Stephen F. Austin State University

NACOGDOCHES – Stephen F. Austin State University regents endorsed a fundraising plan for a baseball-softball complex for the university during their regular fall meeting Thursday. Potential donors will be able to buy more than peanuts and Cracker Jacks - locker rooms, batting cages and dugouts are also up for grabs.

In his first report to the Board of Regents as interim president, Dr. Baker Pattillo endorsed a time limit on fund raising efforts to solicit private donations for the new stadiums, while reiterating his dedication to a mid-year salary increase for faculty and staff.

“When I came into this position, the budget had been set and a 1 percent pool for faculty and staff salary increases was included,” Pattillo said. “I pledged to do everything in my power to have a mid-year salary adjustment, and I plan to send a letter to faculty and staff in December wishing them a happy holiday and telling them that I will be bringing that recommendation to the board in January.”

The baseball complex will be named for East Texas poultry business icon Bo Pilgrim, who has pledged $1 million. Naming rights for the baseball stadium are still on the market for $750,000, as well as the softball field and field house, which carry a $500,000 price tag each.

“So many people in the community have expressed their elation over the prospect of bringing baseball back to SFA and the benefits a first-class baseball-softball complex will have on East Texas,” Pattillo said. “We have tried to create opportunities for these enthusiastic supporters to be a part of this effort and to document their contributions.”

Other naming opportunities include two locker rooms ($50,000 each) and two batting cages ($25,000 each). Also available for $25,000 each are the weight room, two home team dugouts and two visiting team dugouts. Permanently engraved plates in memory or in honor of designated individuals may be purchased on baseball or softball seating for $1,200.

A bronze wall at the stadium entrance will list names of supporters. Names can be listed for $300, with price reductions for multiple listings.

A January 2008 deadline was set for raising funds equivalent to 25 percent of the cost for the $14 million project. Pattillo said that if the goal was not met, the project would be brought back to the regents to be reconsidered.

“We are committed to baseball,” Pattillo said. “But before we can issue bonds for the project, we have to raise a certain percentage of the cost. If we haven’t raised the money by this time, we’ll come back to the board to re-examine the project.”

Regents also approved wetland mitigation for the property at a rate not to exceed $10,000 per acre, plus associated maintenance fees, with the source of funds from previously designated fund balance..

Regents approved an agreement that governs the relationship of the university with the SFASU Foundation. The agreement was previously approved by the foundation’s board of trustees and is in alignment with the model provided by the Council for Advancement and Support of Education.

Regents also approved an annual audit plan and report, as well as an internal audit charter that conforms to the requirements of the International Standards for the Professional Practice of Internal Auditing. They heard reports from the faculty senate, the university auditor, and the Student Government Association. Minutes from recent meetings were approved, as were faculty and staff appointments, reclassifications and retirements.

Regents also approved:

• purchase of property at 117 E. Starr Avenue for $78,000;
• Removal of a vault in the office of the vice president for finance and administration to create additional office space, and renovation of the administrative suites with lighting and electrical upgrades at a cost not to exceed $100,000;
• Request for reissue of two checks from General American Mutual Holding Company that contained erroneous identification;
• Temporary services contract with Kelly Services to be effective through August 2008;
• Contract with Camp Olympia for the production of Jack Camp; and
• Payment to Taylor Publishing for yearbook production.