EAST LANSING (AP) — The Michigan State University Board of Trustees meets Friday to consider whether to go ahead with construction of a new phase of a $600 million federally backed physics research center.

The board is scheduled to vote on plans for building a 25 megawatt electrical duct bank for the Facility for Rare Isotope Beams project.

The East Lansing school won a national competition to host the Facility for Rare Isotope Beams in 2008. Backers have estimated that the project will create 5,000 construction jobs and 400 permanent jobs. The installation will be a high-speed linear atom smasher that will both provide clues to the origin of the universe and elementary physics, and produce rare isotopes — hence the name — of elements that may be useful in advanced medical research and treatments.

The trustees also are to vote on construction of the North Neighborhood Engagement Center and Multicultural Center in the MSU Union. And they’re scheduled to decide whether to proceed with energy-conservation measures for Anthony Hall.