The University System Board of Regents approved Tuesday a $1.7 billion, six-year building plan at its monthly meeting at the University of West Georgia.

The plan, which will be revisited annually for revision based on budget constraints, will award UWG $57.9 million for projects beginning in 2009.

UWG will receive $2 million for northwest campus infrastructure, $20.3 million for the Nursing Building, $22.7 for an expansion of the biology laboratory, $1.8 million to create a design for renovations of the laboratory. Another $11.1 will be available for renovation of the campus library.

UWG President Beheruz Sethna said the improvements are desperately needed at the university.

“We need buildings,” he said. “Our buildings have served us well. They’re good buildings, but we are just behind the curve in terms of our capacity needs.”

UWG, which had a record enrollment this year, is already adding a football field using private funds and broke ground on a health and wellness center that was approved by the board in 2004.

The new projects will begin in 2009 with the northwest campus infrastructure, which is a renewal of previously approved dollars for a bridge connecting the campus to new property donated to the university by Carrollton. The new property gives UWG the potential to double its enrollment capacity - but without added buildings, teachers and roads, it is only potential, Sethna said.

“If we are to continue to do the great work that my colleagues have been doing, we do need more help,” he said.

The board also heard a report from President of Valdosta State University Ron Zaccari recommending changes to the academic advising process to increase the quality at all university institutions.

Zaccari has been heading a task force studying the academic advising processes at universities throughout the state.

“Our recommendations of this task force will require some cultural transformation on our campuses,” he said. “Right now, we’re doing things a little bit differently.”

The task force made recommendations to be applied to a university’s existing advisement system including adopting a mission statement for advisement, mandating all undergraduate students to see an advisor before registering, developing an online advising handbook and posting an advising structure consistent for all departments. The task force also recommended that all departments post an academic advising plan and a two-year course schedule for both students and teachers to access.

The task force suggested that academic training should be provided for all advisors and recommended that systemwide technology should be provided to improve the advisement process. It also recommended assessing the advising system and the advisors’ effectiveness each year.