The Board of Trustees of Illinois State University approved a number of resolutions at its quarterly meeting on Friday, February 18, 2022. The full text of those resolutions can be found on the Board of Trustees website.
Datacenter server upgrade
The Board of Trustees approved the upgrade of Illinois State’s datacenter server equipment. The project, at a cost not to exceed $1.5 million, will include the purchase and installation of new hardware and software to replace systems that have been in place since 2010. The upgraded server system will better support classroom teaching, faculty research, and various student and staff support applications and business functions with greatly improved system reliability, efficiency, and security.
Life safety assessment
Trustees authorized the University to hire an external professional firm specializing in fire and life safety building standards to study the existing facilities at Watterson Towers residence halls and recommend remediation efforts, if any are found. Watterson Towers was built in 1969, and over the years many construction, maintenance, and repair projects have been completed resulting in the need to perform a periodic evaluation of these efforts to ensure that building safety standards continue to remain at the required protection levels. The estimated cost of this initial evaluation, design, and recommendation phase is not expected to exceed $750,000.
Fume hood upgrade project
Trustees gave authorization to begin a project to repair and upgrade laboratory classroom fume hoods in the Science Laboratory Building. The work will be paid for with $4,264,000 of approved funding from the State of Illinois’ Capital Development Board. Work will involve replacing fume hood exhaust air valves and related components. Project construction is expected to start in May 2023 and will be phased in over two summers to limit disruption to classroom and laboratory spaces.
HVAC, building envelope project
Trustees gave approval for a project to repair and upgrade the heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems and building envelope of the Felmley Science Annex building. The project will be paid for with $7,107,000 of approved funding from the State of Illinois’ Capital Development Board. Work will include upgrades to plumbing, electrical, and mechanical systems including lab hoods, renovation of HVAC systems, replacement of the building’s existing curtain wall system, and roof repair or replacement work. Construction is expected to start in May 2023 and will be phased in over two to three summers to limit disruption to classroom and laboratory spaces.
West Campus pedestrian bridge replacement
Trustees authorized a project to design and construct a replacement pedestrian bridge over Sugar Creek in West Campus. The existing pedestrian bridge, the main pedestrian crossing point between Gregory and Adelaide streets, is in structural failure and was recently closed permanently due to safety concerns. Trustees approved project funding not to exceed $1 million.
Natural gas contract extension
The Board of Trustees approved a contract extension with Interstate Municipal Gas Company (IMGA) from July 1, 2027, through November 11, 2030, for the purchase of natural gas and related services. The extension of Illinois State’s current contract with IMGA will allow strategic gas purchases, at fiscally prudent rates, to help mitigate natural gas price fluctuation risk.
Journal subscriptions
Trustees authorized spending of up to $2.4 million for renewal of journal subscriptions and purchase of direct databases with EBSCO Industries for FY2023 for Milner Library. EBSCO Industries is the primary periodicals and electronic databases vendor for Milner Library and provides volume discounts to the desired database and subscription services.
Alumni and donor management system
The Board authorized Illinois State to purchase a new customer relationship management (CRM) system to help build and enhance relationships with alumni, friends, corporations, and foundations to achieve the University’s engagement and fundraising priorities. Trustees approved a one-year contract with three one-year options for renewal with Carahsoft, a software reseller that provides access to information technology products and services, including BEP certified minority firms, at a total cost not to exceed $2,998,000.
Hancock Stadium Club naming
Trustees approved naming the Hancock Stadium Club located on the third floor of Hancock Stadium the “Aaron Leetch Stadium Club” to honor the former deputy director of Athletics. Leetch tragically passed away in a 2015 plane crash that also claimed the lives of ISU Associate Head Basketball Coach Torrey Ward, Jason Jones, Andy Butler, Terry Stralow, Scott Bittner, and Tom Hileman. The naming is made possible by financial gifts by Tom and Kay Cross and Dave and Jane Kruger in support of Illinois State University and Redbird Athletics.
