Stephen F. Austin State University

Because of action taken Thursday in a meeting of the Stephen F. Austin State University Board of Regents, students may soon have fewer reasons to leave campus and Nacogdoches residents will have additional reasons to visit.

The administration was authorized to enter into contract negotiations with Aramark, the university’s food service provider, to increase the number of food service outlets on the campus from five to 16.

“Thanks to the expertise of SFA regent Kenneth James, we’ve started looking at food service in a new light,” said Dr. Baker Pattillo, vice president for university aff irs. “We’ve visited several campuses across the state, and out of state, to see what is available and what students today are expecting. I believe students in years to come will owe a debt of gratitude to Mr. James for the changes that will be made as a result of his leadership.”

A 15-year contract that includes $4.2 million in capital improvements in four campus locations to be completed by Aramark is being finalized.

“Our students are currently spending a lot of money on North Street,” said James, whose family-owned business operates 28 restaurants in Texas and Washington. “I have two sons attending SFA, so I know what they’re spending. With the addition of three convenience stores and more nationally branded restaurant concepts, in the future, students will have less reason to leave campus.”

Expansion will begin in May in the East College Cafeteria, with the addition of an expanded Pizza Hut and Wing Street location. An Einstein Bros. Bagels outlet is planned for the Steen Library food court. Chick fil-A, Starbucks, Brickoven Pizzeria, Panda Express, Freshens Yogurt, Tortilla Fresca, Bleecker Street Café and a convenience store are planned for the Student Center. There also will be a convenience store as part of the Lumberjack Village residence hall currently under construction.

Regents approved two degree proposals, including the addition of a Bachelor of Science degree in biochemistry.

“The field of biochemistry is a fast-growing component of the scientific job market as indicated by the number of openings posted in newspapers, trade journals and on the Web,” said Dr. Anthony Duben, dean of the College of Sciences and Mathematics. “At every recruiting activity spon ored by SFA, there are inquiries whether the university offers a degree in biochemistry.”

While the university hasn’t offered a degree in biochemistry, all the courses needed for a biochemistry degree are offered.

“It is only logical to combine these courses for a biochemistry major,” he said. “The potential for enrollment increases is great. SFA will be the only institution of higher education in the region to offer this Bachelor of Science degree. It will be an appropriate degree leading to graduate study, to professional school or to immediate employment in biomedical research, biotechnology, the food industry, consumer health and beauty products, and related areas.”

A degree in interior merchandising will combine parts of two degrees currently in place at SFA: interior design and fashion merchandising.

“The focus will allow students to merchandise interior furnishings and materials and provide a niche that will allow students to use their talents in a new and upcoming field,” said Dr. Lynda Martin, chair of the Department of Human Sciences.

A $750 educational assistance plan currently offered to SFA employees was expanded and increased by regents. The program will be extended to the spouses and dependent children of employees, and the benefit will increase to $2,000 annually.

International students will no longer be required to take the ACT or SAT test for admission to SFA.

“These tests are very expensive, inconvenient and frequently unavailable in most other countries,” said Dr. Tito Guerrero, SFA president. “They create an undue financial and travel burden on most applicants and are one of the most common reasons prospective international students fail to complete an application to SFA.”

The tests are not designed for non-native speakers of English and are not required for admission at many Texas public universities, Guerrero said.

“When prospective students learn that our peer institutions do not require the tests, they lose interest in coming to SFA,” he said. “We will continue to require that international students demonstrate high academic standing in their high school grades, and we will continue to require the Test of English as a Foreign Language or International English Language Teaching System exam to ensure that international applicants demonstrate sufficient English language proficiency.”

This spring semester, 370 more students are living on campus than last spring. Because the budget for housing and food service expenditures was based on last year’s figures, revenues exceeded projected amounts. Regents approved the transfer of funds to Aramark to cover increased food service costs. The housing department budget was increased by $500,000 to fulfill student requests for residence hall improvements and to upgrade existing residence halls to more closely match amenities offered in the newer halls.

Regents approved a 6 percent increase in housing fees and established fees for parking in the recently completed University Center parking garage. Beginning this fall, the first 30 minutes of parking will be free, but charges for 31 minutes to two hours will be $2. The price will increase $1 per hour for each additional hour. Costs for a parking permit for the building is $200 per semester or $500 annually.

Designated tuition rates were increased by regents from $76 per semester credit hour to $85 per credit hour. The student service fee was raised 50 cents to $11 per credit hour. As required by legislation, a committee of SFA students determines where funds from this fee are spent.

Some course fees, which provide instructional departments with funds to support the actual cost of consumable supplies, service and travel related to specific courses, were increased, and the undergraduate admissions application fee was increased from $25 to $35 to provide additional funding for recruiting activities.

SFA students voted recently to increase the student study abroad scholarship fee from $1 to $3 per student per semester beginning in fall 2006, and regents approved the increase. The number of students participating in SFA study abroad programs has tripled in recent years, and monies will be used to fund study abroad scholarships. Regents also approved a $50 application fee for the program to cover administrative costs.

Regents also approved:

• The purchase of furnishings for the Columbia Geospatial Service Center at 106 S. Pecan St. at a cost not to exceed $100,000. Source of funds is the Columbia Geospatial Service Center grant.

• The renewal of an investment management contract with Merill Lynch through Aug. 31. The university will submit proposals for investment management services and will sign a new two-year ontract with the successful bidder when the current contract expire.

• The allocation of $55,000 to support enrollment initiatives, including phone calls to admitted students, advertisements, brochures and mailing.

• A one-time capital cost of $5,000 to upgrade a leased data circuit, which will increase Internet capacity by 150 percent but lower monthly costs by $1,656.

• An increase in the contract for soil and concrete testing at construction sites on campus.

• Demolition of the New Raguet Apartments and resurfacing to provide additional parking.

• Continued work with the Army Corps of Engineers on a land mitigation plan in conjunction with the planned baseball-softball complex at University Drive and Starr Avenue.

• Relocation of the Office of Instructional Technology to the Steen Library. Space in the current location in the Boynton Building will be used for a photography lab, currently located in the Rusk Building, and for a temporary training and office area for the Banner software conversion.

• Cox Contractors was approved as construction manager at risk for several small projects under way on the campus, including renovation of the University Police Department, roofing projects and the library, Rusk and Boynton projects.

• A sewer easement was granted to the city of Nacogdoches for the repair of existing sanitary sewer lines on the East side of the campus.

• A fire alarm system, mandated by the state fire marshal, will be installed at William R. Johnson Coliseum. The alarm will tie into the university’s main alarm system that is monitored at the University Police Department.

• University policy and procedure revisions.

Regents heard reports from the university president, vice president for university advancement, audit services, Student Government Association, Faculty Senate and a report regarding a faculty salary study completed by a committee of regents.