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0 of 3 Premium Clicks used this month SUBSCRIBE Print + Online Subscriber Activation | Register x Forgot Password | Need an Account? e-edition | subscribe | newsletter | deals Classifieds Jobs Autos Real Estate FEATURED » NEWS NOW Beach bacteria thresholds may tighten ... Our View: Who politicized the UCC shootings? Not Obama ... View from 100,000 feet ... Beach bacteria thresholds may tighten ... Our View: Who politicized the UCC shootings? Not Obama ... View from 100,000 feet ... HIGHER EDUCATION SOU board agrees to $3 million expansion of McNeal Pavilion project Trustees also vote to consider extending contract of university president Comment By John Darling for the Mail Tribune MailTribune.com By John Darling for the Mail Tribune Posted Sep. 2, 2015 at 11:57 AM By John Darling for the Mail Tribune Posted Sep. 2, 2015 at 11:57 AM » Social News The Southern Oregon University Board of Trustees approved a $3 million increase in the massive McNeal Pavilion rehabilitation project at a special meeting Tuesday, and agreed to consider 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 Craig Morris, SOU's vice president for finance and administration, to move forward with contractors and architects on plans to increase the scope of the project, said Ryan Brown, SOU spokesman. University officials said under the previous design, the athletic complex lacked sufficient locker room and office space for academic and athletic staff. The added project will take 18 months to complete and will occur along with the $21.8 million upgrade of McNeal. The overall project, which was funded by the Legislature in 2014, is intended to improve seismic safety, disabled access and general issues related to aging of the facility. The board also voted unanimously to consider a one-year extension of Saigo's two-year contract, which currently expires June 30, 2016. Saigo was hired in 2014 as interim president following the departure of Mary Cullinan, who resigned to become president at Eastern Washington University. 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 contract 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 Mail Tribune MailTribune.com By John Darling for the Mail Tribune Posted Sep. 2, 2015 at 11:57 AM » 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 MailTribune.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 Announcements Obituaries Story ideas Since you asked 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. MailTribune.com | P.O. Box 1108, Medford, OR 97501