Regents approve plans for new health center at SWT

Date of release: 02/22/02

SAN MARCOS, TEXAS — The Texas State University System Board of Regents Friday approved preliminary plans for a new $5.4 million Student Health Center to be constructed at Southwest Texas State University.

The board, meeting in Huntsville on the campus of Sam Houston State University, approved plans prepared by the San Antonio architectural firm Garza Bomberger Inc.

Approval means university officials may proceed with final plans and seek competitive bids for the construction project. Construction could begin in December. It will be located at the northeast corner of Sessom Drive and Student Center Drive. The Student Health Center is currently housed in the university’s Health Science Building, and it shares space there with departments in the SWT College of Health Professions. Construction of a separate facility for the health center will allow the College of Health Professions to expand into the vacated space.

The Student Health Center provides health care, prevention and health education services for SWT students. It employs full-time physicians, nurses, a health educator and administrative staff and includes a laboratory, x-ray services and a pharmacy.

The regents also approved preliminary plans submitted by the Austin architectural firm Graeber, Simmons and Cowan for a $2.6 million renovation of Strahan Coliseum. The project includes an addition to the coliseum to house the Athletics Department administrative offices.

The regents also authorized the university to issue a request for proposals to install artificial turf at Bobcat Stadium and for the design and installation of a new track surface at the stadium. Both projects are to be completed during the summer at a total cost not to exceed $995,000.

In other SWT related action, the board:

  • Authorized the university to take bids for the renovation of the fifth floor of the Math-Computer Science Building. The cost of the project is not to exceed $675,000.
  • Authorized the university to take bids and issue purchase orders for furniture and equipment for the new end zone complex at Bobcat Stadium, at a cost not to exceed $431,747.
  • Accepted as complete the Wetlands Project at Aquarena Center, the campus signage project, renovations to the Academic Services Building South, the LBJ Student Center parking garage expansion and the southeast utilities project.
  • Acknowledged gifts to the university of $10,000 or more.
    • Capstone of San Marcos donated land valued at $5.1 million for student housing, commuter parking, recreational fields and a new central receiving warehouse.
    • The Roy F. and Joann Cole Mitte Foundation contributed $249,215 in support of the spring 2002 Mitte Scholars program.
    • The Albert and Margaret Alkek Foundation donated $100,000 in support of the library technology and faculty technology development programs.
    • The university received $98,704 from the estate of Lois Blaney to establish scholarships in criminal justice and health sciences.
    • The university received a gift-in-kind donation valued at $60,624 from Graeber, Simmons and Cowan for the Wetlands Walk project.
    • Lake/Flato Architects made a gift-in-kind donation valued at $48,860 for the Wetlands Walk project.
    • Ortho Sports donated a Strive weight training set valued at $38,000 to the SWT Physical Therapy Department.
    • Sara Hess Roney of the IOA Legacy group donated $34,000 to create an electronic visual documentary on theater director Paul Baker.
    • Gloria Walts contributed $24,597 in stock to increase the Robert Walts Scholarship in English.
    • The Texas Historical Commission donated books on Texas archaeology valued at $20,000.
    • Mr. and Mrs. David Anenson donated $20,000 to establish the Leif Anenson Geography Scholarship.
    • Sac-N-Pac Stores contributed $15,000 in support of the new athletic facility at SWT.
    • An anonymous donor contributed $12,000 to establish the Anthropology Scholarship Fund.
    • The Kelly Air Force Base Federal Managers Association contributed $10,454 for the SWT Public Managers Program.
    • Michael R. Young donated $10,000 for geography scholarships.
    • The Azadoutioun Foundation contributed $10,000 for the Southwestern Writers Collection.
    • Lawrence A. Pande Jr. donated five lots in Hays County valued at $67,500. The funds generated from the sale of the lots will go toward the Jerome H. and Catherine E. Supple Endowed Professorship fund.
  • Set room and board rates for fiscal year 2003.
  • Approved out-of-country study programs for summer 2002 in Germany, Mexico, Spain and England.
  • Receive12th class day reports and approved routine course fees, budget adjustments and personnel matters.

The Texas State University System includes Angelo State University in San Angelo, Lamar University in Beaumont, Lamar Institute of Technology in Beaumont, Lamar State College-Orange, Lamar State College-Port Arthur, Sam Houston State University in Huntsville, SWT, Sul Ross State University in Alpine and Sul Ross State University Rio Grande College with centers in Uvalde, Del Rio and Eagle Pass.

Members of the nine-member board are Dionicio “Don” Flores of El Paso, chair; John P. Hageman of Austin, vice chair; Kent Adams of Beaumont; Patricia Diaz Dennis of San Antonio; Alan W. Dreeben of Schertz; James A. “Jimmy” Hayley of Texas City; Nancy R. Neal of Lubbock; Pollyanna A. Stephens of San Angelo; and James L. Sweatt III of DeSoto. Chancellor Lamar Urbanovsky manages the system office in Austin.