A New Combined Collection Facility for the University of Connecticut Systematic Research Collections

自然历史和系统分类学在康涅狄格大学的生物学史上占有重要地位。因此，在过去的50年里，哺乳动物、鸟类、鱼类、昆虫、蚂蚁客、寄生虫、当代植物和化石植物的大量收藏得到了发展。尽管缺乏适当的设施来容纳它们，但这些藏品仍在继续增长。不出所料，也许是由于与他们有关的积极教师的机会主义性质，他们来填补任何可供他们使用的空间。因此，这些标本目前分布在康涅狄格大学校园的五个不同地点。一些藏品位于公共空间，因此安全也是一个问题。即使是位于更容易接近的空间的藏品也如此拥挤，以至于无法再适当地纳入归还的贷款。显然，这种情况并不理想：许多标本难以获取，管理效率低下且尴尬，对大多数标本进行全面研究非常困难。然而，在对这些系统收藏的前所未有的支持下，大学正在建设一个7831平方英尺的最先进的设施来容纳这些藏品。尽管如此，还有更多的工作要做。该项目将实施搬迁到新设施，并为新设施配备必要的计算机，显微镜等和用品，使其成为真正的最先进的设施。作为这个项目的一部分，额外的临时策展人员将被雇用来协助搬迁，利用这次搬迁将收藏整合到一个单一的功能单元，以及开展不可能的策展活动。此外，该项目将支持在标本转移到新设施之前实施一项积极的害虫管理计划。将为这些藏品建立万维网。自然历史和系统分类学在康涅狄格大学的生物学史上占有重要地位。因此，在过去的50年里，哺乳动物、鸟类、鱼类、昆虫、蚂蚁客、寄生虫、当代植物和化石植物的大量收藏得到了发展。尽管缺乏适当的设施来容纳它们，但这些藏品仍在继续增长。不出所料，也许是由于与他们有关的积极教师的机会主义性质，他们来填补任何可供他们使用的空间。因此，这些标本目前分布在康涅狄格大学校园的五个不同地点。一些藏品位于公共空间，因此安全也是一个问题。即使是位于更容易接近的空间的藏品也如此拥挤，以至于无法再适当地纳入归还的贷款。显然，这种情况并不理想：许多标本难以获取，管理效率低下且尴尬，对大多数标本进行全面研究非常困难。然而，在对这些系统藏品的前所未有的支持下，大学正在建设一个7381平方英尺的最先进的设施来容纳这些藏品。尽管如此，还有更多的工作要做。该项目将实施搬迁到新设施，并为新设施配备必要的计算机，显微镜等和用品，使其成为真正的最先进的设施。作为这个项目的一部分，额外的临时策展人员将被雇用来协助搬迁，利用这次搬迁将收藏整合到一个单一的功能单元，以及开展不可能的策展活动。此外，该项目将支持在标本转移到新设施之前实施一项积极的害虫管理计划。将为这些藏品建立万维网。

Natural History and Systematics have figured prominently in the history of biology at the University of Connecticut. As a consequence, the last 50 years have seen the development of significant collections of mammals, birds, fishes, insects, ant guests, parasites, contemporary plants, and fossil plants. These collections have continued to grow, despite the lack of an appropriate facility in which to house them. Not unexpectedly, and perhaps as a credit to the opportunistic nature of the active faculty associated with them, they have come to fill whatever space was available for them. Thus, these specimens are presently distributed across the University of Connecticut campus in five different locations. Several of the collections are located in public space and thus security is also an issue. Even the collections located in more accessible space are so cramped that it is no longer possible to properly incorporate returned loans. Clearly this situation is less than ideal: many of these specimens are difficult to access, curation is inefficient and awkward, comprehensive study of specimens in most is very difficult. However, in an unprecedented display of support for these systematics collections, the University is in the process of constructing, a 7,831 ft2 state-of-the-art facility to house the collections. In spite of all this, there is more to be done. This project will implement the move to the new facility as well as equip the new facility with the necessary computers, microscopes, etc. and supplies to allow it to function as a truly state-of-the-art facility. As part of this project additional temporary curatorial staff will be hired to assist with the move, take advantage of this move to integrate the collections into a single functional unit, as well as to carry out curatorial activities not routinely possible. In addition, the project will support the implementation of an aggressive pest management program prior to specimen transfer to the new facility. World Wide Web presence for the collections will be established.Natural History and Systematics have figured prominently in the history of biology at the University of Connecticut. As a consequence, the last 50 years have seen the development of significant collections of mammals, birds, fishes, insects, ant guests, parasites, contemporary plants, and fossil plants. These collections have continued to grow, despite the lack of an appropriate facility in which to house them. Not unexpectedly, and perhaps as a credit to the opportunistic nature of the active faculty associated with them, they have come to fill whatever space was available for them. Thus, these specimens are presently distributed across the University of Connecticut campus in five different locations. Several of the collections are located in public space and thus security is also an issue. Even the collections located in more accessible space are so cramped that it is no longer possible to properly incorporate returned loans. Clearly this situation is less than ideal: many of these specimens are difficult to access, curation is inefficient and awkward, comprehensive study of specimens in most is very difficult. However, in an unprecedented display of support for these systematics collections, the University is in the process of constructing, a 7,381 ft2 state-of-the-art facility to house the collections. In spite of all this, there is more to be done. This project will implement the move to the new facility as well as equip the new facility with the necessary computers, microscopes, etc. and supplies to allow it to function as a truly state-of-the-art facility. As part of this project additional temporary curatorial staff will be hired to assist with the move, take advantage of this move to integrate the collections into a single functional unit, as well as to carry out curatorial activities not routinely possible. In addition, the project will support the implementation of an aggressive pest management program prior to specimen transfer to the new facility. World Wide Web presence for the collections will be established.