August 2007 Regents Report

During the recent meeting of Boards of Regents of the Texas State University System, the group approved changing the name of the Visitor and Alumni Center to the John R. Ragsdale Visitor and Alumni Center in recognition of the gift of $1.25 million from Ragsdale, a 1959 graduate.

The regents also approved changing the name of Academic Building V, which is under construction, to College of Humanities and Social Sciences [Building]. At a cost of $30 million and with 150,000 square feet of space, it will be the largest academic building on campus and is scheduled for completion in the fall of 2008.

Other building news included the relocation of the university's telecommunications operations at a cost of $4.2 million. The equipment, including phone, computer and Internet functions, is currently located in the small building on the edge of the university's new landscaped mall area between the student center and Lee Drain Building (think the small, northern half of the old post office). The relocation of these functions will be completed by July 1, 2008, so that the building can be demolished and the mall area completed. With that exception, the mall is scheduled for completion early this fall.

In other news, Sam Houston State University President James Gaertner will give his annual state-of-the-campus message Wednesday, August 22 in the Criminal Justice Center Killinger Auditorium.