The next step in the renovation and expansion of the Erb Memorial Union will come before the Executive and Audit Committee of the Board of Trustees during its Feb. 9 meeting, when the panel will be asked to authorize the university to consider proposals for food and beverage providers in the newly renovated and redesigned student union.

“We are very excited about the progress toward the selection of food and beverage vendors for the newly renovated EMU,” Laurie Woodward, director of the EMU, said of the contract discussions underway. “The blend of offerings is a reflection of the feedback that we heard during our student outreach.”

Results from student feedback indicated a desire for a broad range of food and beverage offerings from national, regional and local companies and a mix of various fares to choose from.

“This renovation and expansion of the EMU has allowed us not only to increase the variety of offerings but created an opportunity to incorporate portability of campus meal plans,” Woodward said. “Several of the new vendors are expected to accept Campus Cash as a payment option.”

In addition to reviewing some of the proposed food vendor proposals, the board committee will authorize final planning and construction of the Jane Sanders Softball Stadium. The project is still in the early design phase, and is expected to be completely donor funded. The lead gift of $10 million dollars from Robert Sanders was announced last June.

The proposed new facility will increase the overall capacity for seating of 1,500 fans with the potential to accommodate another 1,000 temporary seats and will be both the practice and competition location for the UO softball team, current Pac-12 champions.

Also on the committee's agenda is a review of the external financial auditor contract, as well as employee contract renewals. The meeting is at 3 p.m. at the Ford Alumni Center, Room 402. It is open to the public.

Additional information including agenda and meeting material can be found on the Board of Trustees website.

—By Jenna McCulley, Public Affairs Communications