University News
BOT Approves Campus Master Plan
December 14, 2012
MACOMB, IL -- The Western Illinois University Board of Trustees (BOT) approved the 20-year Macomb Campus Master Plan at its Dec. 14 board meeting.
The Campus Master Plan (2012-2032), which builds upon the University's past master plan, was drafted based on feedback from the BOT, campus master plan steering committee, campus and community constituency groups and feasibility studies from campus architects, SmithGroup JJR. The Civil Service Employees Council, Faculty Senate, Council of Administrative Personnel and the Student Government Association have endorsed the plan. According to Joe Rives, vice president of Quad Cities and planning and master plan committee co-chair, recent updates provided to the Board of Trustees show that 75 percent of the projects and/or goals outlined in the 20-year vision have been completed, are currently in progress or will continue in the updated master plan. The master plan will be available at wiu.edu/university_planning/masterplan.php.
The board also approved a change in the transfer student cost guarantee program. The current transfer cost guarantee provides tuition, fees, and room and board at the previous year's rate. Beginning Fall 2013, transfer students will receive the cost guarantee rate in place when they enroll, and those transfer students with an associate degree and a grade point average of 3.5 or higher entering WIU full-time will receive a one-time $1,000 award. Transfer students with an associate degree and a GPA of less than 3.5 entering full-time will receive a one-time $400 book award. According to Admissions Director Andy Borst, the awards provide a greater incentive to prospective transfer students.
In other business, the board tabled action on the self-insured student health insurance program.
The board received updates on enrollment, retention, and graduation data, including priorities and strategies to reach enrollment goals. Such strategies include improving communication with families of prospective students, reducing the timeline/deadline for admissions decisions and enhancing the campus visit experience.
The board also received an update WIU facility assessments, including projects planned for FY'13 including the Performing Arts Center, masonry stack removal, Union renovation phase I and Waggoner and Browne halls roof replacements. Fiscal Year 2014 facilities projects include installing utility metering, prioritizing building renovations and implementing campus landscape upgrades, and the University Drive/Lafayette grand entrance, among others.
The next Board of Trustees meeting is March 29, 2013 at the WIU-Macomb campus.
Posted By: University Communications (U-Communications@wiu.edu)
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