Garrett Neese/Daily Mining Gazette Michigan Technological University President Richard Koubek discusses the revised cost estimate for the university’s new H-STEM building during Friday’s Board of Trustees meeting.

HOUGHTON — The Michigan Technological University Board of Trustees’ next meeting could see a ribbon-cutting for the new H-STEM building.

At its most recent meeting Friday, the board authorized the administration to begin the construction of the first phase of the H-STEM Engineering and Health Technologies Complex.

The cost is not to exceed the revised project budget of $53.1 million. Tech’s share will be $23.4 million, with the State Building Authority contributing $29,699,800 and the state general fund adding $200.

The state had approved a $44.7 million cost in December 2020. The overages will be paid by the university.

Chief Financial Officer Sue Kerry said the change was made to account for increased costs stemming from supply-chain issues and labor shortages.

“Our plan remains not to change the scope of this project, but rather to bring it in as close to the original budget as possible,” she said.

Moving to the new price in a short time was a “Herculean task,” President Richard Koubek said. He said the project is emblematic of what Tech has gone through during the pandemic.

“Even though when we got to the end, there were still more hiccups because of the pandemic and inflation, Tech overcame those as well,” he said.

He noted several other reasons for optimism ahead, including Tech moving down to Level 1 of its COVID safety protocols, and increases over last year’s record freshman enrollment, research awards and endowment giving.

In other action, the board:

— Increased the Experience Tech fee to $99 per spring and fall semester for undergraduate students and $80 for graduate students. The respective increase is $3 and $2 per semester over the previous rate, last changed in fall 2021.

— Approved residence hall room and dining rates for Douglass Houghton Hall, McNair Hall, Wadsworth Hall, Hillside Place, and rental rates for Daniell Heights apartments and University houses for Fiscal Year 2023. The new rates include a 3.47% increase for the standard double occupancy rate in Wadsworth and McNair.

— Approved a master of science degree in manufacturing engineering. Provost Jacqueline Huntoon said the program is designed to be flexible and attract people currently working in the industry who come from a wide range of undergraduate backgrounds. Working students will be able to complete a project approved by their employer. With the board approval, it advances to the state academic officers.

— Recognized Jiann-Yang (Jim) Hwang for 38 years of service at Tech. He is a material science and engineering professor.

— Granted professor emeritus status to Dr. CK Shene of the Department of Computer Science.

— Approved a section in the faculty handbook on the role of diversity, equity and inclusion.

“Having a clear statement that the university values but does not require such efforts makes it clear that individuals who engage in such activities should not be penalized during reviews conducted for the purposes of tenure promotion or reappointment,” Huntoon said.

— Approved a section in the faculty handbook on the role of innovation and commercialization. That section also states there should be no adverse effects for faculty involved in those activities. Huntoon said having such a statement “is valuable in recruiting and retaining outstanding faculty who have an interest in developing ideas with potential for future commercial viability.”