Minutes of Meeting

CAMPUS SPACE AND FACILITIES COMMITTEE
Meinecke Board Room – Memorial Union
Friday, September 29, 2006 3:00 pm

Committee Members Present: John Adams, Craig Schnell, Emili Carlson, Verlin Hinsz, Amy Uthus, Joseph Latimer, Tim Singelmann, Cindy Urness, Dean Gross, Marcelo Carena, Kristi Wold-McCormick, Bruce Frantz, Paul Gleye, Don Hanson

Committee Members Absent: Kim Bromley, Kathleen Slobin, Ray Boyer

Others Present: Michael Harwood, Kevin Schindlbeck, Gina Haugen

John Adams, VP for Business and Finance/CSFC Chair, called the meeting to order. Introductions were made. VP Adams asked if there were any additions or corrections to the April 22, 2005, minutes. There were none, so a motion was made by Bruce Frantz and seconded by VP Schnell to accept the minutes as written. Motion passed.

FUNCTION OF THE COMMITTEE/REVIEW OF POLICIES (John Adams)
VP Adams noted that the CSFC policies have not been updated since 1993. Since he is new to the campus and to the committee, he inquired if any changes should be made to any of the items. A question was posed by Amy Uthus, student representative, about parking. The NDSU parking brochure states that lots, such as the visitor lot, are free after 4:30 pm; however, another notice that students received stated that they are NOT free for events such as Redhawks games. Bruce Frantz responded that incorrect information was received so the current parking brochure conflicts with the policy and will be corrected.

Other recommended changes to current policies were: NDSU Policy 715 – amend the VP for Academic Affairs title to include Provost; change any references to Physical Plant on the website to Facilities Management.

BUILDING SIGNS (John Adams)
Signage on NDSU buildings has been a common practice in the past, and President Chapman would like to see it continue in the future. Since NDSU policy does not specifically prohibit it, the President would like to see signage on Research II identifying it as a university building. He would also like something on the south side of the Music Education building identifying it, too. There are plans for a major reconstruction of 12th Avenue in the near future, so it has been suggested that signage for Music Ed be postponed until completion of the project. This is because the terrain of the area may change during the construction.

Don Hanson gave the committee members a history of the current signs on campus. The CSFC decided that the names posted on the buildings were too difficult for visitors to read so the green and gold signs containing the respective buildings’ names were placed in front of each building. That practice was then amended to include major departments located in the building on each sign for ease of identification.

Discussion followed on the architectural discipline for campus signage and its consistency throughout campus. It was agreed that any signage changes should be carefully considered before implementation because of the importance to the identity of the campus – buildings along 12th and 19th Avenues and 18th Street and University Drive are highly visible to the public. Provost Schnell commented that he visited two larger campuses this past summer and NDSU’s signs are far superior to those located on the other campuses. VP Adams said that he appreciates the green and gold signs at NDSU because he is new to campus, and they help him identify areas.

BUILDING NAMING PROCESS (John Adams)
Provost Schnell addressed the issue of the Wellness Center name change request this past spring. Because there was an interim Vice President for Business and Finance and a search for his successor occurring at that time, the spring meeting of the CSFC was postponed. The requests for the Wellness Center and the F Court Apartment Building name changes were student generated, and with pressure from administrative areas to proceed with the requests, they were submitted to the State Board of Higher Education without the ratification of the full committee. Several members opposed the fact that the committee didn’t meet to discuss the proposals, nor were current CSFC procedures followed. Questions arose about the appropriateness of the naming process. Do interior rooms in buildings need Board approval to be named after a person? Provost Schnell indicated that they do not. VP Adams suggested that the Space Subcommittee review the process and make any suggestions/recommendations to the full committee at a future meeting. VP Adams also proposed that the CSFC meet at least twice during each semester with additional meetings being called to discuss items prior to them becoming issues, rather than waiting until after the fact. Committee members were agreeable to this.

