Houstonian: Raven Nest set to open Thursday

From the Houstonian:

The new Raven Nest Golf Course was recently completed. The first tournament at the course, the First National Bank Master's Challenge, was held on April 25 and the course is scheduled to open to the public Thursday. The 7,001-yard course is located at 457 Interstate 45 South in Huntsville and it is designed for golfers of all skill levels.

On the first hole, the green tee is 430 yards away from the hole, the white tee is 450 yards, the blue tee is 515 yards and the black tee is 536 yards away.

In order to successfully master the first hole, the Raven Nest Web site says, "The key to playing the hole rests on a straight tee shot avoiding Robinson Creek which parallels the hole on the entire right side. Long hitters will have an opportunity to go for the green in two shots with a normal prevailing wind coming from behind the player."

Houstonian: SHSU buys property along 17th Street

From the Houstonian:

Sam Houston State University officials are moving forward with a plan to develop a freshmen-housing facility on the corner block of Sam Houston Avenue and 17th Street after purchasing the property on April 15.

SHSU officials have discussed purchasing properties on this block for the past few months with a real estate company.

Huntsville area businesses, which will be affected by the property purchases are, Zach's Bar and Grill Restaurant, Quarter's Sports Bar, and Taboo Tattoo.

"We now own the block," [Jack] Parker [SHSU vice president of Finance and Operations] said. "(The housing) is going to be for freshmen use; for construction of freshmen housing very similar to the White Hall (housing facility)."

The undisclosed amount was determined with the approval of The Texas State University System Board of Regents and the Higher Education Coordinating Board with the approval from two appraisals, he said.

The university housing fund balance funded the new housing development that is expected to be in operation by fall 2004.

Board makes decision on name change

From the Houstonian:

With all the attention surrounding Southwest Texas State University's possible name change, Bearkats can sleep easy knowing Sam Houston State University will keep its name.

University President James Gaertner announced Wednesday that the consideration to change the name of Sam Houston State University to Texas State University - Sam Houston, was declined by the Texas State Board of Regents.

The Regents met by telephone conference call to consider possible action concerning the bill to change the name of Southwest Texas State University to: Texas State University - San Marcos. The system presidents also participated in the call.

"There was quite a bit of sentiment out there," Gaertner said. "The Board of Regents are smart people and they made the right decision. The Regents knew I was strongly opposed to a change. Students, faculty, alumni and staff were opposed to a change so I'm glad nothing changed."

Gaertner thanked people both on and off campus who provided him with their concerns about the possible name change.

"I was able to pass along that information on, and it was considered during the Regents' deliberations," he said in his e-mail to the university community. "In my judgment, we did what we truly considered to be in the best interest of Sam Houston State, and I deeply appreciate your efforts and support."

Houstonian: Playing the name game

From the Houstonian:

If a Senate Bill to change the name of Southwest Texas State University to Texas State University at San Marcos is passed, the name of Sam Houston State University and other universities in the Texas State University System might also be changed.

Texas State Sen. Jeff Wentworth filed a bill with the Senate of Texas on March 6 at the request of Southwest Texas State University's Associated Student Government. A press release from Wentworth's office stated if Senate Bill 928 passes, it would be effective Sept. 1.

SHSU President James Gaertner said if the current bill begins to get serious consideration out of committee, then the Board of Regents in our Texas State University System would meet to discuss the possibility of not only changing the name of Southwest Texas State University, but also changing the names of other system schools.

"If that would pass the Board of Regents, we don't know what form that would take, maybe it would pass that all (universities in the system) would change their name, maybe it would pass that only those who want to will change its name, so we don't know what form that will take and we are really dealing in speculation," Gaertner said. "Then there would be a proposed amendment to the bill in the way that the Regents voted and then that bill will be considered for law."

Jackson-Shaver to Receive Face-lift

From the Houstonian:

The Jackson-Shaver residence hall will be closed for a restoration process during the fall 2003 semester and is expected to reopen in the spring of 2004.

"(Jackson-Shaver) is going to close in May after everyone moves out and it will be closed down for the fall, and then all the renovations should be complete for it to be back online in January," said Joellen Tipton, director of Residence Life.

Residents of Jackson-Shaver were allowed a couple of days in advance of renewal week to choose where they wanted to live in the fall semester.

"(Residents) are (reserving a room) right now during renewal week, and they were given a couple of days ahead of time if they wanted to choose where to go to, such as Bearkat Village and the new apartments. They basically get first run at that since they are being displaced because of the renovation," Tipton said.

The makeover for the Jackson-Shaver Hall will consist of a new air conditioning and heating system, fresh paint and new carpet in the public areas and new tile floors in the student rooms.

"The biggest task for (renovating Jackson-Shaver) will be the whole H-Vac system, the air conditioning and heating system is getting completely revamped," she said. "This involves a lot of engineering, and then they are going to give the hall some cosmetic changes."

Several other housing renovations will take place in the 2003 to 2004 academic year also.

Renovations such as painting student rooms, hallways, public areas and new carpet in public areas will be changes made to the Barrett, Parkhill, Randel, and Vick Houses.

During the summer of 2003, renovations will occur in Alpha Chi Omega, Alpha Delta Pi, Sigma Sigma Sigma, Zeta Tau Alpha, Gibbs, and Rachel Jackson houses with new heating and cooling systems, fresh paint for the student room, new carpet in public areas and new vinyl tile in the student rooms. The Anne Shaver and Houston Houses will also receive a heating and cooling system renovation.

Houstonian: Dining facility 'zones' out 68 spaces in commuter lot

From the Houstonian:

A new dining facility scheduled to be built inside the student parking lot in front of the Estill Building will provide dining on the south side of the campus.

Associate Vice President for Finance and Operations Jacque Gilliam said...the location was chosen by the chancellor of the Board of Regents, and will feature a Pizza Hut, Montagues and Java City along with a restaurant called Home Zone that will sell boxed lunches to accommodate students with board plan dining arrangements.

Vice President of Finance and Operations Jack Parker said the university has been planning the new facility for a while.

"We took it to the Board of Regents last year and it formally approved for construction the contract award Feb. 27 or 28 during the quarterly meeting," Parker said.

The new facility will be 5,000 square feet and include kitchen, dining and storage areas, and will have outside dining tables.

Gilliam said rumors that the new facility would be in the former White Hall cafeteria are inaccurate and were "never in the plans." She said it would be inefficient since all the pipes had been removed from the facility and that the room would have to be renovated.

Gilliam also said White Hall's cafeteria and most other dining areas like the Paw Print are underground, and that the university wants to have something more open and visible to the public.