MBU Trustees eye additional student housing
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Bryce Chapman
Director of University Communications
(314) 744-7631
chapmanb@mobap.edu
MBU Trustees eye additional student housing
Missouri Baptist University Trustees addressed the need for additional student housing while hearing exceptional fiscal and enrollment news at their regularly scheduled meeting Thursday, Nov. 17.
Prompted by a continued surge in traditional undergraduate enrollment, MBU trustees voted unanimously to commission University administrators with the task of immediately laying the groundwork for new student housing. The proposed housing construction will be the second phase to Spartan VIllage, which opened this fall with two apartment-style facilities that house 40 students.
Setting an all-time record, the University's total enrollment for the fall 2011 semester is 5,186. Main campus undergraduate enrollment increased by 7.6 percent from last year. The number of students living in University housing rose by 33 percent. About 285 students are living in University housing, an increase of 70 compared to last year's number. As a result, nearly 30 students are living off campus in University-leased apartments.
The Board of Trustees received news of an affirmative fiscal audit. Representatives from the auditing firm Clifton Gunderson, ranked as one of the nation's largest certified public accounting firms, reported that the University's change in net assets for the 2010-2011 year exceeded $4.1 million. In addition, the firm found that the University's internal auditing controls were in good operating order and are in full accordance with all governmental accounting standards.
In other news:
. The Board approved the offering of the undergraduate Ministry and Leadership degree and the graduate program in Master of Arts in Christian Ministry in an online format. Both programs have long been offered in a traditional format.
. The Board adopted a five-year, University-wide strategic plan. The 200-page living document, which outlines a plan to advance the University from 2011-2016, assesses the University's current state while providing distinctive strategies to achieve goals and mission.
. The Board approved resolutions of appreciation for World Wide Technologies, Lois Waltrip, Harris and Lucille Meacham and members of the President's Club for generous contributions to the University.
. The Board received a follow up regarding the dedication of the new Carl and Deloris Petty Sports and Recreation Complex (SRC) before adjourning for lunch in the SRC's Spartan Great Hall.
Missouri Baptist University is a Christ-centered university located in Saint Louis. MBU offers more than 40 undergraduate degrees, graduate degrees in education, business and religion and its new terminal degree, the Doctor of Education. In addition to its 66-acre West St. Louis County campus, MBU offers degree programs at nine regional learning centers throughout St. Louis and in Southern Illinois and online. For more information, go to http://www.mobap.edu or call 1- 877-434-1115.
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