By AP/KWMU
Edwardsville, Ill. – Officials at Southern Illinois University-Edwardsville say the campus's science building needs the renovations and expansion being considered by lawmakers.
Teachers say the main lecture halls can fit 360 students a semester in chemistry and biology. But enrollment in those classes will hit 550 students this year.
The building also only has three labs to serve 1,800 students.
Governor Rod Blagojevich presented a capital budget recently that includes $2.8 million to design an expansion and renovation of the science building. If lawmakers approve the money, the design would be complete next year.
The entire project - including design and actual construction - has an estimated cost of $41 million.