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n e w h a v e n b i z . c o m | M a r c h 2 0 2 2 | n e w h a v e n B I Z 23 YOUR EDUCATION YOUR WAY IN-PERSON | ONLINE | HYBRID catch up or get ahead with Summer Sessions 203.332.5000 Housatonic.edu/enroll/winter-summer-sessions 203.857.7000 Norwalk.edu/academics/calendar 203.285.2000 Gatewayct.edu/GCCSummer H i g h e r E d u c a t i o n fintech major and certificate in entrepreneurship. "We are not standing still," Raider said. "... ose are areas that are super hot from a career standpoint." Other in-demand business fields include accounting, busi- ness analytics, human resources, talent management supply chain, marketing and finance, she said. New academic, dorm space As part of the overall $244 million construction investment, Quinnipiac also plans to build a new 137,000-square-foot general academic building, with space for classrooms, labs, a greenhouse and animal habitat. e building will also feature space to expand the universi- ty's computing programs, collaborative spaces for breakout and group study, and offices for deans and faculty. Plans are for the building to feature an auditorium for up to 800 people to host university and community events. e South Quad project also in- cludes a new 417-bed residence hall, which would allow the school to offer more single- and double-occupancy rooms. It would enable more students to live on campus and feature gath- ering spaces, lounges and an outdoor courtyard. Olian said more living space is needed, as the university aims to provide a "comprehensive living and learning experience." During the COVID-19 pandemic, Quinnipiac got rid of quad and triple rooms, so it needs more rooms and beds. e community also asked the university to host more students on campus. University officials have said there have been past complaints about students living in off-campus housing coming home late or being too noisy. Quinnipiac's leaders have instituted a mandatory residential experience for new students, requiring non- commuters to live on campus for three years. e $244 million total price tag will be funded through the university's endowment, philanthropic efforts and debt financing. e goal, pending town approvals, is to have shovels in the ground this summer, with all three new buildings finished and ready to open in 2024, Olian said. Arthur H. Rice, chairman of Quinnipiac's Board of Trustees, said the new buildings will support "advanced faculty research and immersive teaching approaches." Design of the future e new construction is just the latest part of Quinnipiac's facilities growth plan. In 2021, the school unveiled a 10- year master facilities plan, "Designing Our Future," which covers all of its three locations, including the Mount Carmel, York Hill and North Haven campuses. e university opted to first pursue a project the entire Quinnipiac community could benefit from, a new $45 million, 60,000-square-foot Recreation & Wellness Center on the Mount Carmel campus. Construction for that new center is already underway, and it will feature space and programming aimed at recreation and improving health, physical fitness and wellness. ere will be a rock climbing wall, space for yoga and meditation, a weight room and exercise space. e project has experienced some delays due to supply chain challenges, Olian said. "We are excited," Olian said. "It won't be just about physical fitness, but the well-being of faculty, staff and students." Olian said she anticipates portions of the recreation and wellness center will be ready to open in August, with it fully open by October. n A rendering of the new South Quad at Quinnipiac University. IMAGE | CONTRIBUTED

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