The Arkansas Tech University Board of Trustees authorized the ATU Division of Administration and Finance to issue a request for qualifications relative to the possible development of existing ATU real estate during its final meeting of the 2022 calendar year on Thursday.
The request for qualifications will seek firms with the capacity to evaluate 165.73 acres of ATU-owned land located between North Arkansas Avenue and Interstate 40 on the northeast side of the ATU campus in Russellville as well as ATU-owned properties along the North El Paso Avenue corridor for possible future development.
Responding entities will be asked to provide information about their expertise in real estate strategy development services, public/private partnership advisory services, political communication strategy, land use advisory, real estate community relations, real estate contract management, real estate project management, real estate acquisition advisory, placemaking advisory and other relevant land development services and/or consultant services.
A memorandum from Laury Fiorello, ATU vice president for administration and finance, explained the land development master plan project designation “does not pre-select development components nor does it pre-define what should be developed.”
Fiorello also clarified that the land development master plan is separate from the ATU campus master plan, which focuses on educational, student support and student housing facilities.
Following the completion of the request for qualifications process, the vendor recommended by the selection committee will be brought before the ATU Board of Trustees for review and possible approval.
In other business on Thursday, the ATU Board of Trustees approved:
*awarding a $947,863 contract to EWI Constructors of Russellville to perform a planned renovation at McEver Hall;
*a transfer of $25,000 from educational and general funds to complete an ongoing renovation at Hull Physical Education Building;
*selection of Kinco Constructors of Little Rock as construction manager at risk for the forthcoming student union and recreation center project on the ATU campus in Russellville;
*facility and equipment rental rates for external individuals and groups that wish to utilize the Hull Building Student Union during winter break, spring break and the summer months;
*an ATU electronic signature policy consistent with the Arkansas Electronic Records and Signatures Act and the Uniform Electronic Transactions Act;
*a letter of notification requesting approval to add a Certificate of Proficiency in air conditioning and refrigeration at ATU-Ozark Campus;
*a letter of intent requesting approval for a change of location for the ATU-Ozark cardiac sonography program from the current location at Chaffee Crossing in Fort Smith to the Arkansas Colleges of Health Education building at 1000 Fianna Way in Fort Smith;
*the ATU financial statement and audit report for the period ending June 30, 2022, as well as the certification of appropriation and fund balance for submission to the chief fiscal officer of the State of Arkansas and the Arkansas Legislative Council;
*and formal certification of the number of days of cash on hand contained in the annual ATU audit report in accordance with Act 69 of 2021.
In personnel matters, the ATU Board of Trustees approved hiring the following full-time employees:
*Barbara Brewer, webmaster and digital strategist, effective Oct. 31, 2022; Lisa Crider, health promotion specialist, effective Nov. 7, 2022; Morgan Hitt, web operations specialist, effective Oct. 31, 2022; and Jeremiah Wilson, industry training specialist, effective Dec. 5, 2022.
Allison Sheehan moved into the role of assistant director for campus visit experience in the ATU Office of Admissions after previously serving as an admissions officer.
Trustees accepted resignations from the following individuals:
*Holly Anderton, executive assistant to the vice president for student affairs, effective Dec. 1, 2022; Jessica Brock, director of admissions, effective Jan. 3, 2023; Dr. Jorista Garrie, associate professor of wildlife science, effective Dec. 22, 2022; Deidre Huey, workforce education faculty of occupational therapist assistant, effective Dec. 7, 2022; Sande Mabry, construction manager, effective Nov. 15, 2022; Jeff Mumert, computer support specialist, effective Oct. 31, 2022; Daniel Smith, training specialist and business consultant for the Arkansas Small Business and Technology Development Center regional office at ATU, effective Dec. 31, 2022; Justin Smith, chief business officer at ATU-Ozark Campus, effective Nov. 14, 2022; and Dr. Lei Zhang, assistant professor of art, effective Dec. 6, 2022.
