SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 11

(By Senators Kimble, Walker, Buckalew and Sprouse)




Requesting the Joint Standing Committee on Education to make a study of the need for construction of a state-of-the-art multipurpose facility for West Virginia State College.

Whereas, The Governor A. B. Fleming Hall on the campus of West Virginia State College was built in 1941 to house the physical education and athletic programs of the institution; and
Whereas, The enrollment of the college was 996 students at the time Fleming Hall opened in 1941; and
Whereas, Fleming Hall currently supports the 1997-98 college enrollment of 4,603 students; and
Whereas, The 57-year old building is no longer a suitable facility in which to perform several of the major functions contained in the college's mission; and
Whereas, There have been few steps taken over the last 57 years to mitigate hazards in the aging structure; and
Whereas, This inadequate facility could have a negative impact on the college's accreditation and the continuation of the accreditation of academic programs housed in the facility; and
Whereas, A new facility would enhance student educational outcomes in accordance with Senate Bill No. 547; and
Whereas, All public colleges and universities in the state of West Virginia have had at least one multipurpose building constructed within the last 57 years, with the exception of West Virginia State College; and
Whereas, The construction of a new multipurpose facility at West Virginia State College will allow the college to set better standards for excellence that all students at the institution are deserving of as West Virginia residents; and
Whereas, The members of the 1998 West Virginia Legislature express our understanding of their plight; therefore, be it
Resolved by the Legislature of West Virginia:
That the Joint Standing Committee on Education is hereby requested to review, examine and study the feasibility of building a state-of-the-art multipurpose facility on the campus of West Virginia State College and report its finding to the Joint Committee on Government and Finance on or before the Interim Session of 1998, and to make recommendations to the Legislature regarding the same; and, be it
Further Resolved, That the expenses necessary to conduct this study, to prepare a report and to draft necessary legislation be paid from legislative appropriations to the Joint Standing Committee on Education.