The College of Business Building which was completed in 2005 blends the small college campus environment with a corporate presence and state-of-the-art technologies. The current challenge for the College is that there has not been an increase in funding for operational and recapitalization needs. To maintain and continue to utilize emerging technologies and develop our facility we need the financial assistance of our business partners and alumni donors. Listed in this document are a number of areas where additional investment will enable the College to maintain and continue its services and history of advancement in new technologies.
To name a room an individual or corporation must establish an endowment with the University Foundation. Only outright gifts (cash, securities and real and personal property approved by the Foundation) and written enforceable pledges for up to five years may be used to fully or partially fund a named opportunity. The appropriate development director works with the donor(s) to create a written funding plan/agreement and keep the final signed copy on file with the Illinois State University Foundation. Naming requests will not be activated until agreed funding requirements are met and the permission to use the donor’s name is received in writing. The University President, Executive Committee of the Foundation, and the Executive Director of the Foundation retain the right to deny any endowed naming opportunity. Naming recognition shall be restricted to one naming opportunity per qualifying gift.
With your involvement and support we will continue on our path to greater distinction, and in the process enhance the value and pride of your degree from the College of Business. Contact College of Business Development Director Norris Porter neporte@ilstu.edu (309) 438-2297 to learn more about the specific needs of the College and how you can help make outstanding learning opportunities available for today’s students.
COB Building Naming levels
- $1.5 Million
- Main Computer Lab : The main computer lab is an open lab with 112 stations where students can work on projects outside of class. The lab is equipped with printers, scanners and other equipment to meet student needs, doubling our former capacity. The computer lab is designed to support student class work with both Microsoft Office for preparation of papers, reports, and analysis, as well as, providing access to specialized software to include statistical, financial, accounting, programming, and simulations software that cannot be provided to students for home use based on licensing agreements. Twelve workstations are available for students who need to work on group projects.
- $500,000
- The Courtyard: In a 21st century version of the Oxford College model, the building's four stories wrap around an open-air courtyard. Three arched openings from the Quad lead directly into the courtyard, attracting students, faculty, alumni and our business friends to informal study sessions, conversation, and meetings. The patio level of the courtyard leads into the lower level of the atrium where the student lounge/study area is located, along with the computer labs and food service. Wireless access is available in the patio area.
- Business Information Systems Lab: Our Business Information Systems faculty focus on collaborative use of programming software to solve business problems. To facilitate this goal, a special lab was created to provide both advanced computer support for each student combined with table configurations that assist in systems development by small groups. Students work to develop a combination of programming expertise and critical thinking to match software solutions with business needs. This computer lab has a full instructor audio/visual system and 32 student workstations.
- Financial Services Technology Center: The Financial Markets Lab is the home of the Finance, Insurance and Law Department's Educational Investment Fund, a student managed, real dollar portfolio. The room is equipped with state-of-the-art technology and the latest in financial software, including a Bloomberg financial analysis computer with access to real-time financial markets information. The lab allows students and faculty to focus on simulations, intensive analysis, and tools of the financial world.
- Executive Classroom: The Executive Classroom recognizes our commitment to life-long learning and continuing education. This classroom's primary role is to encourage interaction with and instruction for our business partners. Its secondary role is to provide a state-of-the-art capability to connect with other colleges, universities and businesses using IP/Network-based connectivity to run joint training sessions for remote locations. To accomplish these roles the student environment has a higher level of appearance in recognition of the expectations of the executives and business leaders that will be using this facility. The professional environment and distance learning equipment provides a unique opportunity to attract our business partners and in so doing increase opportunities for interaction between these leaders and our students. This room provides an executive training environment for business leaders and an opportunity for interaction with our students during their visits. This area of the building supports catering and spaces for relaxed conversation between sessions.
- Seminar Focus Group Room: The Focus Group Room provides observation and multimedia capabilities allowing the Marketing Department to pursue marketing research by training students to conduct group interactions with videotaping and presentation capability. This specialized facility represents one of the most advanced learning labs between Chicago and St. Louis. The room includes an observation area, separated from the main room by a one-way glass, allowing observers to gauge reactions to new products, ideas, and marketing methods. To facilitate this effort the room is designed with a three camera system feeding to an advanced recording system. This allows for review of both the presentation methods and the reactions of the participants.
- $250,000
- Computer Classrooms (5 total): Computer classrooms are designed to provide a teaching environment that develops specific business software expertise. In these classrooms instructors can work with students to help them master the technology skills needed in their particular field, as well as learn how software assists in information gathering, analysis, and organization of material for presentation and effective decision making. There are five computer classrooms in the lab facility ranging in size from 28 to 40 student seats. The largest classroom at 40 seats was established to match general classroom size in the rest of the building. This classroom is blocked to support classes normally held in regular classrooms that need to use the lab for a week or more to develop specific software expertise for out of class assignments.
- Executive Boardroom: The Executive Boardroom was designed to support the shared governance goals of the University and college providing a unique, professionally furnished space for large group meetings. The room seats 28 and is used to host advisory councils, committees, and other industry gatherings.
- $150,000
- Dean’s Office
- Departmental Offices (3 – Accounting; Management & Quantitative Methods; Marketing)
- MBA Program Office
- Entrepreneurship Suite
- Advisement Center
- Regular Classrooms (17 – technology smart rooms)
- Katie Center Conference Room
- Katie Center Lounge
- Interview Center
- $50,000
- Department (4) or MBA Conference Room
- Advising/Career Center Conference Room
- Katie Center Faculty or Director’s Office
- $25,000
- Interview Rooms (5 total)
- Team Rooms (9 total – 8 available)
- $20,000
- Faculty Offices (120 total)
