For Immediate Release

Shirley Luna – Feb. 4, 2004

Regents Approve Improvements for SFA

Regents Give the Go-Ahead for Scholarships, Classrooms, Equipment

Regents for Stephen F. Austin State University approved a learning center, a marketing proposal and funding for equestrian equipment during their regularly scheduled meeting Wednesday in Nacogdoches.

Regents voted to establish an Educational Investment Center in SFA’s Nelson Rusche College of Business. Current techniques for teaching advanced finance courses depend in large part on the availability of access to complex financial-information networks, and according to Dr. Jerry Holbert, vice president for university advancement, the use of a multimedia approach to organize this essential data is an emerging strategy in the instructional process.

“The SFASU Foundation has sufficient private funding to equip an existing classroom to accommodate this proposed instructional method,” Holbert said. “The classroom would also be available to the SFASU Foundation’s Student Roundtable, a student investment-management group, during non-instructional hours.”

            A high-tech, multimedia classroom will be established in an existing classroom in the McGee Building, which houses the college. Cost of the project is approximately $80,000. All funds to support the cost of the project are on deposit with the SFASU Foundation, and SFA Physical Plant employees will complete all work for the project.

Regents also authorized the administration to spend Higher Educational Assistance Funds to equip the equestrian center currently under construction at the Walter Todd Beef Farm.

The equestrian center, with an estimated completion date of late spring, will require various pens and equipment. Regents authorized the administration to spend any unused construction funds, as well as funds designated for the beef, swine and poultry programs ($25,000 each) for the equipment.

            Regents approved the granting of easements on the farm to the Deep East Texas Electrical Cooperative for electrical services. The easement required is 10 feet wide by approximately 400 feet long, running from CR 123 South to the location of a pad-mounted transformer east of the new facility.

            Regents agreed on a name change for a master’s degree program offered by the Arthur Temple College of Forestry. The Master of Science in Forestry degree will be changed to a Master of Science degree with majors in forestry and spatial science.

            “The change reflects not only the transformations that have taken place in the discipline over the last 20 years but also the greater breadth of research areas undertaken within the College of Forestry,” said Dr. Mary Cullinan, SFA provost.

            Regents approved the addition of a fifth grade classroom to the Charter School at SFA beginning with the 2004 school year.

The Charter School at SFA was established in March 1998 by SFA regents and approved by the Nacogdoches Independent School District school board. The Charter School is in excellent financial condition and has received the Texas Education Agency’s highest rating of Exemplary. The school continues to provide observation, participation and research experiences for university students, especially early childhood education majors, and tour groups.

Regents approved a plan designed by SFA academic department chairs to recruit high-achieving students. Two dormitory scholarships will be allocated to each academic department to offer to students for fall 2004.

Regents authorized SFA president Dr. Tito Guerrero III to sign any contracts or agreements regarding licensing rights for research by Dr. Shiyou Li, research specialist in the College of Forestry.

The university’s Intellectual Property Policy requires regent approval of agreements that grant third-party rights to make, use or sell a patented invention or trade secret owned or assigned to the university.

Li’s research led to the development of “Katie,” a variety of the Camptotheca lowreyana tree, which produces Camptothecin, an alkaloid compound used for developing cancer-fighting drugs. Li’s tree was patented in 2001.

Regents voted to enter into a contract with a higher education integrated marketing firm at a cost not to exceed $125,000 to conduct research of prospective students, the higher education marketplace and competitors of the university.

The firm will be charged with developing a brand portfolio for the university, as well as a logo design and graphic manual. The firm will assist with creating a “family look” and design templates for publications and provide art direction and design for a recruiting "travel" piece. If approved for fiscal year 2005, the firm will conduct a review of the university Web site and make recommendations.

Funds also were allocated for production, printing and mailing of recruiting pieces and for telecounseling to recruit students. An increase in Public Affairs staffing funds will allow a position of editorial coordinator, now approximately 80 percent time, to become full time.

