The state’s freeze on capital development funding—which has stymied the construction of Faraday II—might have log-jammed academic projects set for the new site.

Patricia Perkins, assistant to the vice president of Finance and Planning, explained the state has “frozen capital development funds for anything that isn’t already under construction.”

NIU’s chemistry and physics departments both have a stake in Faraday II, a facility which signifies new vistas of research for both programs.

Physics department chairman Richard Preston is positive about the completion of Faraday II, saying “there is a good deal of optimism.”

Preston said the university is keeping him up to date on the latest developments regarding reconvening construction, but the message so far has remained the same.

“We’ve really needed something like this for the last 15 to 20 years,” Preston said.

The physics department would use Faraday II to house major pieces of equipment, some valued at over $100,000. In addition, the new facility will alleviate crowding and help NIU expand into “high-energy physics,” Preston said.

In an Executive Council meeting two weeks ago, NIU President John La Tourette said health services, animal care facilities and construction like Faraday II rank high on the list of priorities. They will most likely be the areas tackled when the funds thaw.

“Their attitude has reassured me,” Preston said.