Regents OK Renovations, Fees

The Texas State University System Board of Regents took the actions in a regular quarterly meeting held on the campus of Southwest Texas State University, one of five universities and university systems which it governs.

Meal rates will increase from 4.7 percent for the five-meal plan to 6.9 percent for the 10-meal plan, effective at the beginning of the 1999 fall semester.

SHSU administrators said the increases were necessary to offset increased costs of operation and the addition of a premium entrée in the Kirkley dining hall on the Monday-Thursday evening menu.

Rick Lester, SHSU food service director for the ARAMARK Corp., said that the planned upscale menu items will cost students less than $2 per week, and were added in response to their suggestions. The per meal cost under the 20 meal per week plan under the new rates will be $2.67 per meal.

Room rate increases, also requested because of increased costs of operations, including employee benefits and insurance and utilities, will be $20 per semester, or 2.42 percent for most halls. Under the new pricing structure, rooms will range in price from $845 to $990 per semester, or approximately $8 per day.

Also increasing will be the tuition-general use fee, now at $17 per semester hour, which will go to $21 per semester hour in the 1999 fall semester and $24 per semester hour in 2000 fall semester.

SHSU administrators said the average tuition-general use fee charged by state senior universities, not including health science institutions, is $26 per semester credit hour, and the additional funds will be used primarily for faculty and staff pay increases.

Contractors were hired for three renovation projects.

J & M Contracting Co. of Huntsville was awarded a $2.2 million contract for renovation of White Hall, which was built in 1963 and will house 143 students when the project is completed prior to the 2000 fall semester.

The project includes the renovation of plumbing, electrical and heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems as well as alterations to the floor plan to provide suites instead of individual rooms. The suite concept was adopted based on student approval of a prototype suite constructed by the Physical Plant Department.

In other action, Area Wide Mechanical, Inc. of College Station was awarded a $260,000 project for mechanical renovation of the Belvin-Buchanan and Elliott Residence Halls. That work is scheduled to be completed prior to the 1999 fall semester.

The project will replace air handling equipment associated with the heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems in the buildings.

A $165,000 contract was also awarded to Prime Contractors Inc. of Houston for mechanical renovations in the Lowman Student Center, including building heating equipment and ductwork in the Burger King food service area.

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SHSU Media Contact: Frank Krystyniak
March 4, 1999
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