Minutes of Meeting

CAMPUS SPACE AND FACILITIES COMMITTEE
Minutes of October 31, 2001

Memorial Union - University Chambers

Committee Members present: John Elder, Derald Bates, Berlin Nelson, Randy Hittman, Will Bleier, Gary Goreham, Justin Welch, Vern Markey, Craig Schnell, Dick Rayl

Committee Members absent: Darryl Booker, Jurgen Schwartz, Joe Mathern

Ex-Officio Members present: Gene Blumhardt for Deanna Sellnow, Paul Gleye, Bruce Frantz, Don Hanson Tim Lee

Others present: Gina Haugen

Randy Hittman moved to accept the minutes of the March 20, 2001 meeting. Will Bleier seconded the motion. Motion carried.

C.I. Nelson Building (Dick Rayl)
Dick Rayl reported on the conversion of the C.I. Nelson Building into additional classroom space for the campus. The decision was made by the President's Cabinet during the summer months to proceed with the renovation of the building without the recommendation of the Space Subcommittee. (This was due to the factors of time, the increased need of classroom space because of enrollment, and the limited availability of the subcommittee members during the summer months.) The renovation included the conversion of rooms into three classrooms-two that will each accommodate 30 students and one that will accommodate approximately 39 students. A motion was made by Craig Schnell and seconded by Gary Goreham to accept the utilization of the C.I. Nelson Building into additional classroom space for the campus. Motion carried.

Vacant Campus Spaces (Dick Rayl, Will Bleier)
Discussion then followed concerning University space issues. VP Schnell indicated that there are some serious space moves needing to be made on campus. Questions were raised on the proper procedure/policy for reallocating this vacant space and the role of the committee in the process. VP Rayl stated that if the vacant space occurs within a building and/or department, the issue may be settled internally. If it occurs between departments, buildings, and/or Vice President areas or if it becomes an issue within a department, it should be brought before the Space Subcommittee for discussion. VP Rayl then turned the discussion over to Will Bleier, Space Subcommittee chairperson, for his input.

Professor Bleier informed the full committee that there has been some confusion within the subcommittee on its role. He also reiterated that it was his understanding that if space became vacant within a department or college that the subcommittee does not get involved at that time unless a conflict occurs, and it will then intervene. It is his perception that the role of the Space Subcommittee is to study the issues that arise and to make an informed recommendation to the full committee after reviewing all of the information presented.

Research and Technology Park Update (Dick Rayl)
Dick Rayl provided an update on the progress at the R&TP. The first facility is nearing completion with the expected move in date to be late December or early January. A building typically takes approximately 15 months for completion; the footprint of this building has changed constantly (the latest change taking place one week ago), so its process has been longer than most.

The second building will contain clean rooms comprised of Class 100 rooms that can be converted to Class 10 rooms (pertaining to particles per cubic feet). The 9-11-01 attacks on the East Coast changed the process for the building-it will now go through the architect and bidding process rather than the design/build process as previously planned.

Planning Subcommittee (John Elder)
In the absence of Darryl Booker, re-elected subcommittee chair, John Elder gave the subcommittee report concerning the proposal by Kenneth Kellog, College of Engineering and Architecture, for the placement of a steel connection sculpture near the CIE building. After reviewing the supporting material provided by Dr. Kellog and touring two proposed sites, the committee recommended the following:

§ That the sculpture has academic merit.
§ That it be placed outside of the north entrance of the CIE building.
§ That it be painted a primer red to facilitate repainting, should the need arise.
§ That it be set off from any concrete walkways to deter any would-be climbers.
§ That a small plaque be placed near the sculpture indicating that it was placed for pedagogical purposes.

The motion was made by John Elder, seconded by Randy Hittman, to accept the Planning Subcommittee's recommendation. Motion carried with nine ayes and one dissenting vote being cast. Bruce Frantz will contact Professor Kellog on the details.

Space Subcommittee (Will Bleier)
Will Bleier, re-elected subcommittee chair, reported on the old credit union/post office area being vacated by the Office of Research Administration upon its move to the Research and Technology Park. Two proposals were submitted for this area-one from the College of Business Administration for its executive education and MBA programs and one from Disability Services to provide a testing area for physically challenged students. After reviewing the proposals and hearing from Jay Leitch, the committee recommended that the space be allocated to the College of Business Administration for the following reasons:

§ The safety of the students in crossing University Drive was questioned.
§ Disability Services appears to be accommodating the requests of the physically challenged students at this time.
§ The College of Business Administration is experiencing sizeable growth and will also move into a new Business Building in the future.

The motion was made by Will Bleier, seconded by Berlin Nelson, to accept the Space Subcommittee's recommendation. Motion carried with nine ayes and one dissenting vote being cast.

FEMA Update (Bruce Frantz)
Bruce Frantz provided an update concerning FEMA issues on campus. The Library retaining wall will be the last project to be completed for this year. Emergency generators will be installed on campus, and steam lines and tunnels will be the main focus for next summer, with work beginning immediately after spring commencement and continuing throughout the summer. Physical activities should be completed by the end of next summer, but the accounting and closeout aspects will continue for some time to come.

Other Business
Berlin Nelson voiced concerns about the traffic situation near the AR Lot. He has been observing traffic patterns around that area and stated that it has become very dangerous, especially for pedestrians, since the removal of one of the exits onto 18th Avenue Street. A substantial amount of traffic from AR Lot makes a left rather than right turn out of that lot, thus congesting the narrow access area around the Ag Service Center building. Physical Plant has been monitoring the situation since the completion of WE Lot. It was suggested that Tim Lee contact the Upper Great Plains Transportation Institute to study the area and to make its recommendations to Physical Plant. Tim will contact Dr. Ayman Smadi for his assistance.

With no further business, the meeting was adjourned.

Respectfully submitted,

Gina Haugen
Assistant to the Vice President for Business and Finance