By Jackie Todd, Office of University Relations
Plans for a main campus child care center continue to move forward.
Clemson’s board of trustees gave final approval to a $5 million construction budget for the center at its Feb. 9 meeting. Officials said the 12,700 square-foot facility will be operated and managed by a third-party provider and will meet accreditation, regulatory and licensing requirements, important in maintaining a safe, secure and stimulating learning environment.
The center, which will serve infants, toddlers and preschool-aged children, ages 6 weeks to 5 years old, will be located near the Snow Family Fitness and Wellness Center. Executive Vice President for Finance and Operations Brett Dalton said the location was part of the university’s master plan to find a place that’s convenient for drop off and pick up of children and for parents who need to visit, monitor, feed or care for their children during the day.
Dalton said the funds for the center will not come from the state.
“The center will use no state-appropriated funds, no tuition or fee revenues,” he explained. “It’s been funded by money that’s been set aside in a restricted endowment for faculty and staff benefit.”
Faculty Senate President Amy Lawton-Rauh said that the center is long-awaited and will contribute to attracting and retaining faculty.
“This is especially good for faculty, especially in the post-doc realm or early-career faculty,” she said. “This will benefit faculty and staff, including research associates, and is a fantastic mechanism for recruiting and retaining them.”
The Staff Senate president was equally excited.
“We’ve been waiting for this,” said Leigh Dodson. “I think the convenience will be awesome for staff with small children. It’s a great thing.”
The center has cleared a number of hurdles. Clemson’s board of trustees gave initial concept approval in July 2015. Plans for the center then went through review by the Commission on Higher Education, which approved of phase I in November 2016. Last October, the state’s Joint Bond Review Committee gave its nod to Phase I of the project.
The child care center is slated to be completed in Spring 2020.
Learn about other board of trustee actions here.
