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WINTHROP UNIVERSITY BOARD OF TRUSTEES
Minutes of the Meeting of the Winthrop
University Board of Trustees
April 12, 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, Bob Thompson, and Anthony J.
DiGiorgio (ex officio).
Members absent:
Mary Jean Martin, Jane Shuler, and Skip Tuttle
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.
Recognition of Melanie Masson
Chairman White and President DiGiorgio introduced student
Melanie Masson, who won one of four grand prizes in an
international photography contest sponsored by Chrysler
Financial. Ms. Masson and her instructor, Professor Phil Moody, will be
flown to Chrysler Financial headquarters in Michigan to receive
the award. Ms.
Masson thanked the Board for its recognition of her achievement
and displayed the award-winning photograph.
Approval of Board Minutes of February 18, 2000
Bob Thompson moved to approve the Minutes as presented.
Sanita Savage Frazier seconded the motion, which 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
March 22, 2000. He
stated that the Executive Committee reviewed and discussed
several matters and took action on two naming opportunities,
which the Committee brought to the Board for its consideration
in the form of resolutions.
Resolution for Naming Opportunity for Lois Rhame West
The Executive Committee moved the adoption by the Board
of this initiative, which names the planned renovated and
expanded physical education, recreation, and wellness
facilities in honor of this most distinguished alumna.
Chairman White noted that the Peabody Gymnasium retains
its name; the proposed
resolution
would name the complex of which Peabody Gym will remain an
integral part. The
motion was approved unanimously by voice vote.
Resolution for Naming Opportunity for Richard W. Riley
The Executive Committee moved the adoption by the Board
of this initiative, which names the College of Education in
honor of the noted South Carolina educator and statesman.
Chairman White noted that the College’s programs
would continue to be housed in the Withers/W.T.S. Building.
The motion was approved by voice vote with one
dissenting vote cast by Professor Tom Crowson.
President DiGiorgio announced that Patricia
Graham had been selected as the new Dean of the Richard W. Riley
College of Education through a national search.
He also noted that a series of events would take place on
May 5 to celebrate the naming of the College.
Chairman White noted that other highlights of the
Committee’s meeting included a review of likely changes in
benchmarks and performance scales used by the CHE in evaluating
data for the Performance Funding process; a review of the
estimated construction schedule for the first phase of the new Baseball
Stadium; 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 how these items
fared coming out of the Higher Education Subcommittee of the
House Ways and Means Subcommittee.
Chairman White noted that the President also reported on
the status of projects under the State’s Capital Reserve Fund.
The Committee also received an update from the President
on the Lottery issue and how it is likely to be presented
by the Governor in the fall election season; a report from the
President on the Abstract prepared regarding the proposed Center
of Excellence in Early Childhood Professional Development;
and an update on the development this summer of pilot courses
for a new General Education curriculum.
The Executive Committee also received the regular
quarterly reports. Chairman White also reported that the
Executive Committee had an executive session for discussion of
personnel and contractual matters and that no action was taken
in the executive session.
Finally, Chairman White noted that he had
received numerous letters from alumni of Winthrop and the W.T.S.
regarding the possible relocation of Dacus Library.
He stated that a response was being prepared and that he
appreciated that so many people had taken the time to share
their views.
Appointment of Committee on Nominations
Pursuant to Article III, Section B of the Bylaws of the
Board of Trustees, Chairman White appointed Bob Thompson, Anne
Kay Hall and Watts Huckabee to serve as the Committee on
Nominations. The
Board expressed its consent to these appointments.
Report of the Academic Affairs Committee
Resolution to Offer Master of Science in Software
Engineering
Bob Thompson offered the Resolution in the form of a
Motion from the Academic Affairs Committee and it passed
unanimously by voice vote.
Bob Thompson
reported that the Academic Affairs Committee had received a
presentation by Professor Darrell Parker on web-based
distance learning activities in the College of Business
Administration and a report regarding an on-line biology course
being offered using WebCT technology.
He also noted that the Committee received an update on
General Education stating that faculty members will be
working on developing pilot courses to be offered in the spring
of 2001, as well as developing specific expectations regarding
competencies.
Bob Thompson also reported that the Committee had been
updated on the progress of the SACS self-study process
including surveys being taken and draft reports being reviewed.
He noted that the Committee received a report on environmental
science curriculum proposals, an update on retention
efforts, and confirmation of the reaccreditation of the
College of Business Administration by the AACSB.
