PJC Regents Cover Wide-Ranging Topics

Published or Revised January 25, 2011

The Paris Junior College Board of Regents received a presentation on a new Science and Technology Building design, approved a softball field agreement with the City of Paris, and heard about potential state budget cuts at their Monday evening meeting. SHW Architects provided the regents with an overview of the design for the new Science and Technology Building for the north end of the Paris campus. The design includes an open, flexible classroom that can seat up to 120, and several classrooms that can hold 60 or 30-plus students. There would be a math center, classrooms, science labs with shared prep rooms, space for faculty and adjuncts and common space for students to gather. The regents approved the use of the Construction Manager at Risk method for the new building. This method has allowed both the Greenville building and South Campus Residence Hall to be brought in on time and under budget. SHW Architects was also selected to design an additional parking lot at the PJC–Greenville Center, to the west of the existing parking lot. Also approved was an agreement with the City of Paris for use of a softball field. The Paris City Council had approved the agreement after a public hearing. In other business, the regents:

• Approved the college’s Investment Policy with no changes. The regents are required by the Public Funds Investment Act to annually review the policy. Retained the law firm of Guinn and Morrison to perform redistricting work based on the final 2010 Census numbers.
• Received a preliminary enrollment report that shows student numbers approaching 6000. Though spring is usually less than fall enrollment, PJC expects to be well above spring 2010 numbers. The official census date is Feb. 2, 2011.
• Received a handout as part of the President’s Report listing the cuts in the House and Senate budget bills filed this session. The cuts to PJC are similar in number, at either $1.7 or $1.6 million. The House bill cuts insurance and retirement benefits as well as closing down four community colleges. The Senate bill also cuts retirement and some insurance benefits. Dr. Anglin also reported on staff development, where faculty made good progress in developing Student Learning Outcomes. To assist in making the additional 2.5 percent cut to this year’s budget, vacant positions are being left open for the remainder of the fiscal year. Also, student travel has been frozen unless it is for competition purposes.
• Approved the hiring of Dr. Andrew Fisher as director of the Paris Junior College – Sulphur Springs Center and received the resignation of Aviation Instructor Pete Claypool effective January 7 and the retirement of Director of Institutional Research Jerry Hammack, effective August 31, 2011.