October 20, 2005 – Shirley Luna

Regents approve geospatial service center location, baseball complex planning

While members of the Stephen F. Austin State University Board of Regents were happy to join in the celebration of the Houston Astros' 5-1 win over the St. Louis Cardinals, they also were celebrating a 5-1 milestone of their own. Of six building projects under way at the university, one is officially complete, and five others are in varying stages of progress.

Regents heard a report on the status of the projects from John Rulfs, physical plant director.

"The student center seems like it’s been going on a long time, and it has been," Rulfs said. "It is a sequential-step project, and we are maintaining the services still being provided in the building.  We are on budget and on schedule for completion in February 2007."

Phase I of the university housing project, an apartment-style housing complex and parking garage near the corner of Raguet and College streets, is nearing completion.

"We will be parking cars in the garage in December," Rulfs said. "They may still be adding some finishing touches to the outside of the building, but it will be ready for use."

The Phase I residence hall is scheduled to open in January, and Jamie Fain, director of housing, reported to regents that more than 1,100 applications for the hall already have been received.

Phase II of the housing projects, a 610-bed residence hall and 750-space parking garage near Starr Avenue, is also on schedule, and Rulfs said SFA officials would meet with the architect and construction engineer regarding the student recreation center.

"Despite increased building costs, we still expect to complete the recreation center within budget," he said. "The tennis courts should be complete Jan. 6, in time for the spring semester, and construction of the recreation center should begin in January."

Regents approved a proposal to begin the process of hiring an architect and construction manager at risk for the baseball/softball facility to be constructed at the corner of University Drive and Starr Avenue, as well as a two-year lease agreement for office space at 106 S. Pecan St. to house the Columbia Geospatial Service Center. The university received a $4.1 million congressional appropriation to establish the center and provide training and geospatial information for the city, county and Texas National Guard. Regents also approved the use of funds to renovate and furnish the facility.

SFA students studying biotechnology, biology, forestry and environmental science will benefit from a National Science Foundation award of $151,565. The funds will be used to purchase a Typhoon Trio Plus Imager, which allows detection of DNA and protein experiments quickly with high sensitivity.

"Because of the instrument's versatility, graduate students and undergraduate students, as well as high school students, will be able to use the instrument, thus exposing them to modern biotechnological techniques," said Dr. Mary Cullinan, provost and vice president for academic affairs.

The creation of a new anatomy and physiology laboratory in the biology department funded by a $119,000 appropriation through the Rural Nursing Initiative was approved by regents. The lab will be ready for use by nursing students in spring 2006.

Improvements to the Chemistry Building recommended by the state fire marshal were approved, as well as the purchase of two new boilers and an upgrade to underground telephone/data cabling to support the renovated University Center, housing, the new Student Recreation Center and other anticipated construction on the south end of campus.

Regents approved an item allowing the university to postpone the due date for students to pay tuition and fees when financial aid funds have been awarded but not received.  Students will assign to SFA the portion of the award equal to the amount of their delayed tuition and fee payment.

Regents voted to renew an agreement with AMS Production Group of Dallas for services including media planning and placement of existing television spots in Houston, Dallas and East Texas media markets, reproduction of 20,000 copies of a student recruiting DVD, and production of television spots at a cost not to exceed $165,000.

The university spends more than $100,000 annually for banquet arrangements and for lodging for guest speakers, dignitaries and campus visitors at local establishments. Regents approved establishing agreements for fixed rates for accommodations for SFA guests and use of banquet facilities as needed.

Regents authorized the university to solicit bids for electric service independently or in conjunction with another entity, or to purchase electricity from the state. The university currently is purchasing electricity from Sempra in cooperation with Texas A&M University.  The contract expires Aug. 31, 2006.

Regents also approved:

·     Payment to Oracle for the company's database management system, associated application development tools and directory services,

·     The appointment of personnel in the Office of the General Counsel to serve as designated public information coordinator for open meeting and public information training,

·     Solicitation of bids for the purchase and installation of three dishwashing machines at East College Cafeteria and for two machines at the University Center cafeteria,

·     The appointment of Davis Advisors as the large capitalization value style fund manager for the university’s portfolio,

·     A report of underenrolled classes and an annual audit report, and

·     Sale of a house located at the Todd Research Farm.

Regents heard reports from SFA president Dr. Tito Guerrero III, the Faculty Senate, the Student Government Association, the College of Sciences and Mathematics, the vice president for university advancement and reports on audit services and enrollment management.