Slippery Rock University will submit for state approval three renovation projects costing $98 million, SRU’s Council of Trustees decided during a quarterly meeting Friday, March 22.

The projects would unfold in the coming years and would include renovations to Morrow Field House at $48.3 million, renovations to the McKay Education Building at $26.6 million and renovations to the Eisenberg Classroom Building at $23.1 million.

All three buildings are in need of repairs and are outdated, according to a funding justification document.

Morrow Field House, which houses athletic department administrative offices, faculty offices and classrooms, also hosts convocation and commencement ceremonies, events and conferences.

The document states the building, which was constructed in 1959, has several deficiencies, including outdated HVAC and plumbing systems and locker rooms that “are in poor condition” and not fully compliant with regulations set forth in the Americans with Disabilities Act.

Additionally, “the indoor and outdoor track surfaces are starting to fail,” the document stated.

According to the university, the McKay Education Building, which was constructed in 1929 as a K-12 facility, has not undergone “significant renovations” in the past 25 years and is “not conducive to the academic needs of higher education.”

“Student surveys consistently indicate that the existing state of McKay is inadequate for learning and in need of renovations,” the document stated.

As for the Eisenberg Classroom Building, constructed in 1969, the university is projecting a “total building renovation.”

Trustees agreed to add the renovation projects to the university’s capital budget, a request that must be approved by the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education during the board of governors meeting in July.

According to Justin Zackal, interim assistant director of communications, capital budget submissions are discussed and approved almost annually for projects to be considered by the Pennsylvania Department of General Services.

“Even if the projects and funding are approved, work would not begin until the year or possibly years after the funding is released by the (Department of General Services),” Zackal stated. “These projects are essential to maintaining and improving the facilities that enable our students to learn and our faculty and staff to fulfill our mission.”

On Friday, trustees also voted to increase student fees associated with housing and meal services, as well as access to the recreation complex and student center by about $270.

According to the university, fees for “student recreation, the student center and traditional housing have remained the same for the last nine years.” The increase to the dining service meal plan will be the first since 2017-18.

The price increases will go into effect beginning in the 2024-25 academic year:

— Recreation complex: $20 per semester (18%) for the first increase since 2013-14.

— Student center: $10.50 per semester (4.99%) for the first increase since 2015-16.

— Dining services meal plan: $70 per semester for a 14-meals-a-week plan (5.22%) for the first increase since 2017-18.

— Traditional housing room rates: $35 per semester (2%) for the first increase since 2015-16.

“Each of these auxiliary operations provide an important service that enhances the student experience on campus,” said Carrie Birckbichler, vice president for finance and administration, in a news release. “This first increase in the past several years is necessary because operating budgets are now being strained by inflationary pressures as expenses continue to rise.”

Fee increase requests were presented to the Slippery Rock Student Government Association in February, and the organization voted to support fee increases before they were approved by trustees.