SBU trustee meeting sees Salem land purchase
Land will provide parking, expansion for SBU-Salem
October 26, 2004
BOLIVAR – A tour of the Southwest Baptist University Salem campus was included in the SBU board of trustees annual fall meeting held Oct. 11 and 12.
On Oct. 11 several board members traveled to the SBU-Salem campus to witness the signing of a land purchase agreement with the city of Salem, and to tour the facility. SBU purchased approximately nine acres of land adjacent to the Salem campus. The land will provide needed parking and also will allow expansion opportunities for the future.
SBU-Salem has operated since 1986 and moved to its new 16,500-square-foot facility in October 2001. The Gott Center for Christian Higher Education includes classrooms, a library, a distance learning center, student support and meeting areas and faculty offices. Two hundred thirty undergraduate students are enrolled for classes at the SBU-Salem campus this fall semester.
Thirteen resolutions were passed during the regular business meeting held Oct. 12. Among those resolutions was one revising the 2003-2008 strategic initiatives. The minor changes in wording provide a stronger statement concerning student learning. The strategic initiatives provide the primary direction for the University.
The board of trustees recognized three members who will rotate off the board this year. Elsie Blair, a businesswoman from Camdenton, Mo.; Ardis Driskill, a retired businesswoman from Liberty, Mo.; and Wendell Page, a pastor from Lee’s Summit, Mo., will have completed terms of service to SBU at the end of 2004. Blair served as vice chair of the university advancement and estate planning committee, Driskill served on the admissions and student life committee, and Page served on the building and grounds committee. Three new trustees to replace Blair, Driskill and Page will be approved by the Missouri Baptist Convention during the annual meeting to be held Oct. 26-27 at Raytown First Baptist Church.
The board of trustees approved changing the name of the Wheeler Food, Nutrition and Science Facility to the Wheeler Science Center. Because SBU no longer offers a degree in food and nutrition, the new name will more accurately reflect the curriculum taught in the building.
Other business included the approval of various course fees and a required $100 deposit from each student living in campus apartments. A resolution was also approved to give a building in Branson to the Summit Foundation, and to purchase and sell a piece of real estate in Kansas City. Trustees also approved the establishment of an expense fund for fundraising activities related to the renovation of the Mellers Center.
In other action items, the trustees voted to accept the 2004 audit report, and to approve the revised fiscal year 2004-2005 budget.
The next trustee meeting is scheduled for Feb. 7-8, 2005.