The Southern Illinois University Board of Trustees today approved contracts to provide infrastructure improvements for the Edwardsville campus and support marketing efforts to sustain undergraduate and graduate student recruitment during its regularly scheduled meeting on the Carbondale campus. The board also approved contracts for supplies and dental lab services for the SIU School of Dental Medicine (SIU SDM) in Alton.
Beginning with Phase I of the Student Success Center renovation, the board awarded a $246,000 contract to R&W Builder’s, Inc., of O’Fallon, Ill., for general work and a $134,982 contract to Pyramid Electrical Contractors, Inc., of Fairview Heights, for electrical work. The renovation will focus on expanding the Disability Support Services (DSS) office to accommodate the approximately 700 students that require assistance for testing services, and relocating the smart seminar room and computer lab space to service that growing population. The renovation will be funded from the Student Success Center repair and replacement reserve funds.
The board also awarded a $275,000 contract to R&W Builder’s, Inc., to replace the existing skylight system in the Morris University Center (MUC). The original skylight system has deteriorated and is leaking. The MUC repair and replacement reserve fund will support the project.
The SIUE exterior water distribution system Phase II plan to replace valves and fire hydrants includes a $482,900 contract to Haier Plumbing and Heating, Inc., of Okawville. The replacement of more than 300 valves and hydrants is planned through multiple phases, and Phase II addresses priority valves. The cost is covered by facilities management plant funds.
In Phase II of the campus sidewalk replacement plan, the board awarded a $374,500 contract to Stutz Excavating, Inc., of Alton. Replacement of the current deteriorating asphalt sidewalks with concrete pathways will be completed during summer 2018. The Phase II cost is covered by facilities management plant funds.
As the renovated Science East Building is coming into full use, the board approved a $606,463 contract with Modern Business Interiors, of St. Charles, Mo., to provide furniture for the common-use areas, classrooms and offices. The contract includes delivery and installation. Facilities fee revenue will provide the initial funding with reimbursement arriving from the Capital Development Board through an inter-agency agreement.
In a School of Engineering building project, the board gave project and budget approval to Phase II of the Student Project Design Center. The $1.2-million project cost is funded through private donations. It will include construction of additional faculty offices to accommodate growth, student design lab spaces, restrooms and a conference room on the building’s second floor.
In a bid to bolster its master’s of business administration (MBA) program, the SIUE School of Business has contracted with Academic Partnerships, LLC, of Dallas, for seven years to develop and grow an accelerated online MBA program. The goal is to build the program by at least 750 students over the life of the contract. The contract’s estimated cost is $6,907,681 during the seven-year period, and the cost will be funded from 50 percent of the tuition and fees derived from the newly enrolled students.
In the traditional recruitment of undergraduate students, University Marketing and Communications is renewing two contracts with current vendors. Burns and Associates Management, LLC (BAM), of Edwardsville, received a one-year, $757,270 contract with annual renewal options for four years to manage traditional media management and placement for television, radio, print, outdoor and sponsorship opportunities. BAM also serves as a media consultant for the SIUE Department of Intercollegiate Athletics and WSIE-FM Radio, 88.7 The Sound.
In addition, the board approved an initial one-year, $645,000 contract with annual renewal options for four years to ReelEyez Media, LLC, of St. Peters, Mo., to manage digital media buys, analyze various digital media opportunities and evaluate various emerging digital media.
For the SIU SDM, the board approved $150,000 in annual contracts to Biomet3i, Inc., of Palm Beach Gardens, Fla., and Dentsply Sirona, of Waltham, Mass., to purchase dental implant parts and supplies. It includes three one-year renewal options. The cost is funded by dental clinic operation funds.
The board also awarded a $400,000 one-year contract to Dental Arts Laboratory, Inc., of Peoria, for dental lab services. The contract contains three one-year renewal options. The cost is funded by dental clinic operation funds.