Acquatic research, bicentennial student center, miscellaneous fees featured at trustee meeting

Miami University trustees today (April 23) approved miscellaneous fees for the 2010-2011 academic year. The majority of fees are unchanged, such as staff parking fees and facility fees charged to students. Some that increase are student blue parking permits, up $10 to $110/semester and the Miami Metro fee, up $6 to $66 per semester. Tuition rates for 2010-2011 will be approved at the board’s June meeting. 

Representatives of Miami’s Center for Aquatic and Watershed Sciences (CAWS), a candidate for an Ohio Center of Excellence, informed the board of research and partnerships in the CAWS that position Miami to contribute significantly to ecological and industrial water projects in the state and elsewhere. There are 37 undergraduates, 21 graduate students and 7 research fellows working with 16 faculty in 13 departments on research including sampling watershed water quality, testing low temperature algae for potential biofuels and developing applications for advanced instrumentation techniques. 

Trustees approved a resolution indicating the intent to issue bonds for potential constructing, rehabilitating and equipping various university facilities. The resolution does not authorize the university to issue additional bonds but does provide for capital expenditures paid prior to a future bond issue to be reimbursed should additional bonds be authorized. 

Trustees confirmed the appointment of G. Michael Pratt as new dean of the regional campusesand professor of anthropology and approved promotion and/or tenure for two faculty members. 

Barbara Jones, vice president for student affairs, updated the trustees on the plans for a Bicentennial Student Center (BSC). The BSC will be constructed in two phases, and will be able to house far more student organization space, a meeting room to hold 900 people, 24/7 food service and many other accommodations and amenities to support student life and co-curricular activities. 

In other action, trustees: 

• approved changing the name of women’s studies to women’s, gender and sexuality studies
• authorized Vice President David Creamer to seek state grant money for airport improvements 
• approved an amended endowment investment policy.