A total of nearly $30 million was approved for various projects including dormitory renovations and a new dining facility for Sam Houston State at the university’s Board of Regents meeting Friday in Beaumont. The board approved preliminary plans by Watkins Hamilton Ross Architects, Inc. of Houston for the $18 million renovation and addition to the Farrington Science Building. The work is projected to begin in September 2003, with a projected completion date of June 2005. The board approved the employment of LAN/Leo A. Daly of Houston to design a complex for baseball and softball that will also house a dressing room and an athletic center. The facility, which is expected to cost about $4 million, will be located between Bowers Stadium and Sycamore Street. Construction is expected to begin in September 2003, with a projected completion date of June 2005. The board also approved the employment of Courtney Harper & Partners of Houston to design the renovation of the eight residence halls of Sorority Hill. This project is expected to be completed in the summer of 2003, and will cost about $1.2 million. The board also approved the renovation of Jackson Shaver Hall at an estimated cost of $2 million. This renovation will cause Jackson Shaver to be out of service for the summer and fall of 2003. Dr. Frank Krystyniak, director of university advancement for SHSU, said there would probably be a minor shortage of space for students that want to live in a residence hall while Jackson Shaver is being renovated. “However, we need to get those spaces up to quality living standards for students,” he said.Krystyniak said most older dorms have been through the renovation process, and (the university) tries to space the projects out to where it’s not all being done at the same time.Plans were approved for the South Campus Dining Facility, with an estimated cost of $2 million for construction. Construction is expected to begin in February 2003, with a projected completion date of October 2003. Brown Reynolds Watford Architects of College Station prepared the design of the dining facility. Preliminary plans for a $1.25 million addition to the Teacher Education Center was approved. This addition will house a counseling center and offices for a new doctorate in counseling education. The project is expected to begin in June 2003 and is completion is expected by July 2004. PDG Architects of Houston prepared the design of the structure.The board also approved preliminary plans for renovations to the Newton Gresham Library. The renovation will be for the reconfiguration the Learning Assistance Area for offices and extra storage space for archival material. The project cost is estimated at $800,000, and construction is expected to begin in June 2003, with a projected completion date of December 2003. A contract was awarded to Intex United of Houston for construction of campus signage at a cost of $447,000. Krystyniak said the signs constructed would include display boards with maps of the campus, signs with directions posted on them and signs that label the parking lots more clearly. He said there would also be signs constructed at the entrances to campus so the campus will have a more unified look. Construction of the signs will begin January 2003, and will be completed prior to the 2003 fall semester.