December 10, 2009

University Planning Council

Minutes for December 10, 2009

Present: Buffy Bagwell, Becky Doyle, Jane Fernandes, Vic Foster, Archer Gravely, Bill Haas, Bill Haggard, Jeff Konz, Amy Lanou, Keya Maitra, Kevin Moorhead, Linda Nelms, Adrienne Oliver, Dan Pierce, John Pierce, Anne Ponder, Christine Riley, Louise Thompson

Absent: Jim Kuhlman, Ted Meigs, Cortland Mercer, Patrice Mitchell

Guests: John Bucher

UPC met from 3:30 to 5:00 in HU 224.

1. Ms. Nelms reviewed UPC’s interaction with the Board of Trustees at the luncheon on December 7th. Chancellor Ponder invited everyone to the University Holiday Party that will be on December 16th in Highsmith Union.

2. UPC reviewed the attached list of capital building priorities, which has been revised to include UPC’s input from the November meeting as well as that of the Board of Trustees and Senior Staff. There is universal agreement on our top priority, which is the renovation of Carmichael Hall. Technically, this project may be described as a renovation but will actually result in building a new structure on the current site. Dr. Konz questioned the listing of the Justice Gym as the number four priority given all the current construction and funding for the new Health and Wellness Center. Chancellor Ponder noted that only the top three projects will have any chance of funding and the remaining projects were listed in likely order of falling down. In response to a question about the relocation of Admissions to the new Carmichael building, Chancellor Ponder noted that the new facility would have three times the square footage of the current building and could therefore accommodate more functions than the current building. She also indicated that the Board of Trustees is very interested in the development of a new Campus Master (facilities) Plan, and that UPC will be an important group to participate in this process. A question was asked about how we would replace the CH space while the new building was under construction. Chancellor Ponder stated that it might be possible to use space in Rhoades Hall and the Owen Conference Center, but that there will be many more discussions and consultations before that decision can be made.

3. Ms. Nelms reviewed the eleven items left on the administrative cost reduction ideas list generated by the campus. She noted that nearly all of the suggestions that UPC has not yet considered are currently in the hands of various groups and suggested turning this process over to the administration. UPC agreed to this recommendation, and Dr. Lanou requested that UPC receive a report back on the implementation of these ideas, especially if consultation on a decision is needed (or appropriate).

4. Dr. Haggard and Mr. Bucher gave a presentation on the expansion of on-campus student housing. Our strategic plan includes the goal of increasing the percentage of full-time undergraduates living on campus from the current 34.5% to 43%. We also know that new freshmen living on campus have a 10% higher first-year retention rate than commuter students. Dr. Haggard reported that if we had the space, we could have filled another 200 beds for the last two years. We began a Governor’s Village renovation feasibility study in November 2009 and conducted a marketing study using consultants to estimate the demand for a new 300 bed residence hall. The Governor’s Village feasibility study suggests a per-bed cost of $47,364 (including furniture) which compares to a national average of approximately $60,000 per bed for new construction. The marketing study indicated a demand for 332 additional beds in 2009, 400 in 2012, and 456 in 2015. The design phase of the Governor’s Village renovation will begin in March 2010, and construction is planned for January 2011 – July 2011 and will open in Fall 2011. In addition, a new 300-bed residence hall located on the old physical plant building site will begin the design phase in March 2010 with construction planned for March 2011 – July 2012 and opening in Fall 2012. Chancellor Ponder summarized the residence hall discussion by noting that this is a high strategic priority and thanked the Residence Hall Construction Team for their valuable work.

5. Ms. Nelms reported that in Spring 2010, UPC will be meeting with the leadership of the various strategic plan work groups to get an update on their work. She invited UPC members to contact her or Chancellor Ponder to get additional discussion topics on the Spring agenda.