Provost and Executive Vice Chancellor Virginia Hinshaw points out features of the new Mathematical Sciences Building with campus architect Bob Strand, as they talk to Ali Daddel and Hong Xiao from the mathematics department at a ground-breaking ceremony for the building held April 28. The building, under construction for about a month, will house the departments of mathematics and statistics, as well as the Center for Computational Science and Engineering. Located next door to Engineering III, it will be a 65,000-square-foot facility. "Like many other departments, we resemble a can of sardines at the moment," said John Hunter, chair of mathematics. "This building will provide the space to enhance the quality of our department." Winston Ko, dean of the Division of Mathematical and Physical Sciences, also spoke at the event. "Mathematics is getting to be the language of science in our society, so a strong math department is the core of a competent workforce for the state of California," he said. Hinshaw noted that the building, slated to open in winter 2005, fulfills a major Long Range Developement Plan objective by providing clusters of related programs on campus. It represents $13 million of the $354 million in projected campus developments approved as part of the LRDP, she said.

— By Mike Sintetos