Ron Mack readies the last steel beam to be hoisted into place during a topping-out ceremony for the soon-to-be-completed Institute of Behavioral Sciences building Friday. The new building will provide a central location for the IBS program, which is currently housed in eight different buildings scattered across the Boulder campus. (CU Independent/Lauren Walter)
The placement of the last steel beam for the Institute of Behavioral Science (IBS) building marks the beginning of a more streamlined management for the institute’s programs.
Dick Jessor, the founder of IBS says the building has been a long time coming.
“IBS is the second-oldest research institute on campus,” Dick Jessor said during his speech at the “topping-out ceremony” Friday morning. “The institute got approval in 1957 and expanded into eleven different buildings which made research collaboration very difficult.”
The ceremony was held at 10 a.m. Friday on the corner of Grandview Ave and 15th St., the construction site of the IBS building.
The audience silenced as Jane Menken, director of IBS, stepped on stage to deliver her opening remarks.
“Now we’ll have a home under one roof,” Menken said during her opening speech.
According to a press release, IBS is comprised of five research programs: The Problem Behavior Program, the Health and Society Program, the Population Program, the Environment and Society Program, and the Political and Economic Change Program.
Megan Rose, the communication specialist for planning design and construction of the IBS building, explained the importance of placing the IBS research programs under one roof.
“They have been dispersed and that does not promote any collaboration,” Rose said. “So the fact they are getting this building after 50 years to collaborate just strengthens their research.”
Alphonse Keasley, the assistant vice chancellor for the Office of Diversity, Equity & Community Engagement at CU, signs the last steel beam for the Institute of Behavioral Sciences building shortly before it is hoisted into place during a topping-out ceremony Friday. Guests' signatures, quotes from philosophers and scientists and the names of IBS directors covered the beam. The building is expected to be finished in this fall. (CU Independent/Lauren Walter)
Rose said the IBS is currently separated in old buildings around residence housing.
Stein Sture, Interim Provost and Executive Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs, said that the IBS building reflects the values of the Flagship 2030 plan.
“The research of IBS demonstrates both local Colorado commitment as well as international society issues,” Sture said.
Rose said among its contributions, IBS has studied natural hazards post-hurricane Katrina, the study of African population, and the study of teenager’s tendencies to binge drink and have violent behavior.
“I mean truly, IBS is one that works into the Boulder community a lot,” Rose said. “They are doing a lot of incredible research that will promote work on urgent social problems.”
Chancellor Phil DiStefano followed Menken’s opening remarks to the sustainability efforts of the IBS building.
“This building is a prime example of our sustainability goals,” DiStefano said during his speech. “Our goal is to minimize our carbon footprint while constructing a comfortable atmosphere.”
The construction of the building includes energy efficient lighting and window glass, DiStefano said.
According to a press release, the 50,000 square foot IBS building is a $14 million project funded by campus revenue and private gifts.
“It’s not state funded at all and tax payers are not funding any of it,” Rose said.
Following brief remarks from DiStefano and Sture, Menken returned to deliver thanks to the CU administration, donors, architects, and neighbors.
“We make a promise to you that we will be good neighbors in the future,” Menken said during her speech.
Jessor delivered his final remarks and the commencement of the “topping-out ceremony” officially began.
The audience watched as the beam, carrying signatures by those involved in the production of the building and quotations from two philosophers and a social scientist was placed at the top of the building.
“It was so wonderful watching that final beam go up,” Menken said.
Jessor said that watching the placement of the final beam was the culmination of a lot of work.
“It’s a fulfillment of something so many of us have felt for such a long time,” Jessor said. “It shows a concern for societies social problems and it really meant a lot.”
The first launch of the IBS building will be in 28 weeks, Menken said.
Contact CU Independent Staff Writer Kylie Horner at Kylie.horner@colorado.edu.
