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WINTHROP UNIVERSITY BOARD OF TRUSTEES
Minutes of Meeting of the Winthrop University
Board of Trustees
February 18, 2000
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).
Members absent:
None.
Representatives present:
Tom Moore, Faculty Conference Chair
Mamie C. Bush, Student Government Association President
Staff present:
Brien Lewis, Secretary to the Board.
Guests present:
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 November 5, 1999
Bob Gahagan moved to strike his comment made on page 3
of the proposed Minutes regarding a motion about a football
program. He noted
that although he had made the remark, it was in jest and he did
not wish for his comment to be reflected seriously in the
minutes. Skip
Tuttle seconded the motion, which was approved unanimously by
voice vote. Skip
Tuttle moved, seconded by Bob Thompson, to approve the duly
amended proposed minutes of the Board meeting of November 5,
1999 as presented. The
motion passed unanimously by voice vote.
Report of the Executive Committee
Chairman White reported that the Executive Committee of
the Board of Trustees met in Rock Hill during the afternoon of
February 2, 2000. The
Executive Committee reviewed and discussed several matters but
had no action items on its agenda.
As a result, there were no resolutions brought by the
Committee to the full Board for its consideration.
Chairman White reported that the highlights of the
Committee’s meeting included a review of the agendas of each
of the Board’s committees and plans for the Board retreat and
a review of the successful implementation of the Board’s
resolution authorizing Futuresteps 2000.
He noted that this initiative had allowed the University
to make important steps on the issues of salaries and
professional development opportunities.
Chairman White commended the hard work and careful
thought that had gone into the
implementation of the
first phase of Futuresteps and stated that the Executive
Committee was looking forward to the next stage in the program.
In addition, Chairman White noted that the
Executive Committee had reviewed the potential costs of a
women’s soccer program and the need to address the equity
issues established under federal legislation under Title IX,
received an update from the President on the status of funding
for our capital projects, particularly Peabody, Sims, and the
Rutledge roof, and a report on the President’s presentation on
these items to the Higher Education Subcommittee of the House
Ways and Means Subcommittee.
He also reported that the Executive Committee had
received updates on a variety of accomplishments such as
additional national recognition for the DSU Programming Board
and the theatre production of Roses for Roy Lee, updates
on enrollment statistics, the implementation of the procurement
card purchasing system, and approved sabbatical requests, and
had received the regular quarterly reports.
Finally, Chairman White reported, the Executive
Committee had an executive session for discussion of personnel
and contractual matters. No
action was taken in the executive session.
Report of the Academic Affairs Committee
Bob Thompson reported that the Committee had toured the
remodeled Dacus Library and received a presentation on the
extensive databases now available to the university community.
He also reported that the Committee had received updates
on the master of music in conducting, collaboration on
post-tenure review evaluations, and accreditation site visits
for the nutrition program and the College of Business
Administration. Bob Thompson also noted that the Committee had received a
report on the liberalization of some benchmarks in the
Performance Funding process by the CHE Planning and Assessment
Committee, as well as the proposal to eliminate institutional
benchmarks and replace them with state and national benchmarks.
Bob Thompson reported that the Academic Affairs
Committee had briefly discussed the developments in General
Education, particularly the present focus on developing defined
competencies, as well as the progress of the Institutional
Self-Study in preparation for the March 2001 site visit by SACS.
He reminded the Board that Winthrop’s goal is 0
recommendations from the “must” statements criteria and he
reported that as potential problems were discovered they were
being addressed.
Bob Thompson also reported that the Committee had
been advised that the Dean searches were proceeding on schedule
and that finalist interviews on campus were anticipated in the
near future. He
also noted a planned campus-wide mini-summit on graduate student
recruitment, and that Trustee Jane Shuler had ably represented
Winthrop as a panelist at the recent Women In Higher Education
Conference.
Report of the Finance Committee
Approval of Resolution to
Increase the Amount of Authorized State Institution Bonds for
the Life Sciences Complex
Skip Tuttle reported that the Finance Committee had
reviewed the funding and bidding history of the renovations to
the Sims Building as part of the Life Sciences Complex.
He noted that the Committee recommended approval of the
proposed Resolution, which would replace the $2.5 million bond
authorization adopted by the Board in 1999 with a $5 million
bond authorization. He
noted that the current bonds authorized for the renovations of
Rutledge and Johnston would be paid off by 2001 and 2008
respectively and that the university was in a position to
accommodate the proposed new bond without additional budget
implications. Skip Tuttle offered the proposed Resolution in
the form of a Motion and recommendation from the Finance
Committee. Bob
Thompson moved a friendly amendment to reword the fourth
“Whereas” clause of the proposed Resolution by replacing
the words “short of” with the words “more than”.
This Motion was accepted as a friendly amendment.
The proposed Amended Resolution was passed unanimously
by voice vote.
Approval of Resolution
authorizing Expenditures for a Public Purpose
Skip Tuttle reported that the Finance Committee had
reviewed the history of the ambiguity surrounding the use of
public funds generated by public institutions.
He noted that this issue had then been brought to the
attention of the General Assembly, resulting in legislation
authorizing Boards of Trustees to use funds for specific
purposes. The
proposed Resolution would simply state Winthrop University’s
policy for using such funds as enabled by the legislation.
President DiGiorgio noted that a great majority of such
funds already go to scholarships.
He noted that the Board action would simply clarify
Winthrop’s ability to use these dollars in the manner
originally intended: for scholarships and for recognition or
appreciation of achievements by faculty, staff and students.
The proposed Resolution was passed unanimously by voice
vote.
Skip Tuttle reported that the Committee had
received reports regarding Information Technology initiatives
and the need to continue planning and upgrading in this area.
