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0 of 3 Premium Clicks used this month SUBSCRIBE Print + Online Subscriber Activation | Register x Forgot Password | Need an Account? subscribe | newsletter | deals Classifieds Jobs Autos Real Estate FEATURED » NEWS NOW The Democracy Project at SOU: An Opportunity for Learning and Leadership ... Rail crossing work to close Walker Avenue Friday night through Monday morning ... Quills & Queues: The not-so-empty nest ... The Democracy Project at SOU: An Opportunity for Learning and Leadership ... Rail crossing work to close Walker Avenue Friday night through Monday morning ... Quills & Queues: The not-so-empty nest ... SOUTHERN OREGON UNIVERSITY Trustees OK pavilion project expansion Also approve exploring extension of president's contract Comment By John Darling For The Tidings DailyTidings.com By John Darling For The Tidings Posted Sep. 1, 2015 at 8:09 PM By John Darling For The Tidings Posted Sep. 1, 2015 at 8:09 PM » Social News The Southern Oregon University Board of Trustees of OK’d a $3 million increase in the massive McNeal Pavilion rehabilitation project at a special meeting Tuesday, and decided to look into extending the contract of university President Roy Saigo.  The adjustment in the pavilion project budget goes to cover relocation of the SOU fitness center from under Raider Stadium to the new Student Recreation Center to be built next to McNeal Pavilion. That center is to be paid for by future student fees.  The unanimous vote of the board enables SOU Vice President for Finance & Administration Craig Morris to move forward with contractors and architects on plans to increase the scope of the project, said Ryan Brown, SOU spokesman. Under the previous design, the athletic complex lacked sufficient locker room and office space for academic and athletic staff. The project will take 1.5 years and will happen along with the $21.8 million upgrade of McNeal, which will improve seismic safety, disabled access and general issues related to aging of the facility. That funding was approved by the Legislature in 2014. The board also voted unanimously to move forward on looking into a one-year extension of Saigo's two-year contract, which currently expires June 30, 2016.  Board members discussed the length of time it takes to do a nationwide search for a new president due to its complexity, and how that time window is now limited. Tuesday's vote, said Brown, supports exploration of the extension among constituent groups, including faculty, staff, students and the governor’s office. The vote was not a vote to extend the contract but only a go-ahead to gather information for a vote of the Board of Trustees, whose sole purview it is, says Brown. Comments expressed about Saigo were all positive, he adds. John Darling is an Ashland freelance writer. Reach him at [email protected]. By John Darling For The Tidings DailyTidings.com By John Darling For The Tidings Posted Sep. 1, 2015 at 8:09 PM » Comment or view comments Reader Reaction » STAY INFORMED Email NewsLetter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Southern Oregon Directory Featured Businesses Loading... Business Name address Location, ST | website.com Find Southern Oregon Attractions Bars Restaurants Beauty Salons Entertainment Doctors Medical Specialists Contractors Education Lawn Services Lawyers Shopping Travel Tanning Used Cars Wedding Services ▼ Add your business here + Events Calendar Connect with DailyTidings.com Facebook Twitter RSS Back to top Reader Services Reader Services home Subscriptions Subscriber controls Contact us Submissions Photos Events Letters to the editor Corrections Alerts Email alerts RSS feeds Text Alerts Advertise Media Kit Home Products and services Ad rates Advertising contacts Propel Marketing Mail Tribune Daily Tidings The Nickel Shop Our Valley Blogs Mobile Site Stay Informed Email newsletter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Your privacy is important, read our privacy policy. © Copyright 2015 Local Media Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms of Service | Local Media Group Publications Original content available for non-commercial use under a Creative Commons license, except where noted. DailyTidings.com | P.O. Box 1108, Medford, OR 97501