Board of Trustees Meeting Recap: July 2022

07/26/2022

by Buffy Lockette

The Jacksonville State Board of Trustees held its quarterly meeting on campus on July 19. It was the first meeting for the university’s new Faculty Senate president, Dr. Wendy Stephens, and SGA president, Jewel Johnson.

The board honored retiring university counsel Sam Monk, who served in the role for nearly a decade, and recognized Coach Ray Harper on the men’s basketball team’s outstanding season. While on campus, the trustees also participated in dedication ceremonies for Hugh Merrill Hall and the Miriam and James Haywood Memorial Fountain. 

The following action items were discussed during the meeting: 

Stadium Expansion/North Village Housing Project - The board authorized for the housing portion of this project to be relocated to the North Village housing area. In accordance with the Campus Master Plan, the new housing development will address freshman on-campus living demands. The new dining facility and Gamecock football offices remain in the stadium project. These changes will allow the university to reduce construction costs associated with inflation and supply chain environment. The anticipated completion date for the North Village Housing Project and Stadium Expansion remains for Fall 2024.

Randy Owen Center for the Performing Arts (ROC) – The board authorized the president to enter into an agreement to purchase First Baptist Church of Jacksonville. Board members said acquiring the church will allow the university to reduce costs by relocating some of the programs planned for the Randy Owen Center for the Performing Arts (ROC), such as practice space for the Marching Southerners, to the renovated church. With its close proximity to campus, the property will provide the university numerous opportunities for instructional growth. JSU will continue to work with the architects to construct a new 1000-seat Randy Owen Center for the Performing Arts for $25 million and modify the design to connect with the church property. The ROC construction will be funded from a $15 million state allocation and $10 million from fundraising efforts.

New Degree Programs – The board approved a proposal from the Department of Kinesiology to establish bachelor’s and master’s degree programs in public health. Following approvals by the state and appropriate accrediting bodies, the start date for the new programs is planned for Fall 2024. 

The next meeting of the Board of Trustees is scheduled for Oct. 18 at the JSU Canyon Center in Fort Payne.