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MEDIA ADVISORY

Stephen F. Austin State University

Board of Regents Board Meeting

March 20
Meeting 334
Austin Building 307

The Board of Regents of Stephen F. Austin State University will convene a telephone meeting according to the following agenda:

FRIDAY, March 20
10:00 a.m.
CALL TO ORDER IN OPEN SESSION

Board Action on Agenda Item 1:

Approval of Environmental Service Fee Policy

Board Action on Agenda Item 2:

ITS Wireless Networking Upgrade

EXECUTIVE SESSION
At approximately 10:15 a.m. or immediately following previous agenda items, the board will move to executive session for consideration of the following items:

Deliberations Regarding the Purchase, Exchange, Lease, Sale or Value of Real Property (Texas Government Code, Section 551.072)

Consultation with Attorney Regarding Legal Advice or Pending and/or Contemplated Litigation or Settlement Offers, including but not limited to EEOC charges, legal issues concerning contracts, NCAA Compliance, and Pamela Clasquin v. SFASU (Texas Government Code, Section 551.071)

Consideration of Individual Personnel Matters Relating to Appointment, Employment, Evaluation, Assignment, Duties, Discipline, or Dismissal of an Officer or Employee, including but not limited to the athletic director, vice presidents and the president (Texas Government Code, Section 551.074)

Deliberations Regarding Negotiated Contracts for Prospective Gifts or Donations (Texas Government Code, Section 551.073)

RECESS TO COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE IN OPEN SESSION

(This meeting will convene at approximately 10:30 a.m. or immediately following the previous committee adjournment.)

ESTIMATED ADJOURNMENT OF BOARD MEETING

(approximately 11:30 a.m.)

Stephen F. Austin State University’s dance program will showcase senior choreographic works during its production of “Danceworks: Ethos” at 7 p.m. April 30 in the HPE Complex Dance Studio, Room 201, on the university’s campus.

Additional showings are scheduled for 7 p.m. May 1, and 3 p.m. May 2. Eight choreographic works will be performed by four seniors and four independent study dance students preparing for their senior year.

Admission is free for SFA students with ID. Tickets cost $5 for non-SFA students and children; $8 for faculty, staff and senior citizens; and $10 for general admission. Tickets can be purchased at the door.

Danceworks serves as the capstone course for dance seniors and features tap, jazz, and modern and contemporary dance.

“The production teaches students a variety of skills other than choreography,” said Heather Samuelson, dance program co-coordinator and assistant professor in SFA’s Department of Kinesiology and Health Science. “Students learn how to cast a show, promote a performance, design lighting, select costumes and edit music.”

The production’s theme “ethos” explores concepts ranging from all-encompassing space to the harnessing of happiness.

“As a choreographer, I have learned more about myself and talent,” said Jesse Ochoa, a senior from Harlingen who focused on insomnia for his work. “Danceworks has given me the confidence to present a part of myself through my art.”

Ashley Washington, a senior from Katy, said her work on this production felt very personal.

“My topic, overthinking and overanalyzing, is something that has affected me my entire life, and it has been very refreshing to put my thoughts into movement,” she said. “The process of being a choreographer has taught me to be patient with others and myself. My artistic ability has not only been pushed but enriched. I have only grown positively, and I am very grateful for this experience.”

Chesney Garza, a senior from Galveston, choreographed a work about how sound affects behavioral and cognitive abilities.

“I wanted to create something that I enjoyed doing yet challenged me and my dancers,” Garza said. “It has pushed me to break boundaries and apply myself as a choreographer. This has been an exciting experience, and my dancers have done an amazing job bringing my ideas to life.”

In response to the actions taken by Stephen F. Austin State University to restrict the possible spread of COVID-19, the College of Fine Arts has canceled all art, music and theatre events through April 5, and tickets already purchased for events scheduled during that time period can be refunded.

On March 12, SFA President Dr. Scott Gordon announced that spring break would be extended an additional two days, and beginning March 18, all SFA classes will be held in an online or other distance-learning format until April 6. Additionally, all on-campus events scheduled through April 5 are cancelled or postponed. Students are asked to remain off campus until in-person classes resume.

Although there are no confirmed cases of the virus on SFA’s campus, several cases have been confirmed in Texas. SFA followed the CDC recommendations for social distancing in making its decision to move to online class formats, according to information on the university website.

The fine arts calendar at http://www.finearts.sfasu.edu indicates the events that have been canceled thus far. But because of the uncertainty of COVID-19 and the evolving circumstances associated with a pandemic, further cancellation of events is possible, according to Dr. A.C. “Buddy” Himes, dean of the College of Fine Arts.

“The College of Fine Arts wants to do its part to keep our campus and community safe,” Himes said. “Some of our fine arts events may be rescheduled, while others simply must be canceled due to time constraints and venue scheduling issues as we near the end of this semester. Please visit the CFA website at http://www.finearts.sfasu.edu for updates to this ever-changing situation.”

Refunds are available on request. Unrefunded purchases become donations to the respective events and programs. For details about advance ticket refunds or the possible rescheduling of certain events, contact the Fine Arts Box Office at (936) 468-6407 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday.

For official information about SFA’s cancellation of on-campus activities, go to http://www.sfasu.edu/life-at-sfa/health-safety/health-clinic/coronavirus.