Executive committee approves planning for construction projects

Top priorities are recreation center, library renovations and wireless network Projects are scheduled to be completed by December 2006

The Board of Trustees’ executive committee has voted to move forward with the planning and design phases for construction of a new $12 million recreation and wellness center and a $3.4 million renovation of the lower levels of Boatwright Memorial Library. They also voted in favor of extending the wireless computer network throughout the campus.

President Bill Cooper had announced Nov. 30 at a “Hanging with Dr. Cooper” event that he would recommend the construction projects to the Board of Trustees. Students had identified the recreation center as their top priority on a recent studentdesigned survey.

In addition to these projects, the University is moving ahead on an $8.9 million renovation and expansion of Heilman Dining Center that will add more space for dining, a new combination display cooking and serving area, and space for a new campus post office.

The two new construction projects will be reviewed by the board’s business management committee in January. Proposals are then expected to go before the full board for final approval in March.

The proposed recreation and wellness center includes a major new facility to be built alongside the Robins Center, adding 26,400 sq. ft. of new space and renovating 32,500 sq. ft. of existing space within the Robins Center. New space will include a three-bay auxiliary gym with an elevated running track. University officials are currently seeking a major donor to help fund this project.

Cooper also said at the “Hanging with Dr. Cooper” event that he was pleased to see a Program Improvement request to upgrade a half-time counselor position in the Counseling and Psychological Services Office to full time. The need for additional counseling staff had been raised at a previous “Hanging with Dr. Cooper” session.

The president gave students a summary of the University’s capital needs that total $164.1 million, including $40 million for revisions to residence halls and $11 million for a business school addition. Of the total, $81 million is expected to be available to the University from 2005–15, with $83 million left in unmet needs.

Ongoing annual needs during the same period total $20.4 million, including $5.4 million for merit scholarships, $4 million for new faculty lines and $2 million for faculty development, he said. Available annual resources total $11 million.

When fully phased in, the new tuition increase will generate annual proceeds, net of financial aid, of $11.8 million, he said.

In the November survey, students said the University should use the new revenue from the tuition increase to improve quality of life issues on campus, such as a recreation center, improved campus housing and more funding for student organizations.

In response to other student questions, President Cooper said:

• The University definitely has plans to increase the number of faculty.
• It may be difficult to bring back lost residence hall lounges in the short term, since that space is now needed for student rooms.
• CIGNA and other minority scholarships are “safe and sound and growing.”
• The coordinate system “will continue to flourish.”
• The University will examine separating Family Weekend and Homecoming.
• He is prepared to discuss with the board of trustees the possibility of putting a student on the board as a voting member.
• The vice president for student development is working with the Greeks and their national organizations regarding the liability issues surrounding having kegs in the fraternity houses.
• The University is making progress in providing more financial aid to international students.

A spring session of “Hanging with Dr. Cooper” has been scheduled for Feb. 2.

RICHMOND MATTERS