Dionte Berry
Editor-in-Chief
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After taking time to commemorate Murray State’s past and current centennial, the Board of Regents moved their focus to the future of the University,  concerning construction, housing and far more. 

Mayor Bob Rogers and Calloway County Judge Executive Kenneth Imes presented a joint proclamation recognizing the centennial. 

“It’s a pleasure for us to partner with Murray State,” Rogers said.  “You certainly are an integral part of our city and county … we will join your celebration of your 100th year anniversary.” 

The proclamation designated the week of March 8 as Murray State’s Centennial Celebration for Murray and all of Calloway County. The proclamation also  designated 2022 as a celebratory year for Murray State. 

Along with the centennial is Murray State’s second year in the COVID-19 pandemic, which has caused  college culture to deviate from its norm in order to safely operate. 

A resolution of appreciation and accommodation recognized the efforts of the administration, staff, faculty and students for working through the COVID-19 pandemic and  the December 2021 tornadoes.

Concerning the future of Murray State, more construction will be sprouting up around the University as other projects conclude.

The window replacements at Wilson and Wells Halls are set to conclude by the beginning of May. So far, 85% of the windows in Wells and 70% of the windows in Wilson have been installed.

“I know it has been a disruptive project for the faculty, staff and students, so we appreciate everyone’s patience,” Angela Lampe, the associate director of Facility Design and Construction said. 

Following the window replacements,  construction on the Chestnut Street bridge is set to begin this summer. 

Woods Hall, which housed international student services and study abroad program information, was demolished in 2018. The green space now in that location will become Woods Park.

The park’s designs were finalized and will feature walking paths, an amphitheater and a pavilion. 

Additionally, exterior lights have been added to Gilbert Graves Drive outside of Roy Stewart Stadium. Exterior lights also will be added to the science complex.

Along with the lighting updates, Lovett Auditorium is in phase two of renovations, focusing on window replacements and HVAC. 

State Funded Projects are part of the 2022-2028 Statewide Capital Improvements Plan. The concepts for a $45 million new Nursing Building have been unveiled.

“In the new building, we hope to see state-of-the-art clinical service centers and open classroom spaces,” Lampe said.

Both the Oakley Applied Science Building and Mason Hall are set to be renovated in order to be more accessible and meet the American Disabilities Act guidelines. 

“With Mason Hall … a person [who] is in a wheelchair has to take the long way around the building, up a ramp,” Lampe said. “Once they get inside, there is another wheelchair ramp and an elevator that needs repairs.”

Beyond accessibility renovations, they also are set to have HVAC repairs. Overall, the renovations for Mason Hall will cost nearly $8 million, and Oakley Applied Science will cost nearly $17 million.

The renovations and construction plans in the 2022-2028 Capital Plan were unanimously approved by the Board. 

On the residential side of Murray State, more information concerning the housing redesign with the public private partnership (P3) has been unveiled. 

Along with Regents and R.H. White Colleges, Hart College is also set to be replaced. As of right now, the plan has been split into phases.

The first phase of construction will be two residential halls able to house 300 residents each and a new dining hall to replace Winslow Dining Hall. 

Phase two, which is not yet outlined, will be concerned with what may happen to Regents and R.H. White Colleges. 

“Originally, one of our thoughts was that Regents and White are older buildings,” Executive Director of Auxiliary Services David Looney said. “They’re kind of there, but when we started thinking of this concept about replacing Hart, we were not quite ready to make a decision regarding Regents and White.” 

The two residential colleges planned for phase one will be located to the north of Hart. 

Housing rates for the new buildings have yet to be determined and will be announced at a later date. 

Concerning the P3 project, a finalized partnership has not yet been made. 

The Board moved on to highlighting Racer Athletics’ competitive success and coach contracts. 

A resolution was unanimously passed commemorating the women’s track and field and cross country teams on becoming 2022 OVC champions. 

Resolutions of acknowledgement and appreciation were passed, recognizing the achievements of the men’s and women’s basketball teams. Both coaches and star players were recognized. 

The contracts of women’s basketball Head Coach Rechelle Turner and Assistant Coaches Monica Evans, Amber Guffey and Sarah Jones were also a topic of discussion.

“Under the leadership of Coach Rechelle Turner, our student athletes have grown in every area, as students, people, athletes and professionals, which is our core values we like to teach,” Associate Athletic Director of Business and Resource Operations Scott Barhart said. 

Turner’s contract was extended through March 31, 2026, and Evans’, Guffey’s and Jones’ contracts were extended through March 31, 2023.  

The Board also began looking at  Kentucky’s current legislative session, how Murray State may be affected by circulating legislation and the University’s state-funded budget. 

Jordan Smith, the executive director of Government and Institutional Relations, said around 120 proposed bills may impact higher education, which shows how higher education is at the forefront of this year’s legislative session. 

“The current Senate budget that was passed this week has our base appropriation for the first fiscal year at $46.6 million and for the second fiscal year at $49.6 million,” Smith said. 

The Marketing Committee followed and presented on the activities commemorating the centennial. 

Along with the centennial-based events, traditional events have been “centennialized,” such as All Campus Sing, Commencement and Homecoming.

Further events, solely for the centennial, are the Centennial Awards Luncheon, the Centennial Gala, the production of a centennial podcast and the soon-to-be-published book co-written by President Bob Jackson about Murray State’s history. 

More information about events surrounding the Centennial Celebration and pieces of Murray State’s history can be found at murraystate.edu/centennial. 

At the conclusion of the meeting, Murray State policies were updated concerning both bereavement leave and paid parental leave. 

Bereavement leave was expanded to include grandparents, grandchildren and foster children. 

Paid parental leave is set for six weeks but can be extended to 12 weeks concerning adoption and childbirth. 

More information concerning the structural changes to Murray State will be discussed at the Spring Quarterly Board of Regents meeting on June 3.