The regents will forward their budget to the state Office of Planning and Budget for inclusion in the state budget to be submitted to the 1999 General Assembly. The regents' budget is only a request, and can be modified by the governor-elect or the legislature before final approval in the state budget. Planned for a site near the intersection of Baxter and Lumpkin streets, the center will include classrooms, advanced teaching technology and space for library access and student activities. The regents also approved UGA's plan for a privately funded facility to house programs in the division of external affairs. The center will be headquarters for the National Alumni Association and the UGA Foundation, and include space for the offices of development, alumni relations and university communications.
Preliminary plans are for the deck to be near the student-learning center.
The regents are seeking a total 5 percent salary increase for university system personnel. A 4 percent merit raise has been suggested by the Office of Planning and Budget, but the regents have included an additional 1 percent as part of their enhancement package. President Adams was instrumental in the pay-increase decision. Adams represented the presidents of the 34 university system schools in making the case for the raise. Adams and system Chancellor Stephen Portch said the increase will help the system to continue attracting top faculty and in addition will help move faculty salaries closer to the national average.