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MEETING OF THE
WINTHROP UNIVERSITY BOARD OF TRUSTEES
Minutes of Meeting of the Winthrop University
Board of Trustees
November 5, 1999
Members present:
David White (Chair), E. Thomas Crowson, Larry Durham, Bob
Gahagan,
Sanita Savage Frazier, Anne K. Hall, A. Watts Huckabee, Mary
Anne Lake,
Mary Jean Ligon, Jane Shuler, Bob Thompson, Skip Tuttle, and
Anthony J.
DiGiorgio (ex officio)
Representatives:
Tom Moore, Faculty Conference Chair
Mamie C. Bush, Student Government Association
President
Members absent:
None
Staff present:
Brien Lewis, Secretary to the Board
Guests present:
Kathryn Holten, students, faculty, staff, and media
representatives
Call to Order
David White called the meeting to order at 1:00 p.m.
Approval of Board Minutes of June 11, 1999
Skip Tuttle moved, seconded by Bob Thompson, to approve the
minutes of the Board meeting of June 11, 1999 as presented.
The motion passed unanimously.
Introduction of Larry Durham
Chairman White introduced newly designated Trustee Larry
Durham and welcomed him to the Board.
Resolution to Honor Kathryn Holten for Meritorious Service to
Winthrop University
Chairman White offered the Resolution in the form of a
Motion from the Executive Committee and it passed unanimously.
The entire Board commended Dr. Holten for her dedicated
service. Dr. Holten
was invited to make remarks. Dr.
Holten expressed her appreciation to the Board and the
University community.
Amendment of Agenda
Chairman White noted that the original agenda had been
amended to place the Executive Session at the end of the meeting
so that the Board’s guests would not have to wait for the
public session to be conducted.
He asked if there was any objection to doing so and,
hearing none, adopted the amended agenda.
Report of the Executive Committee
Chairman White noted that many of the items discussed by the
Executive Committee would be covered in other reports.
He reported that the Committee had considered the
proposed Futuresteps 2000 initiative and invited President
DiGiorgio to report on it to the Board.
President DiGiorgio noted that the proposal called for
$250,000 to be allocated to salary adjustments and $125,000
allocated for professional development.
Chairman White stated that the aim of Futuresteps is also
to have this amount of funding for each of the next three years
but that he did not believe the current Board could obligate a
future Board to enact the proposal in the future. Chairman White and other Board members stated that they would
personally commit to implementing the initiative for each of the
succeeding three years.
Resolution to Approve Implementation of Futuresteps
2000
Chairman White presented the Resolution in the form of a
Motion from the Executive
Committee and it passed unanimously.
Chairman White also reported on the updated enrollment
statistics and its impact on residence halls, the implementation
of the Carolinas Partnership Tuition Proviso, and the visit by
legislators and CHE representatives to examine the issues of
deferred maintenance and adaptive reuse of facilities. Chairman
White noted that an important role for all trustees is to
advocate adequate funding for higher education in general in
South Carolina.
Chairman White
reported further on Winthrop’s ratings under the Performance
Funding process, the continued dialogue on campus regarding the
general education curriculum, initiatives in information
technology, and President DiGiorgio’s participation in the
state’s delegations to Korea and Japan.
Report of the Academic Affairs Committee
Bob Thompson reported that the Committee had reviewed the
applicable Goals and Objectives in the Vision of Distinction and
had reviewed activities of the Commission on Higher Education.
Resolution to Offer Master of Music in Conducting
Bob Thompson offered the Resolution in the form of a Motion from
the Academic Affairs
Committee and it passed unanimously.
Bob Thompson reported that the Committee had reviewed
the Cherokee County Schools Reading Program, where the school
District has contracted for an entire degree program.
He also noted that the Committee had discussed
Performance Funding, the honors program, the process for
reaccreditation through SACS, the searches for Deans for the
Colleges of Education and Visual & Performing Arts, site
visits for accreditation of the College of Business
Administration and the Interior Design program, and grant
activities.
Bob Thompson noted that the Committee had
discussed the general education curriculum and that there was
strong agreement that the Board should look on the process with
controlled impatience – hoping for progress in the near future
but valuing the thoughtful discussion taking place within the
faculty as vital to the success of any revision to the
curriculum. There
was also agreement that the issue must remain faculty-driven.
Report of the Finance Committee
Skip Tuttle reported that the Committee had reviewed the
applicable Goals and Objectives in the Vision of Distinction.
He also reported that the Committee had discussed the new
procurement card purchasing system and the comparatively
positive position of the University on student loan defaults.
Skip Tuttle noted that the Committee had
reviewed the forecast of needs and revenues from the spring and
that they were very much in line with the actual financial
picture, with some exceptions.
