By Jeff Murphy,
January 31, 2022
The Unviersity of Central Missouri's Administration takes on an evening glow. For
more than a century, it has housed the offices of many campus leaders, including
the university president, who reports to the Board of Governors.
WARRENSBURG, MO 鈥 In its special plenary session Jan. 27, the University of Central
Missouri Board of Governors approved an increase in aviation fixed wing flight fees
and established an aviation fuel surcharge. This was in addition to authorizing an
agreement for on-call fence services, the naming of a space for future renovation
in the Lovinger Building, and approving updates for the university鈥檚 strategic plan.
During the work session and in the plenary session, board members heard presentations
from representatives of the UCM School of Aviation about efforts to help preserve
the continued efficiency and effectiveness of aviation operations and assets amid
rising costs, including aviation fuel which has climbed by 59 percent over the past
year. To continue to provide a self-supporting flight program and maintain the university鈥檚
fleet of training aircraft, the board approved the school鈥檚 proposal to raise the
hourly fixed wing rental costs by a rounded 6 percent for the Cessna 172R, Cessna
172S, Cessna 172P, Piper Super Cub, Schweizer, and the instructional charge. To further
stimulate greater usage of the Redbird and Frasca flight simulators, the hourly rate
for these simulators was reduced by an average of 50 percent, and a proposal to increase
the cost for training in the twin-engine Beechcraft Baron increased by 15 percent.
This higher rate for the Beechcraft was based on a cost analysis that revealed current
expenses related to operating the aircraft exceed the current hourly charge. Under
this new hourly rate structure the increases in fixed wing flight fees will range
from $2.06 to $51.50 per hour, depending on the type of airplane. The cost will be
$25 per hour for the Redbird simulator, and $50 per hour for the Frasca simulator.
Among other action items, the board approved naming the space that is currently the
gymnasium in the Lovinger Building to the Dr. Michael Hough Education and Counseling
Center. A $1 million private gift from alumnus Greg Thurman, 鈥74, and his wife, Carla
Thurman, of Franklin, Tennessee, will be used to make proposed renovations to the
facility. The board must provide formal approval of these upgrades before any work
takes place. The College of Education has proposed providing a complete conversion
into a state-of-the-art mixed鈥搖se facility to include the creation of counseling rooms,
a play therapy room, a studio lab for educational technology, multifunctional space,
faculty offices and a welcoming lobby with a nearby restrooms. Until the board's recent
action, this space did not have a formal name.
Also during the meeting, the board approved a one-year contract with C-R Fence, Concordia,
Missouri, to provide on-call fence repair and replacement services on an as-needed
basis, effective Feb.1. The contract includes four one-year renewals.