2008 Woodie Awards
University contemplates purchase of Paducah land
Amanda Crider
Issue date: 8/22/08 Section: News
Amanda Crider
Staff writer
Murray State officials are considering the purchase of a $1 million piece of property to build a new, larger Paducah extended campus.
In July, University officials paid $50,000 for an option to buy the 23-acre property within the next six months. The deal also includes an optional three-month extension for an additional $25,000.
Currently, Murray State's extended campus in Paducah is located at the Crisp Center, a renovated Pepsi facility that is landlocked.
Deputy to the President Josh Jacobs said a new Paducah extended campus is needed for Murray State to best serve the region.
"The task we have at Murray State from the Legislature is the (12,000 students by 2012) enrollment goal," Jacobs said. "To reach that goal, we have to come up with a way to extend service to all kinds of students. … We have to address the needs of non-traditional students and one way to do that is to go where they are."
Jacobs said although this proposal is occurring in the middle of a tight budget year, he believes it is the right move.
"It's an investment," Jacobs said. "We're working constantly for financial approvals and priorities through the state legislature, but if we didn't act at this time, the property would have been sold and we would have been stuck. Property on the highway does not come open that often, I would venture to guess."
The decision, however, is ultimately up to the Board of Regents.
Faculty Regent Jay Morgan, professor of agriculture, said making the purchase is a big decision and should be weighed carefully.
"I'm looking at a couple of things," Morgan said. "I'm looking at this and deciding is this right for Murray State's future. … Then I look at logistics and details. The devil is sometimes in the details."
Morgan said his biggest concern is ensuring Murray State uses its finances wisely.
"Obviously, we're in a very tight financial time," Morgan said. "With that, I want to make sure that the $1 million the president wants to spend is the most bang for the buck. Even though $1 million isn't a lot of money, it is a lot of money. … I want to hear all the options and all the pros and cons before I cast my vote."
As Student Government Association President and Student Regent Kara Mantooth will be a part of the land purchase decision.
"Obviously, you have to weigh the pros and cons," Mantooth said. "We tried to do that this summer and it seems like this is what Murray State needs to serve the region. I think maybe in the beginning there were concerns, … but I think all of those have been taken care of."
The Board of Regents will meet Sept. 12 to hear a report from the task force assigned to analyze the land purchase. The Board may choose to then act on the proposal or postpone the decision until its Nov. 14 meeting. If no action is taken in November, Murray State will either lose the original $50,000 or purchase a three-moth extension for an additional $25,000. Both the $50,000 and the $25,000 will go toward the $1 million price tag of the property should Murray State choose to make the purchase.
Amanda Crider can be reached at amanda.crider@murraystate.
edu.
Staff writer
Murray State officials are considering the purchase of a $1 million piece of property to build a new, larger Paducah extended campus.
In July, University officials paid $50,000 for an option to buy the 23-acre property within the next six months. The deal also includes an optional three-month extension for an additional $25,000.
Currently, Murray State's extended campus in Paducah is located at the Crisp Center, a renovated Pepsi facility that is landlocked.
Deputy to the President Josh Jacobs said a new Paducah extended campus is needed for Murray State to best serve the region.
"The task we have at Murray State from the Legislature is the (12,000 students by 2012) enrollment goal," Jacobs said. "To reach that goal, we have to come up with a way to extend service to all kinds of students. … We have to address the needs of non-traditional students and one way to do that is to go where they are."
Jacobs said although this proposal is occurring in the middle of a tight budget year, he believes it is the right move.
"It's an investment," Jacobs said. "We're working constantly for financial approvals and priorities through the state legislature, but if we didn't act at this time, the property would have been sold and we would have been stuck. Property on the highway does not come open that often, I would venture to guess."
The decision, however, is ultimately up to the Board of Regents.
Faculty Regent Jay Morgan, professor of agriculture, said making the purchase is a big decision and should be weighed carefully.
"I'm looking at a couple of things," Morgan said. "I'm looking at this and deciding is this right for Murray State's future. … Then I look at logistics and details. The devil is sometimes in the details."
Morgan said his biggest concern is ensuring Murray State uses its finances wisely.
"Obviously, we're in a very tight financial time," Morgan said. "With that, I want to make sure that the $1 million the president wants to spend is the most bang for the buck. Even though $1 million isn't a lot of money, it is a lot of money. … I want to hear all the options and all the pros and cons before I cast my vote."
As Student Government Association President and Student Regent Kara Mantooth will be a part of the land purchase decision.
"Obviously, you have to weigh the pros and cons," Mantooth said. "We tried to do that this summer and it seems like this is what Murray State needs to serve the region. I think maybe in the beginning there were concerns, … but I think all of those have been taken care of."
The Board of Regents will meet Sept. 12 to hear a report from the task force assigned to analyze the land purchase. The Board may choose to then act on the proposal or postpone the decision until its Nov. 14 meeting. If no action is taken in November, Murray State will either lose the original $50,000 or purchase a three-moth extension for an additional $25,000. Both the $50,000 and the $25,000 will go toward the $1 million price tag of the property should Murray State choose to make the purchase.
Amanda Crider can be reached at amanda.crider@murraystate.
edu.
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