Pharmacy school at Hilo to get facilities
Associated Press
The state is spending $6 million to design and build temporary facilities to house the new College of Pharmacy at the University of Hawaii at Hilo.
This school year's inaugural class of 90 students is using laboratories and classrooms belonging to the university's biology and chemistry departments.
The temporary facilities will include classrooms, teaching labs and offices. Construction is to begin in February and be complete in the fall of next year.
The college is the first school recognized by the Accreditation Council of Pharmacy Education to offer the doctor of pharmacy degree in Hawaii.
"The pharmacy program at UH-Hilo provides students in Hawaii with an opportunity to enter an exciting and sought-after career," Gov. Linda Lingle said Thursday.
"This project will ensure the college continues to meet the requirements set forth by the Accreditation Council of Pharmacy Education while permanent facilities are being planned," she said.
Current plans call for the addition of 80 to 90 students per year for a total of four classes, school officials said.
When the program was approved by the Board of Regents in 2004, it was expected to cost about $25 million for construction of a new building. UH-Hilo is seeking federal and private funding for the building. However, the school might go to the Legislature if that funding does not come through.
UH-Hilo will also need state and federal subsidies of about $6.8 million during startup, regents were told.