Dec. 17, 2004

Contact: Ross C. Feltz --- 724-738-2919,  cell: 412-400-6913, e-mail: ross.feltz@sru.edu

SRU TRUSTEES GRANT FAST-TRACK AUTHORITY FOR REPLACING RESIDENCE HALLS

               SLIPPERY ROCK, Pa. --- Slippery Rock University’s Council of Trustees endorsed a fast-track schedule for a residence hall construction plan and approved SRU President Robert M. Smith as the University’s representative for the project that will provide 2,197 replacement beds for students choosing to live on campus.

               The two-phase project, estimated to cost $110 million, will replace six residence halls, built between 1958 and 1973, which lack the efficiency to appropriately meet the needs of students.

               The Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education established this fast-track, land-lease program that will enable the Slippery Rock University Foundation, Inc. to build the new facilities. 

        “This partnership enables us to move much faster in providing new modern housing for our students,” said Smith. “Our foundation board members and our trustees have provided excellent leadership in developing this ambitious project.”

Equestrian center construction, fire department contributions, other action

                 With $378,000 of donor funds committed to the construction of the new Storm Harbor Equestrian Center, trustees approved the use of university funds to make up the balance of the projected $675,000 cost, with the understanding that the SRU Foundation is “committed to raising the additional funds.”

               The new center will play a major role in the university’s Adapted Physical Activity program and its Center for Disability and Health.

               The council authorized a contribution of $15,000 to the Slippery Rock Volunteer Fire Department and expressed the desire that it be shared with the Rescue Squad.  It also approved a $565 contribution to Sandy Lake Volunteer and Stoneboro Volunteer Fire Departments for their availability to the McKeever Environmental Learning Center, which SRU manages.

               Trustees also reviewed and approved contracts, fixed assets, and service and supply purchase orders. In other action, they defeated a proposal to  increase fines for parking violations from $15 to $25. They approved the audited financial statements for the years ended June 30, 2003 and 2004, and approved a resolution to commit $40,000 of student fees allocated to the University Union for conducting a feasibility study to determine whether it is best to renovate the 34-year-old building, add to it, or replace it.

Retirements

                Trustees acknowledged the following retirements:

               Robert Berner, professor, special education, of Slippery Rock, with 33 ½ years of experience;

               Robert Mathieu, professor,  geography, geology and the environment, of New Castle,  with 26 years of experience;

               William Oman, professor, philosophy, of Slippery Rock, with 33 years of experience;

               Robert Sattler, professor, special education, of Pittsburgh, with 17 years of experience;

               Alvin Walters, director of Internal Audit, of Slippery Rock, with 28 ½ years of experience;

               Constance Dickey, Library, of Slippery Rock, with 35 years of experience;

               Charles Moore, facilities and planning, of Youngstown, Ohio, with 21 ½ years of experience; and Marlene Walters, student accounts, of Slippery Rock, with 19 years of experience.

Professor Emeritus

            Trustees were informed that professor emeritus status has been granted to the following individuals:

               Hanna Case, modern languages and cultures, of Washington Court House, Ohio, with 33 ½ years experience;

               James Fearday, chemistry and physics, of Royal Palm Beach, Fla., with 31 years of experience;

               George Force, political science, of Grove City, with 34 years of experience;

               Barry Hammond, political science, of Butler, with 35 years of experience;

               George Highland, chemistry and physics, of Grove City, with 36 years of experience;

               Parameswar Krishnakumar, School of Business, of Slippery Rock, with 30 years of experience;

               W.G. Sayre, chemistry and physics, of Boyers, with 34 years of experience;

and David Taylor, chemistry and physics, of Slippery Rock, with 36 years of experience.

               The next meeting of the council will be 1:30 p.m., March 11, 2005.

 PN, WPN, PT,