He noted that Winthrop is being recognized by Friends of
Education for creating an on-line application system for any
teaching position in any district of South Carolina.
President DiGiorgio noted that James Hammond and Charlie
Maner had taken on this project and completed it in a sterling
fashion. Skip
Tuttle also reported that on-line registration is scheduled for
implementation for the Fall 2000 semester.
In addition, Skip Tuttle noted that the Committee had
received a report on Worker’s Compensation showing that hours
lost to on-the-job injuries were down 60% this year.
Approval of sale of property to City
of Rock Hill
Skip Tuttle reported that the Committee received a
report of the State Budget and Control Board’s (BCB)
approval of the sale of approximately .04 acres to the City of
Rock Hill. The purpose of the transaction is to allow the City to create
a right-hand turn lane from Charlotte Road onto Cherry Road,
where the Bookworm is located.
Skip Tuttle noted that no parking spaces would be lost
in front of the Bookworm and that access may even be improved
by relieving the traffic congestion. He also noted that the property had been appraised by an
outside appraiser and that the BCB had approved the sale for
the amount of $23,600.00.
Skip Tuttle stated that although the BCB had approved
the transaction already, he felt it would be appropriate for
the Board of Trustees to formally record its recommendation
for the sale of real property.
Skip Tuttle moved, seconded by Bob Thompson, that the
Board of Trustees recommend the sale of approximately .04
acres of the University’s property at 700 Cherry Road to the
City of Rock Hill for the sum of $23,600.00. The Motion carried unanimously by voice vote.
Report of the University Relations Committee
Bob Gahagan reported that the Committee had received a
presentation by one of the new Close Scholars.
He noted that the whole Board should have an opportunity
to hear the presentation and that they would be very proud of
the program and how it is being administered and received in the
community. Bob Gahagan further reported that the Committee had been
introduced to the new Registrar, Tim Drueke, received an update
on the university’s retention initiative, Project REACH, and
received a report regarding graduation rates and grade point
averages for student-athletes, which compare very favorably to
other institutions in NCAA Division I.
He also reported that a new computer lab was in place
at the Coliseum, that new study hall guidelines had been
implemented, and that the Committee had received a report on
Winthrop’s web site, which was widely commended.
President DiGiorgio noted that a draft web policy was
currently being circulated through the campus community for
input on how to best guide future development for institutional
presentation as well as individual expression. Finally, Bob
Gahagan noted that the Committee was advised that the Capital
Campaign has raised $19.3 million with two years still to go.
Approval of Resolution on Policy for
Named Gift Opportunities
Bob Gahagan reported that the proposed Resolution would
have the effect of amending the existing policy adopted by the
Board in 1993, which occurred before the planning of the
Capital Campaign. He
noted that the existing policy, which calls for a 50%
contribution of the cost of a project in order to secure a
naming opportunity, had proved impractical during the Campaign
and inconsistent with policies of other institutions. Bob
Gahagan offered the proposed Resolution in the form of a
Motion and recommendation from the University Relations
Committee and it passed unanimously by voice vote.
Report from the Chair of Faculty Conference
Tom Moore reported that the draft web policy had
generated some discussion on campus and was seen as an
opportunity to move towards a values-centered and market-wise
approach. He noted that he was looking forward to the opportunity to
discuss General Education in detail at the retreat and that he
was grateful for the Board’s additional bonding authority for
the renovation of Sims.
Report from the Student Government Association President
Mamie Bush reported that the Martin Luther King
celebrations had been very successful, were well attended, and
were a step in the right direction for Winthrop University and
South Carolina. She
noted that SGA elections would take place in late March.
She also reported that the SGA was considering a
statement on the Flag issue and would pass it on at the
appropriate time.
Mamie Bush advised the Board of the SGA’s
interest in philanthropic activities for the university and
their exploration of possible projects such as repainting a
building as a way of giving back to Winthrop.
She also noted that SGA would be hosting a conference for
state student government leaders in late March and is a sponsor
of the Alternative Spring Break program, which will be devoted
to helping on building projects for disadvantaged people.
Report from the President
President DiGiorgio reported on the significant recent
increase in funding for Summer Research Council grants and the
creation of two new categories: student involvement and
curriculum enhancement. He
noted that this was the result of synergy across the institution
and the pool of funds available from the Academic Incentives
Act, which provides money based on the amount of private
fundraising conducted by the university.
He commended the work of Becky McMillan and University
Advancement in realizing these additional dollars.
President DiGiorgio also reported on the
writing of a grant to have Winthrop University designated as a
Center for Excellence in Early Childhood Education, the upcoming
Big South Tournament for men’s and women’s basketball in
Asheville, and the bid submitted by Winthrop and the Rock Hill
Sports Council to host a future tournament.
President DiGiorgio also advised the Board that Winthrop
had received the highest rating among all state four-year higher
education institutions from the South Carolina Human Affairs
Commission for reaching Equal Employment Opportunity goals.
Chairman White noted that the Executive Committee and
the President had met with Governor Hodges in Columbia at the
invitation of the Governor.
The purpose of the meeting was for the Governor to
present his proposal for a lottery and how lottery funds might
be spent. This
meeting was one of a series requested by the Governor with
higher education trustees across the state.
The Governor did not seek any commitment from, or ask for
collective support by, the Executive Committee.
The Executive Committee took no action at this meeting.
Old Business
There was no Old Business.
New Business
There was no New Business.
Adjournment
Bob Thompson moved that the Board adjourn.
The Motion was seconded by Bob Gahagan and approved
unanimously by voice vote.
Chairman White declared the Board adjourned at 2:40 p.m.
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