Stephen F. Austin State University

Big changes are in store for the Stephen F. Austin State University Department of Accounting as a result of a generous gift accepted by the Board of Regents. Regents approved a $2 million gift that will create the Gerald W. Schlief Department of Accounting Endowment Fund. Proceeds from the fund will support distinguished faculty stipends, technology and other capital purchases, support of the program and the pursuit of accreditation for the department.

"Mr. Schlief's generosity to his alma mater is remarkable, and will have a long-term, positive impact on students majoring in accounting at SFA," said Dr. Tito Guerrero, SFA president. "His gift will help us continue to make our accounting program one of the best in state and will strengthen the public's awareness of its reputation."

Schlief is a 1970 accounting graduate of the university and senior vice president of ATP Oil and Gas Corp., a company that develops and produces oil and natural gas in the Gulf of Mexico and the North Sea. The company pioneered the use of offshore horizontal drilling in 1995 and, in 1999, was presented Oil and Gas World's Best Field Improvement Award for technological advancement. That same year, it was ranked 21st on the Inc. 500 list of privately held companies most rapidly changing the face of American business.

ATP became a public company in 2001 and has been nominated twice for the National Safety Award of Excellence by the U.S. Department of the Interior.

Regents approved changing the named of the department to the Gerald W. Schlief Department of Accounting. Schlief is a lifetime member of the SFA Alumni Association, and as an SFA student served as captain of the tennis team, as commandant of the ROTC Battalion and as president of the Kappa Alpha fraternity. He began his career with the oil and gas industry by serving as an auditor from 1974 to 1981 and later served as a consultant to onshore and offshore companies. He is a certified public accountant and resides in Houston with his wife, Candace.

According to Dr. Treba Marsh, chair of the department, an application for accreditation of the department has been filed, and the first accreditation visit is scheduled for February. Pending approval by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board, the department of accounting will become the Gerald W. Schlief School of Accountancy. Status as a school is sought for departments that lead students to a degree, certification or licensure in a specialized field, and according to Dr. Violet Rogers, dean of the Nelson Rusche College of Business, the distinction is especially significant for the accounting department.

"Our accounting students have always been a strong group and have competed well in the national market and in the CPA exam," Rogers said. "The gift allows us to enhance their education primarily by supporting the faculty that spend endless hours molding them
into successful CPAs and accountants."

SFA athletic teams recently brought home three Southland Conference championships. The women's volleyball team, coached by Debbie Humphreys, was recognized by regents for the accomplishment, as was the men's Cross Country team, with coaches Phil Olsen and Louis Snelling, who was named Southland Conference coach of the year. The women's soccer team, with coach Jamie Frias, also was honored. The championship came in Frias' first year as head soccer coach, and he was named coach of the year by the conference. The SFA bass fishing team, recent winners of the ESPN College Smash-Mouth Bass Championship, was recognized, along with Dr. Ray Worsham, team coach.

Regents selected J.F. Kingham Construction Co. to be construction manager at risk for the baseball-softball complex. The Nacogdoches company has worked on many projects at SFA, including the Student Recreation Center, the University Center renovation and Parking Garage, and the recently completed Human Services Building.

The other company vying for the project was RPR Construction Co. Inc. of Tyler.

The SFA Pineywoods Native Plant Center (PNPC) Recreational Trail Project will provide 9,000 feet of ADA-compliant asphalt trails through the PNPC. The trail will be 6 feet wide, and will be a network of interconnecting trail routes providing a variety of length and habitat options. The trail will serve as both an education/interpretive trail and as a public trail for casual walking, jogging, bicycling and skateboarding. The trail will offer training opportunities for degree programs in Resource Interpretation offered in the Arthur Temple College of Forestry and Agriculture, along with outdoor, elementary and secondary education students in the College of Education. This project has been funded by a grant from the Texas Parks and Wildlife Texas Recreational Trails Fund. Total cost of the project is $120,877, with $83,453 coming from TPWD and $37,424 coming from SFA's matching contribution.

Regents approved the purchase of two lots near the campus, 214 Feazell St. and 305 E. Starr Ave.

Regents also approved:
• changing the name of the Office of International Studies and Programs to the Office of International Programs;
• a contract with an environmental consultant, whose services the university has used on a regular basis in construction and other activities;
• a list of qualified investment brokers and financial institutions including Merrill Lynch Inc., ING, Neuberger Berman, Fayez Sarofim & Co., Davis Advisors, Lazard Asset Management, Franklin Private Client Group, Inc., MLIM L.P. Relative Value, NFJ Investment/PIMCO Allianz, Citizens 1st Bank, Commercial Bank of Texas, First Bank and Trust East Texas, Bancorp South Fredonia, Regions Bank Stone Fort and Texas Bank;
• the university's investment policy and strategy;
• renewal of the site license for Microsoft Office Suite and upgrades to Microsoft Operating Systems;
• a five-year lease of Xerox Docucolor and a Xerox 4110 printer; and
• an easement for a city of Nacogdoches sewer line on the campus.

Regents approved $899,000 the following allocation of Higher Education Assistance Funds, including $100,000 for signage to make navigating the campus easier for students and visitors, $60,000 for repairs to the theatre scene shop on North Street, and $200,000 for the poultry science program. The University Police Department will receive $160,000 for communication equipment and $30,000 for roof repair. Funds will be used to renovate the Ferguson Building, the Rusk Building Welcome Center and some offices in the Austin Building. Equipment for biology and chemistry will be purchased and utility upgrades will be made.

Regents approved entering into a revised agreement with Daktronics to provide scoreboards and marquees for athletics. Under the agreement, the company will place scoreboards and marquees at Homer Bryce Stadium, William R. Johnson Coliseum and the soccer field. A scoreboard at the baseball-softball complex will be included in financing when it is built.

New strength and cardio fitness equipment will be purchased for the Norton Health and Physical Education Complex weight room. The weight room is used for kinesiology classes and by recreational student users.

The food service contract was amended to reflect a greater number of students using food service. Meal plan revenue was projected using an average of 3,340 boarders, but in the fall, the average number of boarders was 3,704. Regents also adjusted the budget for Jack Camp, which was attended in 2005 by 505 incoming freshmen.

Regents heard reports from Dr. Brian Oswald, chair of the Faculty Senate; the Student Government Association; Gina Oglesbee, SFA auditor; Dr. Jerry Holbert, vice president for university advancement; President Tito Guerrero; and a signage report from a student design class.