BUSINESS BUILDING'S PLAN OKed

A conceptual design for a proposed College of Business building at Southeast Missouri State University was given approval by the university's board of regents Friday afternoon.

But while regents seemed generally impressed with their initial look at the 100,000 square foot, $12.5 million facility, in discussion they acknowledged that, with the state's tight budget situation, it might be several years before the building is a reality.

Regent Don Harrison of Cape Girardeau, pointing to a section in the design report that had a timetable for completion in the fall of 1993, said it was important everyone understand that timetable is not realistic.

University President Kala M. Stroup acknowledged that the timetable, which starts construction late next spring, was based on the Missouri General Assembly approving its share of funding on the project in its session that begins in January. She agreed that was unlikely and that the timeframes would need revision.

After approving the design, presented by Pat L. Spector, vice president of Sverdrup Corp., the regents also approved a motion to sign a contract with the firm for the second phase of planning.

The first phase, which cost $100,000, was funded by a state appropriation approved in the 1990 legislative session. The second phase, which will cost $300,000, was to be funded with $200,000 in state money. The funds were included in the budget for this fiscal year but were vetoed by Gov. John Ashcroft.

To enable planning to proceed on schedule, the University Foundation agreed to designate $300,000 for the business building planning, instead of the $100,000 previously earmarked.

Dr. Kenneth W. Dobbins, vice president for finance and administration, in response to Harrison's concern about the optimistic timetable, noted that the contract with Sverdroup has stop and start phases so there is no penalty to the university if project funding is delayed.

Dobbins also noted that if Proposition B passes, it could provide the method for paying for the building through debt service.

The new College of Business, in the plan presented Friday, would be constructed on the northwest part of the campus on Henderson Street. The new building would be in the proximity of the Johnson Hall of Science and the Scully Education Building, with a 400-car, landscaped parking lot in front of it.

An air-supported "bubble" recreation facility once stood on a part of the site.

Because it is a College of Business, Spector stressed the importance of having the building look like the offices of a large corporation.

"This building must serve as a prominent focus for the campus," said Spector. "This is a part of the campus that has no image. This is a very important building, so it should have that (corporate-like) image."

Spector said the building must also be attractive because it is on a street with major traffic flow and on one of the few corner locations that has not yet been developed on the campus.

He pointed out that this location will tie into future development of the campus and also provide for better pedestrian flow to other buildings in this part of the campus. "We are taking a corporate-like approach to the building, yet we have a link to other buildings," Spector observed.

"The proposed site will serve as a prominent focus for the north end of the campus," said Spector. "It will be a catalyst for changing the impact of this area of the campus and set the tone for subsequent development."

Spector said all indications at this point are that the building can be within the space and financial guidelines that were set for it prior to the start of formal planning.

Of the total space available, Spector noted that about 65 percent will be set aside for instructional space; 14 percent for support; 4.7 percent for administration; and 16.7 percent for circulation and corridors.

Dr. Richard Schmidt, dean of the College of Business Administration at Southeast, also expressed his support for the concept and explained that a committee of faculty from the college had made a wish list of what the building should contain.

"We worked to pare down our wish list to a more practical list and are pleased with the end result," said Schmidt.

Another key concern is that the building be available for everyone on the campus to use, not just those in the College of Business.

One of the special features included in this building will be an opportunity to get a clear view of the Mississippi River from the 3rd floor student lounge and some offices.

The two wings of the building will be connected by an atrium at the main entrance. The first two floors will be for classrooms and instructional areas, while the top floor will be primarily for faculty offices. The top floor will not be as large as the lower two.

Attached to one wing of the building is a large auditorium.

The outside of the building will be covered with limestone.