Trustees arrive at SMC
SARAH NESTOR
News Writer
The Board of Trustees arrive at Saint Mary's today and will begin work in its separate committees.
The Administration has been compiling data for the Board to update them on what has happened since the Board's last meeting in the fall.
A major issue for the Board is whether they will approve the ground breaking of the new student center to be built as part of the Master Plan.
"I really want to see the approval for groundbreaking of the student center project by the Board. I don't expect it will be a problem and the Board should approve it," said Karen Ristau, vice-president.
After the student center is built it will house everything that is currently in Haggar. Additionally, it will include a cyber cafe, campus ministry, several lounges, a copy shop, a small theater and a dining hall. The new dining hall will have to be built first and will jut into the LeMans parking lot next to the current dining hall. Noble Family Dining Hall will be demolished so that the new student center can be built, connecting the two buildings. There is also talk about connecting the new student center/dining hall to the tunnel system, but this is not for certain.
"Once ground breaking on the student center project is begun the plan calls for a period of 18 months to complete, but this project could be completed in less than 18 months," said Marilou Eldred, president.
While there are no definite plans for what will happen to Hagger College Center after the new student center is built, there is talk that it will become part of the Administration building.
"Many of the offices in LeMans are crowded and they barely have enough room for everyone. It is not absolutely sure but Hagger could possible house administration offices," Eldred said.
Along with voting on whether or not to begin work on the student center the Board will also be examining data the finance office has accumulated.
"The Board will decide on budget approval that would include decisions on student fees and faculty salaries for next year," Ristau said.
The Board of Trustees is composed of nine different committees that will be meeting separately today and Friday and the full Board will meet to have a final vote on issues raised. The Board will also be voting on the student representative for next year. Applications have already been turned submitted and the Board will review these and make their selection. The student representative is a voting member and informs the committee about student life.
"All the administration prepare data to update and gather all the information so the Trustees can have the knowledge to make their decisions," said Akmaral Omarova, the current student trustee. "It is my job to inform the Trustees about the day to day concerns of students."
The Board of Trustees will be on campus today and Friday, holding conferences in Stapleton Lounge and meeting with the different vice-presidents and Eldred.
All News Stories for Thursday, February 21, 2002
