Regents approve name change study; SWT breaks ground on Mitte Complex

Date of release: 02/08/01

SAN MARCOS, TEXAS — The Texas State University System Board of Regents has authorized Southwest Texas State University to begin a feasibility study on changing the name of the university. Study recommendations are to be given to the board prior to the convening of the 78th Texas State Legislature in 2003.

Meeting Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday on the SWT campus, the regents discussed recent widespread talk about SWT’s changing its name. A name change to Texas State University at San Marcos proposal was originally scheduled for a board vote during this week’s meeting; however, President Jerome H. Supple suggested the feasibility study instead to give SWT more time for communication with alumni and students. Supple has met with alumni and others in cities around the state in recent weeks to talk about the name change. However, he said he felt time had run out before he could build a solid enough case for the change to present it to the board.

“Momentum has been building in favor of the name change,” he said. “Several student and alumni groups have endorsed it. I am now convinced it is something we should do. We just need more time to talk to all the people we need to talk to. The study will help us assess the impact a name change would have.”

Whether a part of Southwest Texas State University or Texas State University, a new building housing the Art and Design, Technology and Physics Departments received the distinction of being named the Roy F. and Joann Cole Mitte Complex. Wednesday, the Board of Regents authorized the renaming during a groundbreaking ceremony for the complex. The Mittes, Mitte Foundation board members, system regents, and system and SWT officials took part in the ceremony for the new facility.

The five-story, 240,000 square-foot complex, which is expected to be completed in 2003, will be home to state-of-the-art computer centers, laboratories, classrooms, outdoor learning centers, two art galleries and a microchip manufacturing facility.

The Mittes, SWT’s most generous donors, have given $17.6 million to Southwest Texas for scholarships and five endowed chair positions. Mrs. Mitte said, during the ceremony that the couple was humbled and honored to receive such an everlasting distinction.

In other SWT-related action, the regents:

  • Authorized the issuance of Board of Regents, Texas State University System Revenue Financing System Bonds, Series 2001 for $2.7 million for the addition of two levels to the LBJ Student Center Parking Garage.
  • Approved an increase of the Designation Tuition Fee from $38 to $42 per semester credit hour beginning in Fall 2001 if approved by the legislature, or $40 per semester credit hour if the statutes are not changed; Approved an increase of the Medical Service Fee from $34 to $39 per semester and the Recreation Sports Fee from $41 to $45 per semester.
  • Approved increases of six percent and four percent in room and board costs respectfully and an additional $186 per resident student to cover rising utility rates and fire-code compliance.
  • Authorized the Texas State University System to charge a fee of up to 10 percent of the outstanding balance on delinquent loans made to students as emergency loans.
  • Authorized a purchase order of $175,250 for lab equipment for the Technology Department.
  • Approved the Institutional Plan for Distance Education and Off-Campus Instruction.
  • Approved the preliminary plans, prepared by Lockwood, Andrews & Newnam Inc. of Houston, for Cogeneration Facility upgrades at a construction cost of $1,883, 811.
  • Approved the contract, awarded to STR Construction Inc. of Liberty Hill, for Phase II University Service Center renovations.
  • Authorized SWT to add the 17-acre “Satterwhite Tract” to the list of properties approved for acquisition.
  • Authorized the board chair and chair of the SWT Local Committee to execute a construction contract with the low qualified bidder for construction of a Southeast Utilities Expansion not to exceed $1.4 million.
  • Authorized the university to offer final acceptance of West Campus Sports Field Projects according to plans and specifications prepared by Rehler, Vaughn & Koone and accomplished by Partners Construction.
  • Approved the installation of a wastewater utility easement from SWT to the City of San Marcos and authorized the vice president for finance and support services to execute the easement on behalf of the university upon review and approval by the vice chancellor and general counsel.
  • Approved an increase in the residence hall renovation budget by $3 million. Authorized the university to acquire City of San Marcos property along the southwest side of Comanche Street at a purchase price not to exceed the appraised value or by trade for SWT property of similar value at the intersection of Sessom Drive and University Drive and for the vice president of finance and support services to execute all documents related to the real estate transaction.
  • Amended Board Order 00-116, which authorized the sale of University Farm property along Hunter Road and McCarty Lane, to include that SWT is authorized to create accounts in the quasi-endowment fund group with the proceeds of the sale of the University Farm for student scholarships and the benefit of the Agriculture Department.
  • Authorized a student initiative to seek legislation’s approval to assess an Environmental Service fee not to exceed $6 per semester.
  • Acknowledged gifts to the university of $10,000 or more:
    • Advanced Micro Devices gave two computers and $142,000 in cash for the purchase of equipment within the Department of Physics
    • The Roy F. and Joann Cole Mitte Foundation gave $200,000 in cash in support of four Mitte Chairs
    • The SWT Development Foundation received almost $75,000 in cash from the Estate of Lloyd Rogers upon the sale of a house bequeathed to the Foundation
    • The SWT Materials Physics program received equipment valued at $54,600 from Lucent Technologies
    • The City of Cameron Education Corporation donated $50,000 in cash for presidential unrestricted usage
    • Mr. and Mrs. William Karnau established three endowed scholarships in memory of their daughter Sally in the amount of $30,000
    • The Summerlee Foundation provided $25,000 in cash in support of the San Marcos River History Book Project
    • The Department of Technology received $25,000 in cash from the Texas Chapter of the American Foundrymen’s Society
    • The McCombs Foundation gave $25,000 in cash to support the new athletic facility at SWT
    • The Bobcat Club received vehicle use, which was valued at $20,000
    • CenturyTel of San Marcos gave $15,000 in cash in support of the new athletic facility
    • The ACM Asia Project received support in the amount of $16,000 from the IBM Corporation
    • Marilyn L. Rosenman donated $12,000 worth of original artworks from her estate
    • The Southwestern Writers Collection at SWT received $10,000 in cash from the Azadoutioun Foundation
    • Mildred Chamberlin established the Charles E. Chamberlin Endowment in Business Administration with a $10,000 cash gift
    • O.C. Haley increased the Strutter Endowment with a cash gift of $10,000
    • Donna R. Jeffries donated $10,000 in cash for the Jeffries Geography Scholarship
    • Sam Shepard donated more than $10,000 worth of items to the Southwestern Writers Collection and
    • Bob and Sue Shrader increased an endowed scholarship within the Department of Mass Communication with a cash donation of $10,000.
  • Approved routine budget amendments and personnel matters, received internal audit reports of system schools and accepted out-of-state and out-of-country travel reports.