The Stephen F. Austin State University Board of Regents concluded its quarterly meeting Tuesday in which it approved construction and maintenance projects delayed by the COVID-19 pandemic, heard results of a campus climate survey, and approved the university’s 2022-23 operating budget that will include a budget supplement for faculty and staff compensation.
At the beginning of the business portion of the meeting, Regents Chair Karen Gantt briefly addressed the discussion surrounding the potential of SFA joining a university system: “I want to address a matter that has been a topic of campus discussion. There have been questions regarding system affiliation. We have heard these questions, and we have discussed them as well. We will be analyzing this issue, and we will communicate more with you and the campus community as we evaluate what is in the best interest of our university.”
The board then moved on with its business.
On Feb. 6, 2019, the board issued bonds to finance several construction and improvement projects across the campus. Some of the projects included in this funding were postponed during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The board approved a resolution at this meeting to use these bond funds to proceed with the construction of a new dining facility at the site of Hall 16, which is scheduled to be demolished this fall. The dining facility will serve students and other patrons who currently dine in the East College Dining Hall, which will be demolished after the new dining facility is complete.
Additional projects approved were deferred maintenance on several academic and auxiliary facilities, deferred maintenance in residence halls, the removal of several older and unused residence halls, and a campus electric grid analysis.
The board also heard the results of a campus climate survey from Dr. Michara Delaney-Fields, SFA’s chief diversity officer. Most SFA community members feel that they are learning, welcome, connected to their peers, respected and valued at SFA. Results from the survey also reflected challenges from historically underrepresented and marginalized groups whose responses were less favorable.
In addition, the board approved the fiscal year 2022-23 operating budget and a one-time use of $3.7 million for additional faculty and staff compensation. With the supplement of $3.7 million, the fiscal year 2022-23 annual institutional operating budget totals $273,720,925.
Regents also acknowledged receipt of the audit services report and approved:
• curriculum changes
• grant awards totaling $509,457 for fiscal year to date
• policy revisions
• and the minutes of previous meetings.
Regents heard reports from Interim President Steve Westbrook; Dr. Chris McKenna, chair of the Faculty Senate; Megan Weatherly, chair of the Staff Council; and Madison Gartman, president of the Student Government Association.
For more information, visit sfasu.edu/regents.
