Frequently Asked Questions: Law Building Project
As the process of making the historic addition and renovation of the UND Law School building, there will be many questions along the way. This page will host the frequently asked questions related to the project and will continue to grow as new questions are asked. If you have a question about the project you do not see on this page, please send your specific question to Rob Carolin at carolin@law.und.edu or call 701.777.2104.
-What is the responsibility of the Building Planning Committee?
The Building Planning Committee is charged with working with the architects to provide effective coordination, implementation
and communication in the design phase, as well as ongoing support when the construction
begins. The planning will involve all members of the law school community through
the use of design focus teams addressing issues related to instruction, research,
student experience, administration, and library and information services. The Committee
consists of seven members and is co-chaired by Dean Kathryn Rand and Professor Paul
LeBel. In addition, President Kelley has named an 11 member group of external advisors
from the University and the legal profession who will be available to the Committee
to provide input, feedback, and expertise during the planning process
- What does the passage of Senate Bill 2003 mean for the UND Law School?
SB 2003 provides for an historic allocation of funding for an addition and renovation
of the University of North Dakota School of Law. The bill provides $11.4 million in
funding from the North Dakota State Legislature. Our project was funded at 95 percent
with the extra 5 percent held in a pool by the State Board of Higher Education with
the future possibility of obtaining some additional funding if necessary.
- Are there floor plans or blueprints for the building project?
Not yet. With the state appropriation, our first significant step will be to retain
an architect. We expect to spend Fall 2013 doing the careful planning that will result
in the floor plans and other architectural drawings for the project.
- How will the architect be selected?
Through an Agency Selection Committee appointed by the University. The Agency Selection
Committee serves in an advisory capacity to the vice president for Finance and Operations
on issues relating to the selection of architect, engineer, construction management
and land surveying services by the University as identified in North Dakota Century
Code (NDCC) 54-44.7. NDCC requires the University to negotiate contracts for services
on the basis of demonstrated competence and qualifications for the particular type
of services required. The Agency Selection Committee makes recommendations regarding
the selection of the most qualified person or firm for the project at hand. UPDATE: On July 9, 2013 the UND Law School released the Request for Architectural Services.
- Who was selected as the architect?
After going through the state mandated RFP process, UND President Robert Kelley has
announced that the project will be lead by ICON Architectural Group, a premiere architectural
firm in the Upper Midwest in partnership with SHW Group, a national architectural
firm specializing in education facilities. Together ICON and SHW Group bring extensive
experience working in higher education, specifically with law school building projects
across the nation.
- When will construction begin?
As we're just starting the process of the architectural planning for the addition
and renovation, we're not sure exactly when construction will begin. To allow the
careful planning this historic project requires, and to minimize disruption during
the 2013-2014 academic year, we anticipate that construction likely will begin in
May 2014.
- Will there be an entirely new building?
No. Our project is for a major addition to and renovation of our existing building.