USI Board of Trustees gives green light for PAC renovation

At its regular meeting on November 6, 2014, the University of Southern Indiana Board of Trustees approved a resolution to authorize the University to request approval from the Indiana Commission for Higher Education, the Indiana State Budget Committee, and the governor of the State of Indiana to proceed with the renovation of USI's Physical Activities Center (PAC).

The 2013 Indiana General Assembly appropriated cash funds to USI to undertake three projects: renovation of the Biology Department in the Science Center; renovation of selected areas of the Art Department in the Technology Center; and renovation of selected areas and possible expansion of the PAC.

The Science Center and Technology Center Renovations were approved by the trustees in November 2013. Renovation of the Biology Department on the lower level of the Science Center, the University's oldest academic facility, was completed in fall 2014, finalizing a multi-year renovation of the building that first saw the Mathematics and Chemistry departments renovated. The Technology Center is nearing completion of Phase I of III to renovate the second-oldest academic building on campus. The two projects combined were budgeted at $2 million.

If approved, the University would begin selection of an architect for the PAC project in 2014, with construction slated to begin in late 2015. The University's project budget is $16 million for the renovation.

The board also heard a report on the 2013-14 Student Financial Aid Programs. The report contained a summary and program specific data of all student aid programs administered by Student Financial Assistance, Veterans' Support Services and Career Services and Internships.

In other business the board approved candidates for master, baccalaureate, and associate degrees to be conferred at the 2014 Fall Commencement on December 13.