Provost Schnell then made the motion that the committee ratify the Wellness Center name change to the Wallman Wellness Center and the F Court Apartment building to Maynard C. Niskanen Apartments. Amy Uthus seconded it and discussion followed on the appropriateness of the names. It was felt that the namesakes represent their respective areas very well during their tenure on campus. Motion passed.

Kristi Wold-McCormick asked if either of the newly purchased downtown buildings would be available for use next semester. If so, Registration and Records would need classroom names/numbers by February in order to get them into the class scheduling process. Both Bruce Frantz and VP Adams indicated that they would not be ready for spring semester 2007 but that they may be ready for fall 2007. VP Adams is to take this matter to the President’s Cabinet so that they are aware of the process.

REVIEW OF UNIVERSITY PARKING FUNDS (Bruce Frantz)
NDSU parking fund information: Bruce discussed the NDSU Parking Funds information sent out to the committee. Revenues ($885,000) minus expenses ($390,000) are projected to reach $495,000 for FY07. In the past, parking was part of Campus Police’s responsibilities but was subsequently moved to Facilities Management with the formation of the new department University Police and Safety Office (UP&SO). Positions that were formerly funded in Campus Police have been replaced with new positions in Facilities Management for ticketing, permit sales, and administration.

Parking operating expenses were also discussed. Equipment expense amounts in 2008 and 2009 were noted. Bruce indicated that they are for items and software needed to integrate the current T2 parking system software with PeopleSoft and with the City of Fargo’s software. Tickets written on campus are sent to the City of Fargo for processing; NDSU retains 60% of the revenue from the tickets with 40% going to the City for administration costs. The City may be implementing the T2 parking system in the future, so interfacing between them and the campus should be easier. Michael Harwood inquired on the substantial increase in operating costs from FY06 to FY07. Bruce indicated that this was largely due to the implementation of the T2 parking system. The increasing amounts in FY08 and FY09 are projected costs for snow removal, fuel, and labor. Figures from the past four years were averaged and applied to these years with an inflation factor. Marcelo Carena stated that he hoped that the campus would be as conservative as possible so that parking permit prices can be reduced for students in the future. Bruce said parking permit prices are fixed until 2008 but that a possible tiered structure for permit fees according to where one parks is being considered.

Parking lot construction costs: Construction costs for campus parking lots was then discussed. The parking information shows that $1.5 million is earmarked for construction in FY07. The slated projects include a total rehabilitation of the east side of HR Lot, T2, and the Pay Lot. Bids will be let in February when petroleum costs are typically lower. The rise in petroleum costs is the reason for the high cost of construction. Bids for work done in summer 2006 came in at four times the amount estimated, so repairs versus replacement were done on HR, AD, Morrill and the Pay Lot.

Downtown Campus parking situation: Amy Uthus had questions concerning the Downtown Campus parking. She asked what had been discussed and what had been tried with the area merchants because parking is a problem for the students there. Bruce stated that there are only 24 parking places adjacent to the building. The recently acquired downtown buildings, however, have a large footprint for parking so this may help with the existing building’s situation; however, if the College of Business moves downtown, some of the space may be consumed by an addition to the Pioneer building for the college. An additional shuttle or bus route has also been discussed. Amy indicated that there is a pay lot near the Downtown Campus that consistently has three rows of parking spaces available, although the lot requires paid parking in the evening, too. Bruce said that the original plan was students could park in the lot after 5:00 p.m. Paul Gleye stated that Josef’s uses the lot a couple of evenings during the week until later so the lot is staffed. Amy said that the City has increased ticket prices and issues many of them in that area, so the merchants may be happy to have the students parking in lots rather than in front of their business places. Could the University work with the City to obtain permits for the students? VP Adams suggested that the University talk to the City about this lot to see what options might be available.

