Now that the renovation is done the addition can start in earnest. More importantly classes can begin at Thomas M. Cooley Law School's Oakland Campus in Auburn Hills.
The renovated 65,000 square feet of space will complement the 62,000-square-foot addition the college expects to finish by the end of the year. Both the renovation and addition to the 67-acre campus on Feather Stone Road by the Chrysler World Headquarters complex include a litany of environmentally friendly aspects.
Among the green credentials is a 20,000-square-foot green roof, using recycled materials such as carpet in the building and installing energy-efficient lighting, heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems. The project is seeking certification by the U.S. Green Building Council’s Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (or LEED) green building rating system.
"We are excited to kick off January 2008 classes with the opening of our Auburn Hills campus," says Law School President Don LeDuc. "This dedicated campus represents a top-notch learning environment specifically tailored to the needs of law students."
The new building, which had sat vacant for five years, opens as the law school celebrates its 35th anniversary. The campus will replace most of the school’s presence at Oakland University. Cooley will continue to operate its two joint-degree programs at Oakland. The new Auburn Hills campus is located near OU, separated only by the Chrysler World Headquarters complex.
About 600 students attend Cooley Law School's Oakland County campus. Enrollment there is projected to increase to approximately 650 students next year before reaching 750 by January 2009. More than 3,600 students attend the law school, founded in 1972, at its three locations in Lansing, Grand Rapids and Oakland County.
Source: Nick Wasmiller, spokesman for Thomas M. Cooley Law School
Writer: Jon Zemke
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