MSU Board of Trustees to hold 1st fall meeting

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The MSU Board of Trustees will kick off the year at its first meeting today, discussing future plans for the university as it continues to deal with a tight budget.

The board is scheduled to meet at 9:30 a.m. in room 401 of the Administration Building.

Dining experience

The Trustee Finance Committee will recommend the board authorize plans for the Residential and Hospitality Services’ dining master plan.

The goal is to update dining facilities across campus, said Vennie Gore, assistant vice president for the MSU Division of Housing and Food Services.

“In five years we’ll be completely different than we are now,” he said. “I think it meets what today’s students want.”

If planning is approved, Case Hall will be the next project for the division, with plans for completion in Fall 2011. Gore said he expects the board to authorize planning for the project.

Implementation of the entire plan is expected to take seven to eight years.

Dining facilities at Brody Complex currently are undergoing renovations as part of the master plan, Gore said.

Construction

Transforming space inside Anthony Hall might become a reality if the board votes to proceed with a project including alternations to rooms in the hall.

A budget for the project of $2.5 million must also be approved for plans to move forward.

Brian Mullen, a planner, inspector and analyst for engineering and architectural services at MSU said the project’s price tag isn’t very different from others on campus.

“It’s a project cost as opposed to strict construction costs,” he said.

Empty space in Anthony Hall’s third floor attic might be used to house the Institute of Cyber-Enabled Research, or ICER, which promotes cyber-enabled research at MSU.

After completed construction, the space could include restrooms and private offices for ICER research, Mullen said.

Construction is planned to begin October 2009 with final completion by August 2011.

Contracts

MSU could experience greater revenue sharing and profits if the board approves the amendment of a contract with AFID Therapeutics Inc., a bioeconomy company, housed at an MSU-owned facility in Holland, Mich.

The company uses lab space and facilities at the Holland location. If the board approves the amendment, MSU will generate more revenue for each project that utilizes AFID’s facilities.

“What it means is that it’s better for MSU because they will see a better revenue stream … an increase per unit-product that passes through the facility,” said Rawle Hollingsworth, owner of AFID and MSU biochemistry and microbiology professor.

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