By Jeff Murphy,
September 22, 2016
WARRENSBURG, MO – An increase to the Humphreys Building project contingency fund,
and a new Bachelor of Science in Software Engineering degree, which would be the first
such program in Missouri, were among items approved by the University of Central Missouri
Board of Governors when it recently met on campus. The board also approved the purchase
of new pianos for the Department of Music, further enhancing the institution’s status
since 2007 as a “Steinway Campus.”
In the meeting Sept. 16 in the Elliott Student Union, the board approved a $500,000
increase in the Humphreys Building contingency fund. Board action followed a decision
in May 2016 to approve $2.95 million to enable the university to take advantage of
the summer schedule to renovate office suites used by the Criminal Justice and Safety
Sciences academic departments in Humphreys, and conduct lead and asbestos remediation
throughout the four-story building. The Humphreys Building was built in two different
sections in 1915 and 1916 that were joined many years later, and some asbestos-containing
-materials (ACM) were used during the construction process. Additionally, an area
in the building’s basement was a former indoor firing range, which was closed in 2011.
Deborah Curtis, provost-chief learning officer, has been overseeing the project team.
Although a summer completion date was initially sought, in mid-July the university
extended the timeline for completion of the project to Nov. 4, 2016. This, according
to Curtis, will provide more time to complete additional asbestos abatement, check
mechanical systems that have been turned off during the cleaning process, make needed
internal structural repairs, perform painting, installation of new carpet and ceiling
tiles throughout the building, and complete furniture assembly and placement.
By August, total project costs, including covering unexpected challenges due to work
in the aging structure, was less than $2.6 million, but additional expenses are expected.
To avoid additional delays, an increase of $500,000 was sought for the project contingency.
Curtis said this additional amount is the last funding request related to the project
that is expected to be brought to the board.
After hearing a presentation by Xiadong Yue, chair of the School of Computer Science
and Mathematics, the board approved a new Bachelor of Science in Software Engineering
degree to be housed within the College of Health, Science and Technology (CHST). This
degree must still be approved by the Missouri Coordinating Board for Higher Education
(CBHE). Pending CBHE approval, CHST hopes to begin publishing the degree in the 2017-2018
UCM Undergraduate Catalog.
Yue said the growing pervasiveness of software, which affects almost everyone’s daily
life, from mundane tasks such as using home appliances to controlling traffic lights,
has created a need for trained individuals who are capable of delivering high-quality
software products. Demand for people trained in this area also is expected to increase
much faster than other U.S. occupations. In fact, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
projects that there will be a 17 percent growth in employment of software engineers
from 2014 to 2024. Employment of applications software developers is projected to
grow 19 percent, and employment of systems software developers is projected to grow
13 percent.
The board also approved the purchase of 13 Steinway pianos from the Schmitt Music
Company, further contributing to UCM’s status as a “Steinway Campus.” The total net
cost of the instruments is $393,089 with trade-in of 12 pianos. The College of Arts,
Humanities, and Social Sciences will utilize $72,000 in Fiscal Year 2017 funding made
available through the Strategic Resource Allocation Model (SRAM) and $15,000 in Department
of Music general operations to fund a portion of the cost. The remainder will be funded
with institutional reserves.
Along with quality faculty in the Department of Music, the institution’s status as
a “Steinway Campus” has become a significant draw for students interested in teaching
music as well as performing on the piano, Curtis said.
