The Board gave its approval to issue contracts for engineering services and for renovation of the pool area. University officials told the Regents the renovation is necessary after the Southeast Missouri University Foundation sold a building at 221 N. Fountain Street that currently houses the University's Printing and Duplicating operations. Developers say the Fountain Street site will be used for parking in connection with the renovation of the Marquette Hotel, just across the street.

As part of the University's restructuring plans, the two copy centers currently located in Academic Hall and Dempster Hall will be consolidated with Printing and Duplicating in the new location in Parker. The number of employees will be reduced due to the consolidation, but customer service will be enhanced by locating operations central to the main campus.

"The consolidation will result in more efficient operations," said Dr. Ivy Locke, vice president for finance at Southeast.

Locke says Parker Pool was constructed in the mid-1960s and is difficult to maintain and keep in operation.

"It is not expected that it can continue to operate without major investment in the infrastructure in the near future," she said.

After an analysis of the structural integrity of the existing floor area, plans will be developed for locating Printing and Duplicating production and storage in the pool area and locating Printing and Duplicating office support, copying operations and a customer reception area on the first floor in the northeast classroom/office suite area. This space will be available after faculty move as a result of merging of academic departments in the academic restructuring plan.

Renovation of the pool area is expected to cost $400,000. Funding for the project will come from three sources: $100,000 from the sale of the Fountain Street property; $200,000 from the Printing and Duplicating Auxiliary Fund Balance; and $100,000 from the Energy Performance Contract.

Locke said the Parker Building location for the printing operations was deemed less expensive than the alternative of constructing a new building and more satisfactory than all other possible locations on he campus.