As shovels stand ready to break ground for the new Textbook Rental Service Center, the Board of Trustees is pushing forward to approve a purchase of high-technology systems for the facility.

They will meet at 1 p.m. today in the Grand Ballroom of the Martin Luther King Jr. University Union.

A radio frequency identification self-checkout system and an automated material handling system will be purchased from Techlogic in White Bear Lake, Minn., for no more than $750,000 after being selected from four bidders.

“From my understanding, both of these systems will solve problems and streamline efficiency in Textbook Rental, which has been needed for quite some time,” said Jill Nilsen, vice president for external relations. “Lost books, checking in and out, the long lines – all those things should be solved as we incorporate these systems.”

Techlogic will provide hardware, systems, application software, design, integration support, delivery, installation, and training and development.

It will also provide ongoing support for technological issues while the systems are in use.

Funds will come from local funds.

The board approved a bid by Felmley-Dickerson to construct the new facility off Edgar Drive, near Greek Court, for $2,847,234 on Nov. 21.

Since its approval, construction fences have formed around the site and minor foundation work has begun.

The new facility should be available for the spring 2010 semester.

In other construction plans, President Bill Perry and Provost Blair Lord will be presenting information on the progress of the new Student Success Center, located off of Ninth Street.

“The center should be an interesting point of the president’s report, marking its progress and highlighting its importance to the campus,” Nilsen said.

The center was planned after Eastern received an institutional development grant for the U.S. Department of Education for $1.8 million over five years in 2006.

The grant provides funds for construction, endowment and operation of the facility.

The center’s purpose and how plans are developing should be presented to the board.

Artist’s renderings can be found at Eastern’s Web site under the search term “Student Success Center.”

The center has been in operation for one year in Room 1125, McAfee Gym, its temporary location.

In other action items, the board will move to approve the appointment of Paul McCann, interim vice president for business affairs, as the representative to Illinois Public Higher Education Cooperative.

The cooperative works with its representatives to coordinate cooperative purchasing for bulk items such as paper to receive lower prices.

Jeff Cooley, the former vice president for business affairs, formerly held the title as representative. McCann would also take on the responsibility of state purchasing officer for Eastern, a position Cooley also held.

Krystal Moya can be reached at 581-7942 or at [email protected].