The Arkansas Tech Board of Trustees approved the first step in a process that could lead to more student housing on the university’s Russellville campus during its meeting at the Ross Pendergraft Library and Technology Center on Thursday.
Trustees granted approval for Arkansas Tech to select an architect to develop plans and determine the feasibility of constructing a new student housing facility capable of accommodating approximately 300 students.
The board also gave permission for the architect to create plans for renovating Tucker Hall such that it could be returned to service as a residence hall. “The need was demonstrated in the fall of 2010 when we placed 148 students in local motels and referred many other students to local vendors that provide apartment and housing rentals,” wrote David Moseley, senior vice president for administration and finance at Arkansas Tech, in a memo that proposed beginning the architect selection process. Once an architect is selected and a feasibility study is conducted, if the results of that study are positive the architect will move forward with the full design of construction drawings. Also on Thursday, the Board of Trustees approved issuance of a construction contract to B.R. McGinty Mechanical Contractors, Inc., for the installation of a new 550-ton chiller that will replace a 47-year old unit that serves McEver Hall, the Ross Pendergraft Library and Technology Center, Witherspoon Hall and Corley Hall. Cost for the project will be $822,955, with funding provided by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009. The Board of Trustees also addressed three agenda items related to Arkansas Tech-Ozark Campus on Thursday. First, the board awarded an $880,000 construction contract to Gerald Prince Construction for the renovation of the Alvin F. Vest Student Union in Ozark. Trustees approved the issuance of student fee revenue bonds and auxiliary enterprise revenue bonds to fund those renovations. And finally, the board approved library policies and procedures for Arkansas Tech-Ozark Campus, including a fine structure for overdue books.
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