August 29, 2008

Trustees OK residence hall upgrades, ratify 2 VP appointments

The board also ratified the appointments of two new vice presidents.

The three-year Harrison Hall project, in addition to adding sprinklers and air conditioning, also will update all student rooms. New closets and window sills will be installed, all rooms will be painted and damaged plaster will be repaired. Harrison houses 812 students in 406 rooms.

After construction is completed during the summer of 2011, all rooms will be air-conditioned, and the building's fire alarm system will be upgraded to support the sprinkler system.

John A. Sautter, vice president for housing and food services, said the project is part of University Residences' ongoing master plan to modernize its entire housing inventory to ensure that on-campus housing remains a safe and attractive option for decades to come.

"Because of the age of some of the buildings, they are beginning to show wear," Sautter said. "Replacing the closets, the doors and plaster, and adding air conditioning is part of an effort to modernize the living space, make it more attractive and remain competitive."

The hall will remain open during construction, which will take place in the summer. Advertising for bids will begin Dec. 4, with a bid opening planned for Jan. 8.

"We have a larger-scale plan, called the master sprinkling plan, to add sprinklers on a retrofitted basis to older buildings," said Tim Gennett, director of facilities for Housing and Food Services. "We will install a sprinkler system and adjust the fire alarm system to meet the needs of the Americans with Disabilities Act, mainly for the hearing-impaired.

"There is a demand for air conditioning, and this project will help us meet that demand."

University Residences repair and rehabilitation funds, generated from user fees, will pay for the work, and no tax dollars or university general fund money will be used.

The Harrison Hall renovation is part of a 14-year University Residences facilities master plan. This summer, a new dining court at Wiley Hall and the renovation of Wood Hall, a residence hall in the Windsor complex, were completed.

Since 2000, Cary Quadrangle has been completely renovated. Earhart, Ford and Windsor dining courts have been built or renovated, as have grills in Harrison Hall and Cary Quadrangle.

Construction on a new residence hall that will house 365 students is scheduled to be completed prior to the fall 2009 semester.

Also on Friday (Aug. 29), the board ratified the appointments of Teri Lucie Thompson as vice president for media and marketing and Robert McMains as vice president for physical facilities.

Thompson, who began her duties Aug. 11, had served as vice president of marketing for Safeco Insurance in Seattle. She succeeds Joseph L. Bennett, who retired in July.

As vice president for marketing and media, Thompson will oversee the communication of news and information about Purdue to both internal and external audiences in print, photo and video, and via a variety of Internet platforms; branding and advertising; the Purdue Web site; and community partnerships. The university relations area includes the University News Service, Purdue Marketing Communications, University Periodicals, Community Relations and Broadcast Services.

McMains, who is associate vice president of facilities management at Emory University, will begin his duties Oct. 1 as vice president of physical facilities. McMains succeeds Wayne W. Kjonaas, who retired last year. Joseph D. Mikesell has served as interim vice president for facilities since Aug. 27, 2007.

As vice president for physical facilities, McMains will be responsible for the operation, maintenance, planning and construction of campus lands and facilities on all four Purdue campuses. The vice president also oversees buildings and grounds, utilities, facilities planning and construction, the police and fire departments, radiological and environmental management, parking, transportation, the Purdue Airport, central machine shop, printing services, central stores, material receiving and distribution, and campus mail.

The vice president for physical facilities is responsible for 1,380 employees and 387 buildings.

In other business, the trustees on Friday also activated a foundation that had been dormant. Purdue Foundation Inc. will fill the role previously served by the Campaign Steering Committee that led Purdue to success in its recent $1.7 billion fund drive, said Murray Blackwelder, senior vice president for advancement.

"We anticipate that 30 to 40 friends and alumni of the university will be named to the foundation's development council, helping us maintain the momentum for our new Access and Success campaign," he said.

Writers: Greg McClure, (765) 494-9394, gmcclure@purdue.edu

Christy Jones, (765) 494-1089, christyjones@purdue.edu

Sources: John A. Sautter, (765) 494-1022, jasautter@purdue.edu

Tim Gennett, (765) 496-6364, tgennett@purdue.edu

Purdue News Service: (765) 494-2096; purduenews@purdue.edu

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