Regents halt new library discussion

Meghann Anderson
Staff writer

Discussions of a new library were brought to a halt at the March 2 Board of Regents meeting, after more than six months of debate on the part of administrators and Student Government Association senators.

Five blueprints lined the conference table where the Regents met in Pogue Library. President Randy Dunn had planned to give a presentation promoting the new library project but Board members told Dunn they thought it was best if he held off the presentation.

Stephen Williams, chair of the Finance Committee, said the consideration of the library will be suspended indefinitely. Any pursuit or activities to help finance this project will also be suspended until the Board knows more about the project and the timing, both internally and externally.

Dunn said he was somewhat disappointed by the action because it shut off an avenue for funding of the library, new facility or any other project. … Continue Reading

CPE sends projects list to legislature

Ed Marlowe
Staff writer

Kentucky General Assembly convened on Jan. 3 to discuss the 2012-14 state education needs and to review a list of statewide campus renovations and improvements compiled and submitted by the Council for Postsecondary Education.

On Nov. 15, the CPE refined a list of capital construction and legislative priorities created by Kentucky’s universities for the KGA to review and dictate the importance of the CPE’s inquiries.

Should KGA approve the list of priorities, Murray State University, which proposed a list of desired improvements to the CPE in November, would be in line to receive funding for campus expansions and renovations as early as May 2012.

Based on a specific set of criteria created by President Randy Dunn and the University Board of Regents, a list of projects was created in order of importance, tabled and then voted on before being sent to the CPE for further evaluation and eventual submission to the KGA. … Continue Reading

SGA postpones new library project vote

Meghann Anderson
Staff writer

The leaders of the Student Government Association ended its weekly meeting on Wednesday by telling members they would not be voting on the proposed library student fee.

Betsy Banks, SGA vice president, said the vote would not be discussed again until next spring.

Jeremiah Johnson, president, said the executive council met with administrators and decided to hold off on making a decision.

“I think they made the right move on holding off on the vote,” Johnson said. “I think some things needed to be thought over.”

Johnson said President Randy Dunn’s office has been flooded with questions from SGA members and other students on campus who want to know more about the library. … Continue Reading

SGA tables student library fee topic

Meghann Anderson
Staff writer

Ryan Richardson/The News

The Student Government Association voted Wednesday at its weekly meeting to table legislation that would send the proposed idea of the new library and student fee to the Board of Regents.

Before debate closed, SGA President Jeremiah Johnson gaveled down further debate to be held at next week’s meeting.

Johnson moved to require a 25 percent minimum student body referendum.

Josh Jacobs, chief of staff, said it would be dangerous to require a minimum of students to vote. … Continue Reading

Dunn: student fee would reduce tuition increase

Meghann Anderson
Staff writer

Jesse Carruthers/The News

President Randy Dunn spoke of building a new library on campus to the Student Government Association at its weekly meeting Wednesday.

Dunn’s visit was part of an administration effort to encourage the SGA to adopt student fees associated with the new library project, expected to break ground sometime in 2013.

Adam Murray, dean of University libraries, said the projected cost of $62 million would include internal furnishings in the new building project. … Continue Reading

SGA contemplates new library project funding

Austin Ramsey || The News

Meghann Anderson
Staff writer

Five blueprints lined the front of the Barkley Room in the Curris Center Wednesday as the Student Government Association discussed plans for a new library.

A new student fee may be added to help pay for the debt incurred from the bonds for the library project. For the fee to be added, it would have to be approved by students, the Board of Regents and the Council on Postsecondary Education.

The SGA Senate will decide next week if it wants to present the idea to the students for voting. … Continue Reading

Dunn, SGA discuss student fees to fund library

Austin Ramsey
News Editor
Chris Wilcox
Staff writer

Photo courtesy of MSU Libraries

President Randy Dunn is considering a possible measure to pay for a new library projected to break ground some time between 2012 and 2014.

The measure, which Dunn announced Tuesday at the Murray State University Campus-Wide Administrators’ Meeting, would be to initiate a bond sale paid for by additional student fees.

Dunn said the completion of the Science Complex on N. 16th Street is still No. 1 on the capital projects list but the University was exploring several payment options for a planned library. … Continue Reading