Now completing its sixth year, UCONN 2000--a visionary 10-year,
$1 billion infrastructure renewal program--provides the most visible indication of the University's emergence as the top public university in New England.

"UCONN 2000 truly sets a national standard for public higher education," says President Philip E. Austin. "While many institutions have construction projects underway, I am aware of no other university building program in the United States of this magnitude or complexity."

Student life at UConn has benefited enormously through the UCONN 2000 program. For 2000-01, construction was completed on the Northwest campus residential community that features student room renovations, the additions of study and meeting areas, and a new food-court-style dining commons. To enhance student service, the historic Wilbur Cross Building is being transformed into a central, one-stop location integrating financial aid, registration, dining services and residential life, among other programs.

Projects nearing completion this year include the School of Business building, which promises to be one of the finest business school facilities in the nation, Hilltop-area residential communities offering suite-style rooms and, for the first time on campus, apartment-style housing. UConn's first campus-based hotel--the Nathan Hale Inn and Conference Center--is preparing to open as well. The Inn will be a full-service hotel for visiting families, faculty and dignitaries.

The dynamic physical development spans the entire University system. At the Avery Point campus, UConn's nationally recognized marine sciences program occupies a new 116,000-square-foot research facility. In addition, the Litchfield Agricultural Center at the Torrington campus and a new student center and computer facility at the Greater Hartford campus are complete. Design is proceeding for a new $25.5 million UConn campus in downtown Waterbury.

Thanks in large part to the UCONN 2000 initiative, the University is enjoying remarkable success in student recruitment and retention, attracting world-class scholars, and securing significant research funding. The cranes that fill the skyline over UConn's campuses are indicative of a truly remarkable success story in American public higher education and suggest there are still great things ahead in the University's ascent into the top ranks of public higher education in the nation.