Members of the Arkansas Tech Board of Trustees focused on facility construction and renovation for the rapidly growing university during their meeting at the Ross Pendergraft Library and Technology Center on Thursday.
Trustees granted a request from David Moseley, senior vice president for administration and finance, that Arkansas Tech begin the design process for a new academic building.
Estimated cost for constructing the facility is $14.9 million. Moseley told the board that more details concerning the building would be known following the development of schematic designs by AMR Architects of Little Rock, which was selected by trustees in May as the architectural firm for the project.
Also on Thursday, the Tech Board of Trustees took the first step toward a possible renovation and or expansion of the Doc Bryan Student Services Building.
Trustees gave the university permission to begin the architectural search process so that an architect can be identified to aid in the development of plans.
Constructed in 1998, the Doc Bryan Student Services Building includes offices for student services, residence life, financial aid, student accounts, admissions, the registrar and Norman Career Services.
Arkansas Tech is engaged in a number of ongoing construction projects as it works to keep pace with the growth of its enrollment.
Tech announced on Aug. 31 that it will go over 10,000 students for the first time in school history this fall. Enrollment figures will become official at the end of Thursday, which is the 11th class day of the fall semester.
Ongoing construction projects include a new 290-bed residence hall, which is due for completion in fall 2013; a renovation of the Old Art Building to accommodate office space needs; and the development and installation of $680,000 in campus security upgrades.
In other business on Thursday, the Arkansas Tech Board of Trustees approved:
*a transfer of $221,510 from the auxiliary fund balance to cover the costs associated with installing a new black steel fence to surround Thone Stadium at Buerkle Field and replace the existing chain link fence;
*a revised key policy for employees that includes a $20 fee for each Arkansas Tech University key lost by an employee, a $50 fee for each Arkansas Tech sub master or master key lost by an employee and a $200 fee for each building entrance key lost by an employee;
*and a 4.7 percent increase in health insurance rates, with zero increase in dental coverage rates, for Arkansas Tech employees through Arkansas Blue Cross Blue Shield during the 2012 calendar year.
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