Regents authorized the administration to employ Jerry G. Ince, P.E. to design a surface flow wetland system to serve the Piney Woods Conservation Center at a cost not to exceed $12,500.

The Piney Woods Conservation Center was built in 1986 and has its own sewer treatment plant. The sewer plant is in need of an extensive renovation, and the College of Forestry recommended that the existing plant be converted to a surface flow wetland.

Regents approved a recommendation by an ad hoc committee on university center expansion and renovation to solicit proposals for privatization of the University Center Bookstore. They postponed for further review a decision regarding construction of a parking facility for the University Center.

Regents approved the following brokers/investment managers for the university: Merrill Lynch Inc.; Neuberger Berman, Fayez Sarofim & Co.; John A. Levin & Co.; Lazard Asset Management; Franklin Private Client Group, Inc.; MLIM L.P. Relative Value; Furman Selz Capital; and NFJ Investment/PIMCO Allianz. The following financial institutions were also listed for review and approval: Citizen’s First Bank, Commercial Bank of Texas, First Bank and Trust East Texas, Bancorp South Fredonia, Region’s Bank Stone Fort and Texas Bank.

Regents adopted Standards of Conduct for Financial Advisors and Managers Pursuant to Senate Bill 1079 of the 78^th Legislature and approved an interagency contract for annual software maintenance with Systems and Computer Technology Corporation to provide administrative software systems.

The financial rating for SFA’s property, casualty and liability insurance, Royal & Sunalliance, was downgraded to B+ in November. Travelers Insurance, with an A++ XV rating with AM Best, recently purchased the Royal & Sunalliance renewal book. Through the university's agent, Travelers will provide coverage and cancel the Royal plan effective March 1. Regents approved the transfer to Travelers at a cost of approximately $113,000, which includes new separate policies required by the agent for law enforcement liability and physical/sexual abuse.

Regents approved a private support organization agreement with the SFA Quarterjack Club, but postponed approval of an agreement with the SFA Tip-In Club. They also postponed approval of a resolution to acknowledge review of investment policy and strategy.

The appointment of University Police Department officer Chris Rivers as assistant chief of police was among personnel items approved by regents. Rivers replaces Robert Putzke, who accepted a position as director of police services at Montana State University in Boseman.

Belinda K. Davis, formerly an admissions fund manager, has been named financial aid officer.

Appointments approved by regents also included Jason Saladiner, intramural supervisor; Michael Santiago, head football coach; and assistant coaches Robert Kim Dameron, Todd Ivicic, William S. Reed, Greg Z. Stevens, Robert Walker and Kenny Washington.

In the SFA Early Childhood Lab, Karen Briley, formerly a Toddler II teacher, was appointed master teacher for Pre-K I. Melissa McCormack, teacher aide, was named lead teacher. Rebecca Kilmer, a substitute teacher, was hired, and Catherine Barra retired.

Dr. Hans M. Williams has been named Kenneth Nelson Distinguished Professor of Forestry.

Della E. Connor has been appointed full-time clinical instructor of nursing.

Heather Slough, assistant director of Research and Sponsored Programs, has been named interim director of the department.

Dennis Chessman, associate director of the Soil Lab and agriculture instructor, has been promoted to assistant professor.

Tamara Hart has been promoted from manager to assistant controller.

Dr. Ron Robinson will return from voluntary modification of employment to serve as associate professor of criminal justice, and Dr. Reynolds Griffith’s voluntary modification of employment in the economics and finance department was accepted.

Dr. Michael T. Tkacik, political science and geography faculty member and recipient of a Fulbright Scholarship to teach in the Slovak Republic, was granted a leave of absence.

            Regents approved the faculty workload report for fall 2003 and the last class day report for summer I, summer II and fall 2003.

Regents heard reports from the Faculty Senate, the Student Government Association, the vice president for alumni affairs and the president. They also heard a report led by the Multicultural Center on the use of athletic rivalry traditions.

            The next meeting of the Regents is scheduled for Tuesday, April 20.

-30-