Regents approve residence hall, greenhouse projects

PULLMAN, Wash. – The Board of Regents of Washington State University approved residence hall and greenhouse projects as well as a fee increase for the Student Recreation Center at its meeting Friday in Pullman.
Regents authorized construction of a new Northside Residence Hall, to be built in the parking lot adjacent to Regents Hall on the north side of campus. The project is expected to cost $32.6 million, which would come from housing and dining system funds.
 
In November 2010, the regents approved a $32.6 million proposal to renovate and add to Waller Hall as part of ongoing improvements in campus housing.
 
But during the process of creating a campus master plan, planners determined that the Northside site was more consistent with long-term development. The projected cost of a new facility is similar to projections for the renovation and additions to Waller.
 
Waller will have limited updates and eventually will be renovated for other uses in line with the master plan.
 
The Northside project is scheduled to begin in May 2012, with projected completion in July 2013.
 
In other business, the regents:
 
•Approved a $1.1 million project to build a second greenhouse near an existing greenhouse on Wilson Road for use in biochemical/biofuels research. The College of Agricultural, Human and Natural Resources Sciences will fund the project, which is expected to be completed this summer.
 
•Authorized the administration to seek a buyer for the Jensen Byrd land and building near the WSU Spokane campus. If a buyer is found, the transaction would go back to the regents for approval. Proceeds from any sale would go to support the medical program on the Spokane campus.
 
•Approved changes to the university’s student conduct code; changes are designed to make the process less adversarial and provide a right to appeal to the president in some cases.
 
•Approved changes to the university’s debt management policy, which should allow university leadership and the regents to take a more comprehensive view of debt obligations.
 
•Approved the services and activities fee level and allocations for the upcoming academic year. There is no increase in the $512 fee for 2011-12.
 
•Approved a 1.73 percent increase in fees for the Student Recreation Center.
 
•Named Theodor Baseler of Seattle as chair of the board and Scott Carson of Federal Way as vice chair for the 2011-12 academic year.
The regents’ next regularly scheduled meeting will be Sept. 2 in Pullman. However, the regents will hold a special meeting to establish tuition levels for the next academic year after the Washington Legislature approves the 2011-13 biennial budget.