The exceptions included an enrollment increase which
generated approximately $400,000.00 in additional revenues, the
Governor’s veto of the annualization of state salaries which
cost the University an unexpected $50,000.00, and the receipt of
$500,000.00 as a result of the “exceeds expectations” rating
under Performance Funding.
As a result, he noted, the budget being presented to the
Board showed the University as being approximately $70,000 in
the black.
Approval of 1999-2000 Operating Budget
Skip Tuttle offered the proposed Operating Budget in
the form of a Motion and
recommendation from the Finance Committee and it passed
unanimously.
Skip Tuttle further reported that the
Committee had discussed the completion of the Life Sciences
Building, the need to finish the renovations to Sims, the
initiation of an architectural study on how to meet the needs of
the library, and the need for progress on funding the needs for
updated recreational and fitness facilities.
He also reviewed the internet and e-mail initiatives
including the plans for on-line registration and the completion
of the University’s compliance with Y2K readiness standards.
Report of the University Relations Committee
Bob Gahagan reported that that the Committee had
reviewed the applicable Goals and Objectives in the Vision of
Distinction. Bob
Gahagan also reported that the Committee reviewed or received
reports about the updated copier facilities, a very successful
Family Weekend, and the status of the Capital Campaign, which
has raised $17.7 million to date.
The Committee also reviewed data regarding the freshman
class, which is Winthrop’s second largest ever at 836. Of
these students, 53% of South Carolina residents are attending
Winthrop on a Life Scholarship.
Bob Gahagan further reported that Winthrop
had been recognized nationally for leadership in the field of
student character development by inclusion in The Templeton
Guide: Colleges that Encourage Character Development.
This recognition was due primarily to the Dedication for
Excellence developed by the Student Government Association.
He also reported that Winthrop’s student athletes had
been recognized for their academic achievements, with the
women’s basketball and softball teams each ranking 11th
nationally for their grade point average.
Bob Gahagan also noted that, for the first time, a full
time Director of Athletic Development has been appointed.
Finally, he reported that
the Committee had approved the preliminary
architectural rendering for the restoration of the baseball
field.
Report from the Chair of Faculty Conference
Tom Moore reported that the new Life Sciences Building had
been well received by faculty and students alike. He stressed that faculty needed to know whether Sims would be
operational during the next academic year for scheduling and
planning purposes.
He also reported on the status of the ongoing faculty
dialogue regarding general education. He noted that to attempt
to discuss the issues involved in terms of philosophies, values,
and outcomes would be plowing positive new ground for the
university community and would require building a climate to
have the debate in good faith.
Tom Moore requested that the Board continue to be
patient, anxious, understanding, and supportive of the process.
Report from the Student Government Association President
Mamie Bush reported on the communications campaign
undertaken by the Student Government Association as part of the
Student Aid Alliance on the issue of financial aid.
She also reported that she would be making a presentation
at a conference on Performance Funding for student
representatives from across South Carolina.
Mamie Bush also noted that the Student Government
Association was hopeful of being featured on the cover of
Student Leader magazine. If
it occurs, it would be the first instance of an entire student
government organization being recognized on the cover.
Report from the President
President DiGiorgio indicated that many items on his list
had already been discussed.
He noted that the legislative agenda for the upcoming
session would include general support for higher education,
seeking capital support for the Sims and Peabody renovations,
and advising of anticipated needs in residence hall and academic
space for future consideration.
He also noted that the opening of the academic year had
been very successful and that all key indicators showed
improvement.
President DiGiorgio and Dean of Enrollment
Management Margaret Williamson discussed with the Board the idea
and logistics of trustees’ being involved in recruiting
students by individual communications and letters on their
personal or business stationery.
Old Business
There was no Old Business.
New Business
Jane Shuler reported on the performance by the Winthrop
Chorale in Orangeburg, which had a standing room only audience
and a superb response. She
stated that she hoped the
Alumni Association would
sponsor more events of this type.
President DiGiorgio noted that John and Jane Shuler had
also sponsored the successful event.
Executive Session
Skip Tuttle moved that the Board take a short recess and
then go into Executive Session for the purpose of discussing
personnel and contractual matters covered under the Freedom of
Information Act. He
also moved that the Faculty and Student Representatives to the
Board be invited to remain in the Executive Session.
Bob Thompson seconded the Motion, which passed
unanimously.
Watts Huckabee was not present during the
Executive Session or during the Board’s return to open
session.
Adjournment
The Board reconvened in open session and Chairman White
announced that no actions had been taken by the Board in
Executive Session. Bob
Thompson moved that the Board adjourn.
The Motion was seconded by Anne K. Hall and approved
unanimously. Chairman
White declared the Board adjourned at 4:30 p.m.
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