MEETING MINUTES

LOCAL OPERATIONS COMMITTEE (LOC)

March 3, 1999

Glenn Wilde, Mark Brainard, Joy Fisher, Mike Anderson

Darrell Buffaloe, Scott Campbell, Darin Dehle, Jan Few, Jeff Benson, Connie Gomez

AGENDA ITEM #1: The January 6 minutes were approved.

AGENDA ITEMS #2: Joanne Reece provided an overview of University Place planning and activities (see Attachment 1). There was a meeting held with the City of Idaho Falls regarding land use at University Place, one key issue is parking. Landmark Architects are being brought in as consultants for the Site Master Plan. Land Lease for the SUB was approved 2/16/99 by the UI Foundation. There remain a few issues to be resolved. An alternative site for the Science and Technology building will be considered, west and north of the SUB. Jennifer asked if the river view will be maintained with the new placement for the Science and Technology building. Joanne assured everyone that the view of the river will still be maintained and there will be open access. It was reported that the SUB should get underway soon, with possible ground breaking to be shortly after the bids are opened on April 8 at 2:00. It was suggested that the SUB Use Agreement will be completed before ground breaking.

AGENDA ITEM #3: A security brochure has been developed for the University Place campus and it will be sent out to ISU students only, unless UI would like it to be sent to their students. UI personnel requested a copy of the brochure to review. Steve Chatterton stated that this brochure was necessary in order for the universities to comply with federal regulations. UI personnel was asked if they would like to have their website added to the brochure and after review of the brochure, UI will decide.

AGENDA ITEM #4: It was stated that intentions are to move the university bookstore to the SUB once it is completed. This move will give the bookstore approximately 3,300 sq. ft. Currently, there is a review underway to determine what impacts, if any, or what benefits would be gained if the bookstore were to be privatized. There are financial and performance issues that are being addressed during this review. A consultant was brought in to offer suggestions on how to improve services to students from the bookstore. If the bookstore were to be privatized, it would be expected that a large company, such as Barnes and Noble, would be asked to bid. By using a company like Barnes and Noble, students could order their books via Internet and would ease the pressure on the bookstore of knowing exactly how many books to have on hand. Presently, students buy books from campus bookstores or via Internet and it is causing the University Place Bookstore to have a problem in predicting exactly how many books to have available. Everyone was assured that this is still in the research stage and nothing has been determined. The question had been posed to Pocatello campus to separate the two bookstores and that has been determined not be an option.

AGENDA ITEM #5: EITC and University Place are pleased to report on a successful meeting with Presidents Bowen and Hoover, Dr. Lawson, Dr. LaRowe, Jennifer Fisher and Luke Robins, that will include EITC as a full partner in furthering higher education opportunities in the upper valley. Details will need to be worked out to include financial aid, advising, etc. for EITC students and make the University Place user friendly to them as well.

AGENDA ITEM #6: Mike Anderson reported that the issue of getting on line with WGU is close to being completed. Mike has discovered that BSU still does not have their application completed and do not have any classes on line. If University Place is to be center for WGU, this will permit students to come in and have direct access to WGU or other universities, in theory. This may cause the need for a dedicated computer for WGU. It appears that there may be a need for space for people and testing when a student comes in to be competency tested with WGU. Greg Fitch as indicated that there will be funds available to cover these expenses.

AGENDA ITEM #7: Discussions are underway with regard to solving parking issues at University Place. Some questions being asked are: do we need designated parking, is there enough parking, should all students, faculty and staff be charged for parking? Fred and Ann are seeking and suggestions or comments. No decisions have been reached at this time.

OTHER: Idaho Water Resources Research Institute will be drilling two wells, 16" in diameter and 200 ft deep to use for instruction and research. These wells will be drilled in the northwest corner of the property (next to the railroad) and will be used for at least three years. These wells should not be in the way of any new developments at University Place.

Dr. Fitch has asked for a monthly report on what is taking place in Idaho Falls. It was felt that the meeting minutes of the LOC would provide him with a majority of the needed information.

Glenn stated that Wednesday mornings were a problem for him to meet with the LOC and provided that the compressed video is available, the meeting time will be changed to the first Tuesday of the month at 9:00 a.m.