Board Authorizes Change in Aviation Flight Fees, Naming of Building Space

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 – 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’s 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’s fleet of training aircraft, the board approved the school’s 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, ’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–use 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.