Arkansas Tech University will move forward with plans to construct a new agricultural education laboratory building on its Russellville campus following approval by the ATU Board of Trustees during its meeting on Thursday, Feb. 15.
According to a memorandum presented to the board by Laury Fiorello, ATU vice president for administration and finance, the new building would be approximately 1,980 square feet and would house welding equipment, a tool storage area and other equipment. It would be located on the Tech Farm, adjacent to the ATU Greenhouses and the Dr. James “Jim” Collins Agriculture Classroom.
Estimated cost to construct the facility is $450,000. Funding would come from the educational and general fund, but it is possible that private donations could ultimately cover the cost of constructing the building.
“The (ATU) Foundation has a campaign to reimburse Russellville’s educational and general funding sources with various donations,” wrote Fiorello in the memorandum. “As receipts are accepted, the (ATU) Foundation agrees to forward donated proceeds to reimburse the general funds transferred.”
In other business on Thursday, the ATU Board of Trustees approved:
*a letter of notification changing the name of the ATU Department of Emergency Management, Professional Studies and Student Affairs Administration to the ATU School of Professional and Community Education;
*a letter of notification changing the name of the student affairs administration graduate degree program to higher education and student affairs;
*a letter of notification changing the name of the organizational development and leadership undergraduate degree program to organizational leadership and learning;
*a letter of notification changing the name of the emergency administration and management undergraduate degree program to emergency management and homeland security;
*a letter of notification reorganizing the departments in the ATU College of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics into the ATU Department of Biological and Earth Sciences and the ATU Department of Mathematical and Physical Sciences;
*a letter of notification changing the name of the Bachelor of Science degree in geology to the Bachelor of Science degree in geosciences with options in environmental, emerging resources and professional;
*a transfer from athletics fund balance of an amount not to exceed $47,000 to complete the installation of new artificial turf at the Chartwells Women’s Sports Complex softball field;
*development of an athletics facilities master plan;
*commitment of $378,209 in educational and general funds as a grant match to fund proposed renovations to the Techionery building;
*signatory authority for the ATU president or ATU vice president for administration and finance to sign real estate closing documents related to previously approved easements along Prairie Creek to the City of Russellville;
*meal plan rates for the 2024-25 fiscal year, which reflect a 9 percent increase as compared to 2023-24 rates;
*daily summer 2024 conference rates for ATU housing facilities, which represent an increase of $5.64 per day as compared to summer 2023;
*a summer student housing discount program designed to enhance summer school affordability and incentivize students to take summer courses;
*and summer renovation and landscaping projects at ATU housing facilities Nutt Hall, Paine Hall, Wilson Hall and Jones Hall in the amount of $260,000.
In personnel matters, the ATU Board of Trustees approved hiring the following full-time employees:
*Hailey Addison, coordinator for events and family engagement in admissions, effective Feb. 1, 2024; Dr. Crystal Ahrens, assistant professor of agriculture, effective Jan. 10, 2024; Sunday Alexander, fiscal support specialist, effective Nov. 13, 2023; Alexis Bell, administrative specialist III, effective Dec. 1, 2023; Audra Bradley, scholarship administrator for advancement, effective Sept. 1, 2023; Aaron “Marty” Duvall, public safety officer, effective Nov. 6, 2023; Stephen Fletcher, public safety officer, effective Nov. 13, 2023; Marana Fulmer-Gale, ATU-Ozark Student Success Center coordinator, effective Jan. 16, 2024; Traci Halstead, fiscal support analyst, effective Jan. 19, 2024; Sarah Henry, financial aid specialist, effective Jan. 2, 2024; Jordan Nagel, business manager, effective Jan. 8, 2024; Whitney Parsons, ATU-Ozark Career Pathways Initiative counselor and student advisor, effective Jan. 16, 2024; Olivia Rowe, transfer coordinator in admissions, effective Jan. 2, 2024; Dr. Adolfo Santos, executive vice president for academic affairs and provost, effective March 4, 2024; Ashley Sheridan, senior designer for marketing, effective Dec. 4, 2023; and Melissa South, coordinator of alumni engagement, effective Nov. 1, 2023.
The following promotions were approved by the board:
*Evalisabeth Garcia Diazbarriga, from human resources part-time assistant to human resources specialist, effective Jan. 1, 2024; Sarah Garner, from grants accountant to post-award grants manager, effective Jan. 1, 2024; Andrew Gillispie, from administrative specialist II to computer support technician, effective March 1, 2024; Daniel Hutcherson, from skilled tradesman to skilled trades supervisor in carpentry, effective Jan. 2, 2024; Kim McKown, from human resources program representative to human resources generalist, effective Jan. 1, 2024; and Whitney Moore, from human resources specialist to human resources program representative, effective Jan. 1, 2024.
The board accepted resignations from the following ATU employees:
*Meighan Burke, assistant dean for student transition, effective Jan. 5, 2024; Paul Chiolino, public safety officer, effective Dec. 31, 2023; Stacy Galbo, assistant dean for student conduct/Title IX coordinator and investigator, effective Jan. 23, 2024; Nancy Horton, university instructor of mathematics, effective Jan. 8, 2024; Randall Howell, skilled tradesman, effective Jan. 12, 2024; Alfredo Ramirez Jr., fiscal support analyst, effective Nov. 30, 2023; Tanessa Robinson, administrative specialist III, effective Jan. 3, 2024; and Dr. Suresh Subedi, assistant professor of biology, effective Jan. 3, 2024.
ATU trustees approved a request for retirement by Dr. Dana Ward, professor of Spanish, effective May 11, 2024. Ward has served on the ATU faculty since 1988.
