Discussions of student fees for the planned recreation center topped the Board of Governors meeting Oct. 20.

“(We want to) start this fee before the facility is complete,” said Dwight Douglas, Board president.

Douglas said the University is ready to “aggressively” move forward with the recreation center with looking into a $12 million bid proposal.

“We want to move this project along,” he said.

The Board is looking into a three-gym facility at the cost of $13.5 million. Douglas said the student fees would cover $11 million of the recreation center project with $110 to $115 for full-time students and $50 for part-time students. This is on a semester basis.

“I see no problem with that at all,” said Eric Norris, student representative. “The fee structure looks good.”

Norris said there needs to be a way to regulate the use of the recreation center for part-time students. He also said he suggested an alumni membership for those who did not get to use the center when they were students. Douglas said he would like to keep discussions going with students regarding the recreation center and student fees.

Also discussed at the Board meeting:

The Mission Hills Mansion restoration project is almost complete, said Dr. Terri Agee, vice president for business affairs, with tiling replacement and installing copper guttering.

“It’s looking fantastic,” she said.

Improvements will also be made to Plaster Hall, formerly Matthews Hall. This will include masonry to the north side to create a 1,200-square-foot portico. Agee said the project is set to begin in the next few months.

At the last Board meeting, a bid was approved to work with RDG Planning Design in Des Moines, Iowa, for the master plan design of Hughes Stadium. Agee said the group is coming in November to the University.

“Their primary goal is to see what our needs are,” she said.