Report of the Finance Committee
Mary Anne Lake had presided over the meeting of the
Finance Committee due to the absence of Skip Tuttle and she
presented the report of the Committee.
She noted that the Allocation Status Report
projected a positive fund balance.
She also reported that the Committee had reviewed the CHE
funding formula and received an update on the progress of
the contractor bidding process for renovations to the Sims
Building. Mary
Anne Lake stated that the Committee had heard a presentation on
plans for additional projects related to Information
Technology including the Library’s technology classroom.
She also noted that the Committee received information
regarding York County funds for campus paving projects
and a presentation updating the status of the university’s
various forms of insurance coverage.
Report of the University Relations Committee
Bob Gahagan reported that the Committee had been
introduced to Jason Capel, the new
Director
of Athletic Marketing and Game Management.
He noted that Rock Hill’s bid to host the Big South
Conference Men’s Basketball Tournament had lost out to the
bid from Roanoke, Virginia and that the Conference was
discussing adding an additional member institution.
Bob
Gahagan also reported that the Committee had reviewed the
progress of Alumni Reunion Weekend and received an update
on the Capital Campaign indicating that $19.8 million had
been raised to date. The
Committee also received a briefing on the State of South
Carolina’s bid for Emergency Accident and Illness Insurance
for all enrolled students, which would cost the university $1
per student to provide coverage of up to $500 in coverage.
Bob Gahagan also noted the reports received by the
Committee on activities by the participants in the Close
Scholars Program, the implementation of the Alternative
Spring Break Initiative, and the establishment of the new Service
Learning Council. He
stated that over 60% of Winthrop’s students participate in a
form of community service.
Bob Gahagan reported on the update on Fall
2000 admissions received by the Committee, noting that it is
anticipated that these admissions will result in a class of
approximately the same size as fall 1999’s entering cohort.
Finally, he noted, the Committee had taken a tour of the
new Java City facility.
Report from the Chair of Faculty Conference
Tom Moore noted that the university is in better
physical condition than in prior years.
He stated that there were discussions within departments
and amongst department chairs regarding perceived needs and how
these are ultimately addressed in the budget process.
He also noted a perception of little connection between
Program Improvement Plans and the eventual resulting budgets and
that there continue to be issues regarding equipment costs and
additional faculty hires. He
reported that the Graduate Studies Retreat had produced a
clearer picture of the differences in the character and nature
of different masters-level programs.
Report from the Student Government Association President
Mamie Bush reported that the Student Government
Association debates and elections were pending and that
she would soon be passing the gavel to her successor.
She reported that a recent meeting of student leaders had
led to a great deal of discussion regarding strategic
planning from a student perspective.
She also reported that the student leaders strongly
encouraged additional funding and staffing to enhance the
Student Life programs at Winthrop.
Report from the President
President DiGiorgio thanked Acting Dean Wilhelmenia
Rembert for her leadership of the College of Education
during the past year, noting that she kept the College moving
forward, not merely afloat.
President DiGiorgio reported that he had hosted a very
positive dinner meeting with Student Government leaders
and presented them with commemorative “SGA” pins.
He also reported on the constructive dialogue and
progress made regarding development of a thorough Web Policy,
anticipated to be completed around the end of the semester.
President DiGiorgio updated the Board on the
status of the Legislative Budget process and the progress
on having the tuition proviso granted permanent status.
He also updated the Board on the progress of the Traffic
and Vehicular Safety Committee as it examines parking
enforcement, the need for an additional lot to compensate for
spaces lost during the Sims renovation, and other issues.
He noted that it was likely that the Committee would
recommend an increase in permit fees and parking fines.
President DiGiorgio reported that there had
been follow up on an earlier suggestion from a trustee regarding
a potential partnership for the future development of both Dacus
Library and the York County Library.
He noted that the heads of each library had explored the
possibility and found that it was not a feasible alternative
given their individual libraries needs and timetables.
Old Business
There was no Old Business.
New Business
There was no New Business.
Executive Session
Mary Anne Lake moved that the Board go into Executive
Session for discussion of personnel and contractual matters.
Bob Thompson seconded the motion, which was approved
unanimously by voice vote.
Following a ten-minute recess, the Board reconvened in
Executive Session. No actions were taken in Executive Session.
Adjournment
Upon returning to public session, Bob Thompson moved
that the Board adjourn. The
Motion was seconded by Bob Gahagan and approved unanimously by
voice vote. The
Board adjourned at 3:45 p.m.
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