1. The Big House gets bigger

In its November 2006 meeting, the University Board of Regents approved schematic designs for a plan that would add 83 luxury suites and 3,200 club seats to Michigan Stadium. The plan drew criticism from some community members who said the Regents' votes were secretive and that the skyboxes themselves are unattractive and elitist. But according to research by Architecture Prof. Mojtaba Navvab, the renovations should take the noise level of the Big House from that of a loud office to that inside a New York subway. Construction will begin after one more vote approving the final plan in the following months.

2. Frieze falling

Demolition of the 99-year-old Frieze Building began in February 2006 to make room for North Quad, which will be the University's first new residence hall since Bursley Hall was built in 1968. North Quad will include a 10-story residential wing and a seven-story academic wing in the University's effort to create a living and learning environment for students. North Quad is expected to open in fall 2010.

3. Overhauling the Hill

The Hill area hasn't had a semester's rest from construction since work began on the addition to the School of Public Health in the fall of 2003. Since then, renovation began on Mosher-Jordan Residence Hall that includes creating a multi-level lobby area and ground was broken for the Hill Dining Center that will be attached to Mosher-Jordan Hall and will be the main dining source for residents of Hill area dormitories. The project is scheduled for completion in the fall of 2008.

4. A new home for Ford school

Construction ended in September 2006 on Joan and Sanford Weill Hall, which houses the Gerald R. Ford School of Public Policy. The building is situated on the corner of State and Hill streets and is heralded in the University's project overview as "a symbolic gateway to Central Campus."

5. Bridging campus

The Palmer Drive Development - which includes the Life Science Institute Building, the Undergraduate Science Building, Palmer Commons, a parking center and the pedestrian bridge that connects them all - was completed in December 2005. The development provides offices, classrooms, conference rooms and event spaces for faculty and students, as well as an alternative route to Central Campus for Hill area residents.

6. The latest laboratories

In September 2001 the University Board of Regents approved the plans to construct the Biomedical Science Research building on Zina Pitcher Place. The 472,000-square-foot building broke ground in the spring of 2002 and was completed in February 2006. The Medical School Building includes 240 laboratories, an animal research facility and a 300-seat auditorium situated in the front of the structure.