Leebron made that clear at the unveiling of the plans for a new building to house the Glasscock School of Continuing Studies.
Rising on land near the main entrance from University Blvd., the new Glasscock School will contain 24 classrooms, conference rooms, a language center, an auditorium and a commons area and terrace for events totaling 51,000 square feet. Set in the school's signature red brick with extensive landscaping planned, the new building will be easily accessible for community members and also beautify one of the least attractive corners of the campus.
"We are figuratively and literally linked to the city of Houston," Leebron said of the Glasscock School, noting that the 43-year-old institution now has an annual enrollment of 12,000 — a figure Leebron hopes the new facility will raise to 15,000.
The project has a fundraising goal of $24 million, of which $9.5 million has already been committed, including a generous figure by school patrons Susanne and Mel Glasscock. Construction will begin when fundraising is complete.
One issue not answered is what will replace the large section of commuter student parking eaten up by the new building. Plans do not appear to include underground parking, and Rice has committed to never expand parking into existing green space on the campus.