President's, Provost's Reports from April 16 JSU Trustees Meeting
04/18/2012
The Jacksonville State University Board of Trustees met on Monday, April 16 on the eleventh floor of Houston Cole Library.
Below is the text of JSU President Dr. William A. Meehan's report to the Trustees, which he presented at the meeting. To read the report submitted to the Trustees by Provost and Vice President for Academic and Student Affairs Dr. Rebecca Turner, please click here.
President’s Report
Board of Trustees
April 16, 2012
Capital Projects
Ayers Hall Transportation Building Expansion
Bids were opened on January 26 and the low bidder was Goodgame Company Inc. of Pell City, Alabama. Contracts have been signed and material is being ordered. Work is scheduled to start April 30 when classes are over. A pre-construction meeting was held on March 1 with the State Building Inspector, Mr. Will McCall, and contractor.
Campus Inn Apartments – Phase I Renovations
The Final Inspection occurred February 17 with contractor completing the project. The apartments are ready to be occupied.
Computer Center UPS/Generator
The Transfer Switch has been installed in the Computer Center Mechanical Room along with the necessary breaker panels. The Uninterruptable Power Supply (UPS), Battery Cabinet and Power Distribution Unit (PDU) have been delivered. Excavation and demolition of the location of the new generator has been completed. Conduits have been installed from the computer center mechanical room to the location of the new generator.
Crow Hall Chiller Replacement
Jake Marshall Service Inc. of Birmingham was the low bidder on this project. The chiller has been ordered and scheduled to arrive April 20. Work will commence on April 30 when the residence hall is closed.
Harwell Street Sidewalk Project
A new sidewalk will be installed from Highway 204 to Trustee Circle behind the International House and on the east side of Ayers Hall. This sidewalk will enhance pedestrian traffic and safety. Bids were opened March 22 and low bidder was Logan Construction of Jacksonville.
Merrill Hall Roof Replacement
This project was bid on February 23 and low bidder was Rycars Construction Inc. of Atlanta, GA. Work will commence on April 30 when classes are over.
Pannell Hall Roof Replacement
This project was bid on February 21 and low bidder was GKL Companies Inc. of Rainbow City, AL. A pre-roofing conference was held on March 21 with the State Building Inspector, Mr. Will McCall, and contractor. Work will commence on April 30 after this residence facility is vacated.
Pete Mathews Coliseum Boiler Replacement
The project was bid on February 28 and low bidder was Jake Marshall Service Inc. of Birmingham. The project is scheduled to start in May. The new boilers will be energy efficient units and reduce the University’s carbon footprint and utility usage.
Stephenson Hall Gamecock Diner – Roof Top HVAC Units
The recently renovated Gamecock Diner needs two (2) additional separate air conditioning systems for the kitchen to enhance operation. Project was bid on March 27 and low bidder was Coosa Heating and Cooling of Gadsden. Work will commence in May.
Stephenson Hall Wellness Center
Substantial completion on this project occurred on February 13 by the contractor, RFI. A final change order is being assembled and processed. This facility is an attractive addition, well used by our students and is enhancing student life on campus.
Stone Center Boiler Replacement
This project was bid on February 28 and the low bidder was Jake Marshall Service Inc. of Birmingham. This project is scheduled to start in May. The new boilers will replace the 1978 boiler with an energy efficient unit and reduce the University’s carbon footprint and utility usage.
Wallace Hall Boiler Replacement
This project was bid on February 28 and the low bidder was Hale Building Company of Anniston. The project is scheduled to start in May. The new boilers will replace the 1972 unit with energy efficient boilers and reduce the University’s carbon footprint and utility usage.
University Activities
Fall Application Count 2012
Under “Tab 4” in your binder is the Office of Admissions Application Count. This report provides a great deal of information, including: the “Conversion Rate” (percentage of accepted applications, first time freshman and first time transfer students that become enrolled students) over the last five years is 53%, accepted fall semester applications for first time freshman and transfer students are a total of 2,667 as of April 11th. This is 67% of last year’s final number and 69% of the last five year average with four and a half months of recruiting time remaining.
The numbers look good at this time for an increase in enrollment of new students. Three hundred and sixty six (366) students have accepted our tuition scholarship offers. If last year’s conversion rates stay level we will have an increase. Whether we will reach our goal of 10,000 students this year will not be known until the last day to register this September. We are relying on new students and returning students so you cannot count your Gamecocks until the old ones come back to roost and the new ones hatch!
Government Affairs
Governor Bentley will be our commencement speaker Friday May 4th and receive the honorary doctorate awarded by you our Trustees. Please remember to post your calendar for attending the reception in his honor at 5:00 pm on the Club Level of Stadium Towers.
The Education Trust Fund Budget has not yet been passed in the House or Senate. If no changes occur from the Governor’s recommendation our budget will be reduced by four percent. Our current appropriation (with line items) is $36,689,867 which is approximately $13 million less than 2008. The University has absorbed reductions and/or proration of over 20% in its appropriation since 2008.
I appreciate the Board’s support in attempting to hold our tuition level. It is our hope that the legislature will be able to level fund our University so we can pass no tuition increase to our students.
I do want to make you aware of one bill that is before the Alabama Senate. That is SB 499 which would create a board of trustees for Athens State University. This two year upper division institution currently offers junior and senior courses toward a baccalaureate degree only and comes under the authority of the Alabama State Board of Education. This Bill will provide an independent board of trustees for the institution and would allow the offering of graduate courses.
Athens State University is a venerable institute with roots in private education before it joined the Department of Postsecondary Education. JSU has the pleasure of providing graduate education for many of its graduates of Athens in education and business. We certainly respect the desire of this university to chart the course for its future just as we at JSU do. However in these financially challenging times we question the further division of the Education Trust Fund to support the duplication of programs which currently exist at other public colleges and universities in Alabama. I ask that you consider these points as you discuss current legislation with the members of the Alabama House and Senate in your districts.
Academic Affairs and Student Affairs
Dr. Rebecca Turner, Provost and Vice President for Academic and Student Affairs has prepared her report in your binder under “Tab 4” which you may read at your leisure. Dr. Turner will mention some of the significant academic affairs announcements and she also has some special guests to report on new technology in the classroom and how JSU is becoming, “A Learning Centered Campus” in the 21st Century, all of which work toward the implementation of the “Strategic Plan,” which this Board of Trustees has approved.
Athletics
Mr. Warren Koegel, Director of Athletics will update you on Spring JSU sports and make two introductions for new faces in our Athletic Department.
Information Technology
Mr. Vinson Houston, Vice president for Information Technology will give you a follow-up report on activities toward Wi –Fi connectivity and broadband access on campus which he presented in January.
University Advancement
Dr. Charles Lewis, Vice President for University Advancement will update you on activities with the JSU Foundation Inc. and in advancement.
Office of Institutional Research and Assessment
Dr. Alicia Simmons, Director of Institutional Research and Assessment - TBA
William A. Meehan