The Arkansas Tech University Board of Trustees approved a contract during its meeting on Thursday that will maintain Chartwells as the food service provider for the institution.
The contract has an initial term of two years from July 2015-July 2017. It may be renewed in increments of one or two years for a period of time not to exceed seven years.
Arkansas Tech processed a request for proposal for potential food service providers during the spring 2015 semester. Representatives from ARAMARK and Sodexo joined representatives from Chartwells in attending a pre-bid and walk through meeting, but Chartwells was the only contractor to submit a proposal to provide food service at Arkansas Tech.
The contract awarded on Thursday calls for Chartwells to provide food service on both the Russellville and Ozark campuses of Arkansas Tech.
In a related agenda item on Thursday, trustees approved meal plan rates for students on the main campus of Arkansas Tech in Russellville for the 2015-16 academic year.
The meal plan structure will provide those students living on campus with three options: unlimited meals in Chambers Cafeteria and $150 in declining balance for $1,404 per semester (meal plan A); 210 meals in Chambers Cafeteria and $150 in declining balance for $1,354 per semester (meal plan B); or 150 meals in Chambers Cafeteria and $150 in declining balance for $1,302 per semester (meal plan C).
Arkansas Tech students in Russellville who live off campus may also select from three meal plans: 65 meals in Chambers Cafeteria and $100 in declining balance for $535 per semester (meal plan D); 40 meals in Chambers Cafeteria and $100 in declining balance for $385 per semester (meal plan E); or $500 in declining balance (meal plan F).
Declining balance may be used in auxiliary food service locations on campus, including Baswell Techionery and Doc’s Place.
Trustees also took action on Thursday regarding a planned renovation to Wilson Residence Hall. The facility was constructed from 1910-13 and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. It has a housing capacity of 164 students.
The board approved issuance of a contract in the amount of $2.85 million to Western Millwright Services Inc. to renovate Wilson Residence Hall — including the installation of central heat and air, a new hot water system, interior water sprinklers, a new fire alarm system, wireless Internet, interior facility renovations and storm windows — with funding coming from grants through the Arkansas Natural and Cultural Resources Council and the sale of revenue bonds.
Wilson Residence Hall will receive new furnishings during the renovation, bringing the total cost of the project to $4.17 million. The facility will be closed during the 2015-16 academic year and is scheduled to re-open in fall 2016.
In other business on Thursday, the Arkansas Tech Board of Trustees approved:
*issuance of a contract in the amount of $348,490 to Western Millwright Services Inc. for painting all interior surfaces and installing new floor covering in common areas in Nutt Residence Hall;
*issuance of contracts in the amount of $333,000 to EWI Inc., $476,950 to Western Millwright Services Inc. and $233,700 to EWI Inc. for the installation of new fire protection systems in, respectively, Brown Residence Hall, Caraway Residence Hall and South Residence Hall;
*replacement of the equipment in the university computer center at a cost of $1.7 million, with funding coming from the sale of revenue bonds;
*retirement of the $1,324,727 bond issue related to the former Campus Court student housing property by utilizing proceeds from the sale of the land ($1,078,067), debt service reserve funds ($51,287) and university educational and general fund cash ($195,373);
*continuation of the contract banking services agreement between Arkansas Tech and Centennial Bank;
*and initiation of the architect selection process for two potential new facilities at Arkansas Tech — a stand-alone student recreation facility and a multipurpose athletics facility that would provide locker rooms and offices for the baseball program as well as indoor practice space that could be utilized by the baseball, softball, men’s golf and women’s golf programs.
In personnel matters, the contract of Dr. Robin E. Bowen, president, was extended for an additional year.
The board approved five changes in assignment related to a forthcoming redesign of the Arkansas Tech College of Education under the leadership of Dr. Mary Gunter. She was approved during the May 2015 board meeting to serve as dean of the College of Education as of July 1, 2015, in addition to her current duties as dean of the Graduate College and professor of educational leadership.
These changes are also effective July 1, 2015:
*Dr. Linda Bean, from associate professor of business to interim associate dean of the College of Education and associate professor of business;
*Dr. David Bell, from head of the Department of Curriculum and Instruction and professor of curriculum and instruction to head of Educator Licensure and Support Services and professor of curriculum and instruction;
*Dr. Tim Carter, from professor of curriculum and instruction to interim head of the Department of Curriculum and Instruction and professor of curriculum and instruction;
*Dr. Annette Holeyfield, from head of the Department of Health and Physical Education and professor of health and physical education to director of the College of Education Partnership Office and professor of health and physical education;
*and Dr. Rockie Pederson, from associate professor of health and physical education to interim head of the Department of Health and Physical Education and associate professor of health and physical education.
Dr. Ricky L. Massengale Sr. was hired by the board as associate vice president for university initiatives and professor of computer and information science effective July 1, 2015. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree from Arkansas Tech, a Master of Business Administration degree from Webster University and Doctor of Philosophy degree from the University of Arkansas at Little Rock.
Trustees hired Dr. Douglas Neal Barlow to serve as dean of the College of Engineering and Applied Sciences and professor of engineering effective Sept. 1, 2015. Barlow earned a Bachelor of Science degree from the U.S. Air Force Academy, a Master of Science degree from the University of Washington and a Doctor of Philosophy degree from Arizona State University.
Dr. William Hoefler Jr., who is the current dean of the College of Engineering and Applied Sciences, was approved to return to full-time faculty status as professor of agriculture during the March 2015 Arkansas Tech Board of Trustees meeting. He will maintain the duties of dean through Aug. 31, 2015.
The following new faculty members were hired for the 2015-16 academic year:
*Dr. Michael Brodrick, assistant professor of philosophy; Dr. Michael G. Davis, assistant professor of geology; Micah D. Hicks, assistant professor of English; Alexis Johnson, assistant professor of communication; Tennille Lasker-Scott, assistant professor of professional studies; Rejina Manandhar, assistant professor of emergency management; Jamie J. McDougal, visiting instructor of health and physical education; Dr. Ekong Peters, visiting assistant professor of emergency management;
Dr. Rajendra Shrestha was hired as assistant professor of physics for the spring 2016 semester.
Trustees approved hiring the following full-time staff members:
*Sara Bradberry, director of graduate support services, effective June 16, 2015; Eli Fuentez, academic advisor, for the 2015-16 academic year; Tanya Martin, career advisor for Arkansas Tech-Ozark Campus, effective July 1, 2015; Kaci Nally, project/program specialist in adult education for Arkansas Tech Ozark-Campus, effective July 1, 2015;
The board accepted the resignations of the following personnel:
*Dr. Rosemary A. Burk, visiting assistant professor of biology, effective June 9, 2015; Kyle Bush, assessment specialist, effective June 19, 2015; Ashley Gattis, workforce education faculty in practical nursing at Arkansas Tech-Ozark Campus, effective Aug. 7, 2015; Eric T. Kremers, assistant professor of emergency management, effective May 27, 2015; Douglas Samson, programmer, effective June 30, 2015; Dr. Rachael E. Urbanek, assistant professor of wildlife science, effective July 2, 2015; and Dr. Melinda A. Wilkins, professor and director of health information management, effective Aug. 8, 2015.
Trustees accepted the retirements of Dr. Kevin Costley, associate professor of curriculum and instruction, effective May 28, 2015; and Dr. Sid Womack, professor of curriculum and instruction, effective June 30, 2015. Costley joined the Arkansas Tech faculty in 2003, while Womack has been a member of the Tech faculty since 1986.