Research@KU

KUCR Offices to Relocate During Youngberg Renovation

Nearly half the staff of the KU Center for Research (KUCR) will relocate from Youngberg Hall to other locations in mid-December. The south wing of Youngberg is being vacated in order to renovate its antiquated heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) systems. The project is expected to last five to six months.

"We realize this may pose some hardships for the KU research community,” said Jim Roberts, vice provost for research. “We will do everything possible to avoid disruptions and ensure continuity of service to researchers."

Affected KUCR groups include Proposal Services, Contract Negotiations, Sponsored Programs Administration, Networks and Information Systems, Human Subjects, Facilities Administration, Research Training, and Research Communications.

Plans are being finalized to move these groups to four other buildings: Strong Hall, the Life Sciences Research Labs, the Wakarusa Research Facility, and the Multidisciplinary Research Building. Groups will be housed together as much as possible.

"The south wing has had HVAC problems for many years," said Roberts. "A staff survey in February confirmed the situation. It's too hot in summer and too cold in winter, and sometimes it's the other way around. This is a bad situation for the staff, and it needs to be fixed."

The south wing was built in 1960 for the Center for Research in Engineering Science, predecessor to KUCR. The north wing was added in 1985, when Youngberg was home to KU Endowment.

Groups remaining in Youngberg include Research Integrity, Business Services, Finance and Budgeting, Compensation and Appointments, Research Information, Technology Transfer and Intellectual Property, and Business Relations and Development.

Information about the disposition of KUCR staff and updates on the project will be posted to the Youngberg Hall HVAC Project page.