June-22-2000

Board of Regents Meeting

Special Meeting of the
Finance, Facilities, and Land Management Committee
Thursday, June 22, 2000; 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 noon
Regents' Conference Room 109, Butrovich Building
University of Alaska Fairbanks
Fairbanks, Alaska

Committee Members:
Elsa Froehlich Demeksa, Chair
Robert A. Malone
R. Danforth Ogg
Mary Jane Fate
Joseph E. Usibelli, Jr.
Michael J. Burns, Board Chair

I. Call to Order

II. Adoption of Agenda

MOTION

"The Finance, Facilities, and Land Management Committee adopts the agenda as presented.

I. Call to Order
II. Adoption of Agenda
III. Approval of Schematic Design for University of Alaska Museum Expansion Project
IV. Status Report on the Alaska Higher Education Savings Trust
V. Future Agenda Items
VI. Adjourn

This motion is effective June 22, 2000."

III. Approval of Schematic Design for University of Alaska Museum Expansion Project

INTRODUCTION
The museum is the premier repository for northern natural and cultural history collections-collections that play a central role in addressing questions about global climate change, public health, and the health of our environment. It is the only research and teaching museum in Alaska. It is also the only museum with collections in archaeology, earth sciences, herbarium, ornithology, mammalogy, ethnology/history, marine sciences, and fine arts. It is the only museum with faculty-curators who train undergraduate and graduate students.

With more than one million items, less than 5 percent are on display. The Museum has run out of room for its collections. The museum expansion will increase the collection storage space by more than 60 percent. New exhibition space will double the amount of space dedicated to displaying the collections

To meet the Museum's threefold mission of teaching, research and service, the expansion will include an Education Center with a special classroom for schoolchildren, a laboratory classroom for university students and computer networked study rooms. Rural Alaska schoolchildren will be able to visit the museum via the Internet. State-of-the-art laboratories will be constructed to respond to state, national and international research demands, as well as on-campus student and faculty needs.

New exhibits, an auditorium, and an improved store will provide increased revenues.

The university administration will address the following items contained in the reference during its presentation to the Finance, Facilities, and Land Management Committee:

1. UA Museum Mission and Conceptual Design of the Museum Expansion Project
2. Design and Construction Processes; Anticipated Timelines; Expenditures
3. Project Cost and Other Expenses
4. Funding Plan
5. UA Museum Business Plan Relative to Visitor Services and Operating Costs

The President recommends that:

MOTION

"As required by Regents' Policy 05.12.04, the Finance, Facilities, and Land Management Committee approves the schematic design for the University of Alaska Museum Expansion Project as presented and, subject to availability of funds, authorizes the university administration to bid and award contracts not to exceed a total project cost of $31,000,000. This motion is effective June 22, 2000."

IV. Status Report on the Alaska Higher Education Savings Trust

Interim Vice President for Finance Jim Lynch will present a status report on the implementation of the Alaska Higher Education Savings Trust and revision to the Advance College Tuition Savings Plan.

V. Future Agenda Items

VI. Adjourn