MOSCOW – The State Board of Education appointed a new president at Eastern Idaho Technical College and approved a new name for Boise State University’s Pavilion.
The State Board of Education appointed William Robertson as the president of EITC. Robertson has served as interim president since June 2003. Robertson has been on staff at EITC for 32 years and worked as the dean of administration, director of student services and a vocational counselor. He has a master’s degree in guidance and counseling and a bachelor’s degree in sociology, both from Idaho State University. His salary will be $101, 750 a year.
“William Robertson has provided outstanding leadership for Eastern Idaho Technical College,” said Rod Lewis, State Board of Education President. “Due to Bill’s performance as interim president over the last year, we didn’t feel it was necessary to look any further for a permanent president.”
The Board also unanimously backed Boise State University’s proposal to rename the BSU Pavilion to the “Taco Bell Arena.” The 15 year, $4 million deal will benefit scholarships and cover operational costs at the facility. For its sponsorship, Taco Bell will get tickets to events conducted at the site, as well as publicity through the use of its logo throughout the arena. The Pavilion’s website will also change to http://www.tacobellarena.com.
In other business:
The State Board adopted a comprehensive alcohol policy for colleges and universities on a vote of 6 to 2. Previous Board rule outlawed any consumption of alcohol on campus and required institutions to come before the Board for waivers. According to the new Board approved policy, college and university presidents could authorize alcohol consumption for a specific event or activity on campus pursuant to a permitting process and associated guidelines. The new policy is designed to give university presidents the flexibility to determine which events merit a permit for the consumption of alcohol, allowing colleges and universities to manage the delivery of alcohol responsibly. The policy does not authorize permits for alcohol at student athletic events. College and university presidents can still come to the State Board for additional waivers for specific events not within the policy.
“This policy is important because we didn’t have clear rules or guidelines that would help control, contain and manage the delivery and consumption of alcohol on campus,” said Lewis. “The policy is the first step to the responsible use of alcohol on our college campuses.”
The State Board authorized Boise State University to work with the Division of Public Works to select and contract with an architect to plan and design the Health, Wellness and Counseling Services Center Project. Money for the project will come from student fees collected beginning in the fall, 2004.
Idaho State University can continue to negotiate with the University of Idaho Foundation to purchase 26 acres of land, the Fred Tingey Administration Building, and the land on which the Center for Higher Education and the Idaho State University’s Sam Bennion Student Building are situated at University Place in Idaho Falls. Once negotiations are completed, the State Board must approve final documentation and the associated financing package.
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