By Jackie Todd, University Relations
The South Carolina Legislature’s Joint Bond Review Committee (JBRC) approved plans for a day care center on Clemson’s main campus, according to executive vice president and provost Robert H. Jones.
Jones, who spoke at yesterday’s Faculty Senate meeting said that the committee approval brings the center closer to reality. Clemson’s board of trustees approved the center’s design work in 2015.
“I applaud the positive support from the South Carolina legislative committee and the hard work that so many Clemson faculty, staff and administrators have provided to help make this valuable idea come to fruition,” he said.
Thompson Mefford spent part of yesterday watching the livestreamed legislative session. Mefford, who serves as the faculty representative to the board of trustees, said that in the next step, Clemson officials will present to the State Fiscal Accountability Authority Tuesday. With that group’s approval, the project will enter into the design and engineering phase. Once the design process is complete, the project then goes back for a second round of state reviews.
“Today’s approval marks the state recognition of the importance of this facility,” he said. “This is the product of the hard work of many Clemson team members working with the university’s legislative affairs office in Columbia.”
The 12,700 square-foot facility, to be located near the Snow Family Outdoor Fitness and Wellness Center on the main campus, is expected to cost about $5 million and will be financed with existing funds. Officials said the center will be managed and operated through a third-party vendor and provide a safe, secure, and stimulating learning environment for infants, toddlers and preschool-aged children, ages 6 weeks to 5 years old.
