AUBURN — The Auburn University Board of Trustees held its third meeting of the 2024 calendar year this morning at the Auburn University Hotel.
Notable topics discussed during the meeting included renovations to the Athletics Complex for Sports Medicine, renovations to event space in the north endzone of Jordan-Hare Stadium and tuition and fees for the 2025-2026 academic year.
The renovation of the Athletics Complex for Sports Medicine would give the department, currently housed in the Plainsman Park Strength and Rehabilitation Center and the volleyball facility at Neville Arena, approximately 15,000 square feet of space. The project would cost about $9 million.
Dr. Michael Goodlett, Auburn Athletics' chief medical officer and team physician, believes this renovated facility will benefit the University's Sports Medicine Department for years to come.
"My goal for 32 years has been to provide comprehensive, world-class medical, orthopedic and mental health services to our student-athletes," Goodlett said. "This facility will help us to centralize those services as well as expand those services. I would like to thank the board, Dr. (Chris) Roberts, John Cohen and Athletics for allowing us to do what we do."
"We try to be a 24/7 safety net for our student-athletes and this new facility will help us enhance the care that we provide," he added.
The next notable topic discussed at the meeting was renovations to the north endzone facility at Jordan-Hare Stadium. These renovations would add premium seating, modern amenities and concessions on game day.
Additionally, these renovations would equip the facility with meeting rooms and multipurpose event spaces that could be used year-round.
“We are profoundly grateful to Robin and Reid for their generosity, leadership and commitment to Auburn,” athletics director John Cohen said. “Their transformational gift represents an investment that will yield generational returns. The Doves’ dedication to Auburn serves as an example to all who believe in Auburn and love it.”
Auburn University president Chris Roberts also believes in the benefits this facility would provide.
“I continue to be amazed by the commitment and generosity of the Auburn Family in helping to advance our university,” Roberts said. “The Dove family gift is a crucial catalyst in helping to commence the north end zone project. Their visionary support will assist in facilitating the opening of Jordan-Hare stadium to additional students and campus activities during the week as well as Auburn football fans on gamedays.”
Another topic discussed at the meeting was tuition prices for the 2025-2026 academic year. The board approved a 3% increase in prices.
Kelli Shomaker, Auburn University's senior vice president for business and administration and chief financial officer, believes this increase will benefit the student experience without significantly increasing financial stress.
"These resources, which is about $13 million in net revenue for AU (Auburn University) and about $2 million for AUM (Auburn University at Montgomery), will enable Auburn and AUM to maximize the impact of our land-grant mission to provide exceptional instruction, life-enhancing research and services to our fellow Alabamaians," Shomaker said.
The Auburn University Board of Trustees' next meeting, the final meeting of the 2024 calendar year, will be held on November 15.
To connect with the author of this story or to comment, email daniel.locke@1819news.com.
Don't miss out! Subscribe to our newsletter and get our top stories every weekday morning.
