Stephen F. Austin State University

A longtime leader of Stephen F. Austin State University has been named interim president.

Dr. Baker Pattillo, vice president for university affairs, was appointed by a unanimous vote of the SFA Board of Regents to serve as president for one year, with a renewal option for an additional year.

“My role has been to serve students and to attend to student needs; that role will now be expanded to all areas of the university,” Pattillo said. “However, students are the primary reason we are here, so I’ll be focusing on our continued efforts to improve recruitment and retention. I’m looking forward to this and will give my best to the university every day.”

Pattillo joined the SFA administration in 1966 as assistant director of placement and student financial aid. He advanced through the ranks as director of placement and student financial aid, dean of student services, and vice president for student affairs to his current position.

A native of Arp, Pattillo earned an associate of art degree from Tyler Junior College before enrolling at SFA, where he received a Bachelor of Science degree in English and history and a master’s degree in education. He earned a Ph.D. in educational administration from Texas A&M in 1971.

Pattillo replaces Dr. Tito Guerrero III, who resigned.

Regents began planning for the issuance of $30 million in tuition revenue bonds by expanding the role of the architectural firm 3DI in developing a master plan for campus facilities. Plans now include a classroom audit and building condition assessments at a cost not to exceed $125,000.

“One of the major items identified as needing more specific attention is the adequacy of the university's classrooms,” said Dr. Marlin Young, associate provost and vice president for academics. “The tuition revenue bonds can be issued beginning in September 2007, but we first need to review classroom needs and assess the areas of greatest need.”

A $20 million education research center will be constructed with bond proceeds. Remaining funds will be used for maintenance projects.

A $169 million budget for the upcoming year was approved and includes a $9 per semester credit hour increase in designated tuition and a 6 percent increase in room and board. A 1 percent salary pool for employee raises also is included.

Two new endowments established in the memory of a former dean of forestry and a former Texas state forester were approved by regents. The Laurence C. Walker Scholarship Fund and Bruce R. Miles Scholarship Fund will fund scholarships for forestry students. Walker served as forestry dean from 1963 and to 1976.

Regents approved the consolidation of the College of Liberal Arts and the College of Applied Arts and Sciences. The name for the merged college will be the College of Liberal and Applied Arts.

“This merger will bring together complementary departments and provide a solid array of academic programs under the leadership of one dean,” Young said. “The historic commonality among the 10 departments and the potential for bringing all these programs to new levels of excellence make this a powerful and positive change for the university.”

An online principal’s preparation program will be offered beginning this fall. The Master's Program in Educational Leadership is a 36-credit-hour program that offers principal certification as part of the master's degree. Students who have previously completed a master's degree also can work toward principal certification through the program.

During the time last fall that the university provided housing for Hurricane Rita evacuees in Johnson Coliseum, the building was used as living space 24 hours a day for approximately one month. As a result, carpet, walls and ceilings in the first floor hall and in the tunnel received extensive wear. Additionally, the metal portion of the exterior of the coliseum has not been painted since the building was constructed in 1974. Regents approved renovations of the building at a cost not to exceed $88,000.

The Tucker House at 2900 Raguet St. received damage as a direct result of Hurricane Rita. FEMA has provided $37,500 and insurance provided $11,770 for repairs. Regents approved a project for historically accurate repairs at a cost of $74,000.

Other campus improvements approved by regents included a $25,000 increase in the budget to resurface the track at Homer Bryce Stadium and the replacement of three electrical breakers installed in 1968 at a cost not to exceed $90,000. The board authorized the administration to renew a contract with a roofing consultant to review the condition of campus roofs, provide guidance in scheduling roof replacements and assist the university with warranty issues.

The budget for campus projects approved at the April board meeting was increased by $250,000 to $500,000, and regents allocated $400,000 from the Lumberjack Village housing project for an increase in the furniture allowance.

Regents approved a license agreement and technical support fees for software and hardware that controls door access to the residence halls and other buildings on campus, as well as meal plan redemptions and cash register functions for Aramark, SFA’s food service provider, and the Jack Bucks stored value account program.

Regents approved the purchase of automobile insurance and directors and officers liability insurance through the State Office of Risk Management. General liability, property, inland marine, and boiler and machinery insurance will continue to be provided by Travelers through USI Insurance Services of Texas.

Regents approved the purchase of electric utilities from Deep East Texas Electric Cooperative and water, sanitary sewer and landfill services from the city of Nacogdoches. The administration will seek proposals for the purchase of natural gas and was authorized to contract for one or more years at the best available price.

The university will solicit contracts for temporary staffing services and will present a recommendation to regents at an upcoming meeting.

Also approved were:

• a contract with Terracon for geotechnical engineering and construction testing services;
• a contract for fuel cards;
• organizational and job title changes;
• revisions to the athletic policy and procedure manual;
• a master lease agreement with Lehigh Capital, which will allow the university to lease equipment without having to deal with a variety of leasing companies; and
• a contract with Merrill Lynch to provide investment management services to the university.
  

Regents heard a report from the Faculty Senate and were introduced to the new officers of the Student Government Association.