The Southeast Board of Regents met on Friday and approved the budget to renovate Cottonwood and Lift for Life Academy charter.
All the meeting minutes from the June 2017 meeting were approved during the first part of the meeting. Kathy Mangels informed the Board of Regents that IT is working to update the Wi-Fi on campus.
The board approved a new Master of Arts for teachers in science, technology, engineering and math areas and a film and literature minor. Southeast Provost Karl Kunkel presented this idea to the board.
This will be the only fully online program of its kind in the state starting in January 2018.
One of the longest talked about items was the recharter for Lift for Life Academy in St. Louis.
Board President Jay Knudtson asked what advantages Southeast is receiving from Lift for Life Academy charter school which is up for recharter. Representatives from the schools stated that the school probably could not exist without Southeast and they would have to find another charter.
“We really now see that school as now more than just a business relationship,” university President Carlos Vargas said.
The board approved the recharter for Lift for Life Academy from July 2018 to June 2023.
The Lawrence Group gave a presentation to the board about the use of classroom spaces. Their presentation went over the best way to use the spaces on campus and how to make the most out of the spaces. One option talked about moving the programs out of Kent Library and into Pacific Hall. They also talked about Crisp Hall and gave two options for its changes.
The presentation was an update on the master plan and the full presentation and approval will happen during the Board of Regents meeting in December.
Another suggestion the Lawrence Group made was to make the Art Building into the Computer Science Building.
The budget to renovate Cottonwood for University International Services and Intensive English Program (IEP) was approved and the renovations will be complete by fall 2018. The building is being renovated in hopes to create a collaborative learning and working environment for IEP and international students.
Senior Damon Washington presented to the Board of Regents about his success in learning about sales while at Southeast. Washington has attended many sales competitions around the country and has found much success. He shared with the Board of Regents that he believes a sales major would be a good addition to Southeast.
Washington will graduate in December and already has a job waiting for him in Utah.
