SPOKANE, Wash. – Transformation of the “Old Bookie” building on Washington State University’s Pullman campus into state-of-the-art student study and social space moved another step closer to reality this morning as a result of action by the WSU Board of Regents.
At their regularly scheduled December meeting at the WSU Health Sciences Spokane campus, the regents approved schematic design documents for the Chinook project renovation of the former home of the student bookstore, The Bookie.
“The students have reviewed the design and, as I understand it, approve the design and, in fact, are quite pleased with it,” said Regent Lura Powell.
WSU Pullman students earlier this year voted to increase student fees by $98 per semester in order to generate roughly $3.3 million per year to meet a debt payment estimated to be approximately $2.2 million, which would cover the $32 million in project costs. The student fee also will cover the operating and maintenance costs of the renovated facility estimated at $1.1 million.
The project will include a full building renovation that will repurpose the building as a new student space. Amenities in the new Chinook building are to include ample study and social spaces, a quick serve restaurant, recreation spaces, a fitness center, and an outdoor courtyard developed to include outdoor seating and a variety of activity spaces.
In other business, the board:
- Approved recommended changes related to copyrights and royalties from the Office for Economic Development and External Affairs to Section IV.H Copyright Policy of the Faculty Manual. The Faculty Senate approved the recommended changes on Oct. 8, 2015.
- Heard a report from Regent Mike Worthy about the progress of the search for the next president of WSU. Worthy said the search committee has developed 12 characteristics for the next president and an “Opportunities and Challenges” document for candidate recruitment. He said the position has been advertised, and the committee is working with search consultants to build the candidate pool. “We have every expectation we will name a president next spring,” Worthy said.
- Heard a report from WSU Interim President Dan Bernardo about the institution’s progress on its Strategic Plan. One year into the plan, the implementation team has finalized 55 metrics to measure progress in all areas of the university and identified 14 different peer institutions, including Iowa State University, University of Maryland, Purdue and Virginia Tech.
Contact:
Kathy Barnard, University Communications, (509) 335-7628, kbarnard@wsu.edu