SFA Regents rename facility, approve budget

Dr. Janice Pattillo, retiring chair of the Department of Elementary Education at Stephen F. Austin State University, listens as Steve McCarty, vice chair of the SFA Board of Regents, addresses the board. Regents approved renaming SFA's early childhood research center as the Janice Pattillo Early Childhood Research Center. Also pictured are, from left, Dr. Todd Brown, SFA assistant professor of finance; Paige Pattillo-Brown, Nacogdoches attorney and daughter of Drs. Baker and Janice Pattillo; SFA President Baker Pattillo, and SFA benefactor Ed Cole.

The Stephen F. Austin State University Board of Regents voted unanimously Tuesday to name the Early Childhood Research Center in honor of Dr. Janice Pattillo, who is retiring after 42 years of service to the university.

The 120,000-square-foot facility opened in July 2009 and comprises the nationally accredited Early Childhood Laboratory, "exemplary" rated University Charter School and award-winning Department of Elementary Education.
Regents also approved the naming of the new Student Success Center for Ed and Gwen Cole. The center is located in SFA's newest residence hall, Lumberjack Landing.

"Ed and Gwen Cole are two of our greatest supporters of this university," said Dr. Baker Pattillo, SFA president. "They don't have biological children of their own, but their children are the students of SFA, and they have been very generous in doing everything they can to make sure those students succeed."

Regents recognized Dr. James Standley, who is retiring after 41 years of service to the university, most recently serving as dean of the Graduate School. His duties as dean will be assumed by Dr. Mary Nelle Brunson, who will continue to serve also as associate vice president for academic affairs, a position she has held since 2008.

Regents approved the adoption of the institutional budget for the 2011-12 fiscal year, which totaled $217.9 million. Regents approved the capital infrastructure plan for 2011-12 totaling $4.9 million. The plan addresses capital renewal, deferred maintenance and renovation projects, including the remodeling and renovating of the theatre area in the Griffith Fine Arts Building; elevator renovations; replacement of carpet, furniture and showers in Steen Hall; soccer field drainage maintenance; repair and replacement of football stadium fencing; and replacement and upgrades to air-conditioning system components.

A $1.8 million capital operating plan budget also was approved. Among the items included in the plan are new microscopes for science labs at a cost not to exceed $306,000, television studio equipment at a cost not to exceed $225,000 and the installation of emergency call boxes at the SFA Trails.

Regents recognized SFA Athletic Director Robert Hill, who was named Under Armour Athletic Director of the Year by the National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics. Hill is in his seventh year as director, and under his leadership, SFA teams have won 22 Southland Conference titles and have made NCAA championship appearances in football, men's basketball, women's basketball, volleyball, soccer, softball and indoor/outdoor track.

SFA Bass Club members Andrew Upshaw, a marketing senior from Hemphill, and Ryan Watkins, a kinesiology senior from Rockport, also were recognized by regents. The duo recently won the Mercury College B.A.S.S. National Championship in Arkansas. It was the second national championship in seven years for the SFA Bass Club.

Regents also approved:

• Policy revisions and revisions to the intercollegiate athletic policies and procedures manual;
• Renewal of a contract with Brivic media for media-buying services for up to four years at a cost not to exceed $100,000 per year;
• A cntract with Simplex for fire alarm system testing at a price not to exceed $140,000 per year for the next three years;
• Extension of a contract with Hydrex Environmental for geological consulting services as needed on an hourly basis for five years at a total cost not to exceed $200,000;
• Authorizing the president to sign a contract for the purchase of natural gas;
• Additional grant awards for 2011 totaling $1.3 million and grant awards for 2012 of $9.4 million;
• An increase in the graduation fee from $25 to $50, and an increase in the late application fee from $50 to $100 beginning Sept. 1;
• Issuance of a request for proposals for a third-party billing service provider for services performed in the athletic training facility;
• The university holiday schedule for 2011-12; and
• The reappointment of the president, general counsel, director of audit services and coordinator of board affairs.