The board will vote on planning authorization for construction of three projects, including space improvements to Holden Hall.

The board is expected to discuss new paint and furniture in lobbies, floor lounge areas, student rooms and corridors for the residence hall.

The improvements also will include new lighting in corridors, security access system enhancements, updates to Sparty’s Convenience Store and improvements to traffic patterns on entrances to the building, according to the board recommendation.

Preliminary costs are estimated at $5.7 million and are expected to be funded by Housing & Food Services.

MSU planning inspector Bill Whitbeck acknowledged the item was on the agenda, but declined to comment until after the board meeting.

West Circle Complex

The board also will vote whether to authorize procedure for the first phase of improvements to West Circle Housing Complex. Those improvements include water capacity enhancement, electrical substation replacement and the repair of steam distribution lines, which are deteriorating.

Construction is planned to begin in March 2008, with substantial completion set for October 2009 and final completion in April 2010. Preliminary costs were budgeted for $7.5 million out of the general fund, but were increased to $10.3 million.

“Costs change,” MSU Board of Trustees Chairman Joel Ferguson said. “These are all estimates.”

Trustee George Perles said that ideally, outside sources could contribute to offset the difference.

Presidential compensation

Trustees said the board also will discuss compensation for MSU President Lou Anna K. Simon, who currently makes $495,000 per year.

Simon received a $70,000 pay raise in December of 2006. Simon received an $85,000 pay raise in January of 2006, but donated the $85,000 raise back to the university.

“That says a lot,” Trustee Dorothy Gonzales said. “She’s got the school pretty high up there on her list.”

Trustees were hesitant to discuss Simon’s salary before the meeting, but spoke highly of her performance this year.

“I certainly think she’s doing a fine job, and we’ll talk about that (in the meeting),” Perles said. “All I can say is that she’s doing an excellent job.”

Land donations

The board will vote on whether to accept a nine-acre donation of land from Pfizer Inc. in Holland, Mich., which would be used for research.

The building on the property includes a 138,000 square-foot facility with 37,000 liters of chemical reactor capacity, laboratories with support for 100 researchers, an auditorium, library and offices.

Pfizer also has agreed, through its own expense, to prepare the utilities on the property for MSU use.

“People give money for different reasons,” Gonzales said. “That was very kind of them to do that for MSU. It’s great when someone helps with the costs.”