The University of Central Arkansas at Conway will break ground this afternoon on a new $18 million business college building. The 80,000-SF facility will be three stories tall and is due to be completed by the 2009-10 academic year, if not sooner.

Fourteen classrooms are part of the new building's design as well as a 160-seat auditorium. The building will also feature two conference rooms, two student computer labs, 55 faculty offices, and a graduate student library/study lounge with lockers.

The first floor will contain a 36-seat commons area with coffee shop. Students will be able to connect to a wireless network that will be made available. The classrooms will be tiered for better sightlines and will be called "smart rooms" after being stocked with the latest audio/video technology.

Construction will begin south of Wingo Hall and north of the Arkansas Education Television Network studios on campus.

UCA President Lu Hardin, the UCA Board of Trustees, and Rep. Vic Snyder, D-Ark., are scheduled to attend today's ceremony. In the event of rain, the ceremony will be held in the UCA Board of Trustees Conference Room in Wingo Hall.