CAMPUS UPDATES (Bruce Frantz)
12 Avenue North expansion: The committee received a PowerPoint handout from a recent meeting with the Department of Transportation concerning 12th Avenue. DOT plans are to widen the avenue, add lighting, fencing, and plantings along it, and include an additional traffic lane to the viaduct. The first phase of the project, widening 12th between 18th Street and 10th Street, will occur as early as possible in spring 2008. This will greatly impact the campus in terms of infrastructure, sidewalks, and mature trees on the north side of the street, but the DOT hopes to have this stretch reopened by August 1. The second phase will encompass adding the additional lane to the viaduct. During this process, traffic will be reduced to one lane each way. Shuttles may be utilized or park-and-ride may be initiated to accommodate NDSU needs and concerns. This portion of the project will take up to two years to complete.

Bison Herd on the Prairie: NDSU is the home of one of the members of the Bison Herd on the Prairie – a competition between local artists held this past summer. Don Larew, Division of Fine Arts, contributed his bison to the university and it was placed near the Babbling Brook for a short time until it was vandalized, relocated, and then vandalized again. Bruce reported that it is currently in storage and asked committee members for their suggestions on a new safe location for the sculpture. Some suggestions were the Bison Sports Arena, the Memorial Union, the atrium in Festival Hall, and the Butte Lounge in the Memorial Union when it’s completed. Verlin Hinsz stated that he thought that the Memorial Union would be an appropriate location because it is a student-oriented building. Don Hanson also liked the idea of it being located in the Reinecke Fine Arts Center. No decision was made on its permanent home.

First annual Vision Award: President Chapman and NDSU were recently awarded with the first annual Vision Award by the City of Fargo Planning Commission. The award was given in appreciation for landscape enhancements made to the campus, such as the reopening of the campus gates, the horticulture gardens, the hanging baskets, the babbling brook, etc. Bruce asked for suggestions on where the award (a large rock inscribed with “Fargo Vision Award to NDSU for Landscape Enhancements from Fargo Planning Commission 2006”) should be placed. Suggestions made were in the center circle of the campus gate’s walkway, by other main rocks on campus, directly outside of Old Main, and the NDSU flowerbed on the south side of campus near 18th Street and 12th Avenue. Marcelo Carena suggested that the Architecture Department be contacted for ideas; Bruce also suggested contacting the Arboretum Committee.

Campus Projects:

Memorial Union – progressing well; new upstairs ballroom, west entry, food courts should be open by spring semester; difficult aspect of the project with the occupied portion of the building; administrative offices and second floor will be gutted next; project will have tremendous impact on the building during this next year.
Bison Sports Arena – TL Stroh Architects has been hired; in programming process; new addition to south side of current building; renovation to current building with new basketball arena and indoor track possible; also administration area with relocation of the weight room to the ground level.
Wellness Center Addition – opening scheduled for fall 2007; renovation of locker room and daycare center by December 2007.
College of Business – potential relocation to currently acquired downtown buildings but determination needs to be made soon so can begin renovations for fall 2008 occupancy; funding through capital campaign.
Stockbridge Hall – new, pitched roof; change in building character now that all building roofs in its area are also pitched; thanks to Residence Life for the extra funding to make this happen; roof contains eight new dormers to complete the look.
Materials Storage Facility – facility will handle all chemicals coming into or out of campus; location will be on west end of Centennial Boulevard on the west side of 18th Street; currently in programming/design development; want to bid before frost and legislative session begin; first state bonded project for NDSU in many years; better control of chemicals for state and federal compliance.
Dennis Colliton Memorial – project completed; rock with inscription and dedication planned for 2007 Homecoming.

OTHER BUSINESS
Marcelo Carena stated that he would like to see the committee put into university planning principles improvement of the surrounding neighborhoods and the campus’ association with those neighborhoods. Provost Schnell indicated that there are plans for upscale condos in the area, so planning is being implemented.

VP Adams suggested that the committee meet again in about a month.

With no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 4:15 p.m.

Respectively submitted,

Gina Haugen

Gina Haugen
Recording Secretary