Undergraduate Teaching Laboratory Facility

The new Chemistry Undergraduate Teaching Laboratories at Fraser Hall are now open!

On September 8th, 2025, we welcomed the first class of chemistry undergraduate students to their lab courses in the newly renovated Fraser Hall. The new building will serve more than 5,000 students on the University of Minnesota Twin Cities Campus every year. The cutting-edge facility provides modern teaching laboratories designed to prepare students to be future leaders who will drive innovation, strengthen healthcare and address global challenges in sustainability. It houses 18 active learning labs; tutoring and informal student collaboration spaces; and general purpose classrooms.

The project was made possible because of state investment – $3.3 million for design in 2020 and $92.6 million for renovation in 2023. Through private philanthropy and other investments, the University contributed the remaining funds for the $144.7 million project.

The building’s 117,000-square-feet support a key part of the University’s core undergraduate curriculum. Students who are now using the labs, academic support and collaborative learning spaces represent more than 120 academic majors — roughly one-third of all Twin Cities students will take chemistry and other courses in this building. The project represents the institution’s commitment to securing its future as a world-class university by strategically investing in its talented workforce, operations and facilities, an imperative in the University’s new strategic roadmap.

The grand opening of the building was celebrated on October 29th, 2025, with an official ribbon-cutting ceremony. We were proud to welcome project supporters, University leaders, alumni, and Chemistry community members to the dedication and grand opening celebration.

Collage of photographs from the grand opening of Fraser Hall. Pictures of artwork, people cutting a ribbon, and a rainbow chemistry glassware backdrop.

Background

Update: 2024-25

Update: September 2023

In collaboration with the College of Science and Engineering, we welcomed state officials and University dignitaries to the official Kickoff event for the construction project! We're thankful for our partners at the college, University, and Minnesota State Government who have supported us in making this critical project a reality. Honored guests included Governor Tim Walz, Lieutenant Governor Peggy Flanagan, and University of Minnesota Interim President Jeffrey Ettinger.

Two photographs from the Fraser hall renovation kickoff event

Above Left: Chemistry students and Interim President Jeffrey Ettinger kickoff construction outside Fraser Hall; Above Right: Gov. Tim Walz delivers remarks at the event.

Update: June 2023

The Minnesota legislature passed an infrastructure bill on May 22nd that includes two-thirds of a $144 million renovation of Fraser Hall. The remainder will be covered by private donations and University funds. See below new architectural models of what the interior of the renovated building will look like – we're looking forward to teaching in the new space in Fall 2025!

Architectural mockups for Fraser Hall - study space and lab

Above Left: Design for study space; Above Right: Design for new teaching laboratories

Update: January 2023

University of Minnesota undergraduate student Mustafa Syed testified in front of the Minnesota House and Senate Capital Investment committees in St. Paul in late January. Syed is an undergraduate senior, testifying in support of the Department of Chemistry’s proposed Undergraduate Chemistry Teaching Laboratory Building. Read more about Mustafa's testimony or watch the recording on YouTube.

Update: October 2020

The Chemistry Teaching Laboratory Building is nearing the end of the schematic design phase, where fundamental decisions are made regarding the labs and support space. The Bonding Bill, approved by the State Legislature in October 2020, included $3.286 million for the project. It funds the last two planning phases, design development and construction drawings, to be completed by late spring 2021. This will enable the project to be shovel ready as soon as full construction funding is secured in a future state bonding bill.