VANCOUVER, Wash. – The Board of Regents of Washington State University today approved construction of three major capital projects and authorized the commencement of predesign work on two others, all on the main Pullman campus.
Meeting at the Firstenburg Student Commons on the campus of WSU Vancouver, the Regents gave approval to the design and construction of the $40 million Northside Residence Hall – Phase 2 project, a 100,000-square-foot, 250-bed residence hall and dining facility on the Pullman campus.
The Regents also gave approval to a general revenue bond resolution authorizing the issuance and sale of bonds or other obligations to be used for university student housing projects in an amount not to exceed $40 million over a maximum term of 30 years and at an interest rate of no more than six percent. The bond proceeds will be used to reimburse or fund construction of the projects and bond issuance costs.
Another project approved for design and construction by the Regents was the Clean Technology Laboratory Building, a new interdisciplinary facility which will house science and engineering programs in Pullman and be used to advance technologies in sustainable materials, atmospheric research and water quality. Total budget for the project is $52.8 million, including $2.5 million which was approved previously for design and preconstruction.
A general revenue bond resolution authorizing the issuance and sale of bonds or other obligations to be used for the Clean Technology Laboratory Building in an amount not to exceed $20 million over a maximum term of 30 years at a rate of no more than six percent was also passed by the Regents. The 2013 State Legislature authorized the WSU to issue the debt and to use WSU’s Building Fee and Trust Fund Revenues to pay debt service on the obligations.
The Plant Growth Facilities – Phase 2 project, a $10 million project on the Pullman campus intended to replace WSU’s aging plant science research support infrastructure, including greenhouses and controlled environments, was also approved by the Regents.
A $500,000 predesign of the Plant Sciences Building project was also approved. The project is intended to advance the development of the Research and Education Complex east of Stadium Way. A $225,000 pre-design was also approved for the Plant Growth Facilities Phase 1 project, meant to support emerging needs in plant science research.
A number of proposed changes to the Faculty Manual, including changes extending tenure-track appointments to half-time faculty, increasing to 10 percent the amount of salary increase afforded to faculty upon promotion, and extending additional protection to faculty in issues involving termination, were also approved by the Regents.
Contact: Robert Strenge, WSU News, 509-335-3583, rstrenge@wsu.edu