WVU Parkersburg Board of Governors approves $24 Million Facilities Master Plan.

CONTACT:  President Marie Foster Gnage, 304-424-8220.

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

The West Virginia University at Parkersburg Board of Governors approved a $24 million facilities master plan for the institution Wednesday (June 9).

The 2010-2020 WVU Parkersburg Comprehensive Master Plan is designed to provide strategic direction to the college in maintaining an appropriate environment for teaching and learning in support of campus programs and students, WVU Parkersburg President Marie Foster Gnage told the college’s Board of Governors. 

 “The facilities master plan is estimated to cost $24 million, excluding deferred maintenance, emergency facility issues and replacement of the college’s Workforce and Community Education complex,” noted President Gnage.

A component of the institution’s strategic planning process, the 10-year plan includes future facility conceptualizations into 2020.  A team of administration, faculty, staff, students and community representatives developed the plan.  It is a work in process, President Gnage noted, that will take into account new circumstances and opportunities.

“I am very excited about this $24 million capital campaign,” Joe Campbell, chair of the Board of Governors, said. 

 “There probably has not been that much spent on this campus since it was established," he added.  "This will be a major economic driver for the community.”

The 140-page plan outlines renovation and/or reconfiguration of classrooms, labs, offices and activities spaces and addresses infrastructure needs.  Also included are conceptualizations for acquisitions and new facilities, including a library, applied technology building, early childhood education laboratory and the Grants building downtown center. 

In other action, the Board of Governors approved Pickering Associates as the architect for the downtown center.  The architectural firm is expected to begin design work within 60 days for the 30,000-square-foot facility located on Market Street in downtown Parkersburg.

A formal agreement regarding the jointly operated Caperton Center for Applied Technology was approved by the board.  The agreement addresses cost sharing between WVU Parkersburg and Wood County Schools.  The Wood County Board of Education will also consider the Caperton agreement at a future meeting.

The Board approved revised standards for admission to the college’s Nursing program.  Dr. Rhonda Richards, senior vice president for academic affairs, explained the revisions which included the elimination of a requirement of an ACT score for any applicant who has earned a college degree from an accredited institution.  The revisions also include the implementation of technical standards for admission, progress and graduation.  The updates will be in effect for the upcoming fall semester.

Board Chair Campbell was re-elected to serve as chair for the upcoming year with board members Keith Burdette elected vice chair and Curtis Miller as secretary.

The Board heard a presentation regarding the college’s Workforce and Community Education Division by Mary Beth Busch, vice president, WCE.

cd06/10/10

For additional information, contact:
Connie Dziagwa
WVU Parkersburg
Executive Director
Institutional Advancement
(304-424-8203 - Office)