Construction of the Future Institute of Engineering building began in October, 2013. It was part of the college’s plan to become a top 20 engineering school by 2030. The building comprises four stories above ground and six below, and will include experimental laboratories, professors’ offices, and seminar rooms. However, how those facilities will be assigned has not yet been determined within the College of Engineering. “The construction of the exterior of the building has already been completed, but nothing has been done in the inside,” said Kim Heung Duk, Head of the KU Design and Construction Department. He added that what makes assigning facilities more difficult is that the decisions are closely related to facility use in other buildings.

 

Cost is another factor that has caused the construction to be interrupted. According to Kim, funds for the building’s construction fell short of the initial plan. Besides, the construction is left with the finishing work, which costs the most in the course of the construction. The KU Design and Construction Department and College of Engineering administrators are currently examining ways to provide additional financing and how to make best use of the remaining funds. “Even though they are receiving consultations, it will most likely take a long time to resolve the situation.” Kim said.

 

KU students' indifference has made the situation worse. Many students do not know about the real story of the Future Institute of Engineering building, even though it sits unused on the campus. “It is hard for me to figure out what is going on at our campus, because most construction is done after classes or at night. I just assumed that additional work was going on,” said Jung Ki Wan (’13, Mechanical Engineering). Park Beoung Hyuck (’14, Civil, Environmental and Architectural Engineering) added, “I did not even know where it is. If its construction is still ongoing, I hope it would be complete when I finish my military service. Then, I can take advantage of its facilities.”

 

When these issues—disagreement between the agents involved and students indifference to campus issues—meet, it results in such a stagnation, and the problems with the Future Institute of Engineering building is a perfect example of it. These issues, however, are not new to KU. Rather, they are typical of what occurs whenever something happens on campus. Prompt coordination and cooperation of the school and the students are what KU needs now.