This Academic Research Facilities Modernization Program (ARFMP) award from the Research Facilities Office provides funds to Barnard College for the renovation and repair of Altschul Hall which houses that institution's biology research and research training activities. This building was constructed in 1969 and has not been renovated since that time. The ARFMP grant of $125,000 and $125,000 provided by the grantee as cost sharing will be used to modernize these research and research training facilities. This project will address the need to improve the current research infrastructure by enhancing the adequacy of the space for accommodating disparate activities, including increasing its capacity for the maintenance of various cultures of micro- organisms and the housing of experiments, and by an overall upgrading of the space involving modification of its structure and the electrical, the plumbing, and the heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems. The increased availability of laboratory space to students that accrues from this renovation can be expected to raise the quality of the student research training experience and to permit more students to study and major in biology. This award contributes to the infrastructure of science by providing an improved environment for the conduct of research and the training of quality undergraduate students. It will help Barnard College maintain and expand its long standing leadership as an undergraduate source of women scientists.
