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WINTHROP UNIVERSITY BOARD OF TRUSTEES
April 6, 2001
Dunlap-Roddey Room, Johnson Hall
Winthrop University, Rock Hill, SC
Members
present:
Skip Tuttle (Chair), E. Thomas Crowson, Larry Durham, Bob
Gahagan, Anne K. Hall, A. Watts Huckabee, Mary Jean Martin,
Glenda Owens, Bob Thompson, David White, and Anthony J.
DiGiorgio (ex officio).
Members absent:
Sanita Savage Frazier, Jane Shuler.
Staff present:
Brien Lewis, Secretary to the Board.
Guests present:
Students, faculty, staff, and media representatives.
The Board of Trustees met on Friday, April 6, 2001 at 11:00 a.m.
in the Baruch Room of the Joynes Conference Center, Winthrop
University, Rock Hill, SC for the purpose of hearing a
presentation on library issues by Mark Herring, Dean of Library
Services. No actions were taken during that session of the Board.
The Board of Trustees then convened on
Friday, April 6, 2001 at 1:00 p.m. in the Dunlap-Roddey Room,
Winthrop University, Rock Hill, SC for its regular business
meeting.
Call to Order
Skip Tuttle called the meeting to order at 1:00 p.m
Approval of Board Minutes of November 3,
2000
Watts Huckabee moved, seconded by Bob Thompson, to approve
the minutes as presented. This
motion passed unanimously by voice vote.
Report of the Executive Committee
Chairman Tuttle reported that the Executive Committee of the
Board of Trustees met in Rock Hill during the afternoon of March
28, 2001. He stated
that the Executive Committee reviewed and discussed several
matters and took action on two items, which the Committee
brought to the Board for its consideration in the form of
resolutions.
Resolution Honoring Rodney Brown for Service
to the Winthrop University Student Government Association and
the Winthrop University Board of Trustees
Chairman Tuttle
noted that the Student Government Association had taken steps
since the Executive Committee had met which made it appropriate
to delay acting on this Resolution.
He invited Student Government Association President
Rodney Brown to comment on this development.
Rodney Brown reported that the Student Government
Association had voted to suspend elections and spend time
reflecting on, researching, and reviewing the structure and
operation of student government to determine better ways for it
to serve the student body.
Chairman Tuttle stated that he was grateful that Rodney
Brown was willing to stay on in office during this process and
that the Board would delay recognizing his contributions until
the conclusion of his term.
President DiGiorgio noted that the university is happy to
work with the Student Government Association on its
reconfiguration project and that the administration and the
Board want the student voice to continue to be heard.
Resolution Honoring Sarah Stallings, Nick
Ross, and Christy Goodner for Meritorious Service to Winthrop
University
Chairman Tuttle
offered the Resolution in the form of a Motion from the
Executive Committee and it was approved unanimously by voice
vote. He then read
the Resolution and made a presentation to Sarah Stallings, Nick
Ross, and Christy Goodner.
Chairman Tuttle noted their tremendous efforts in leading
the Institutional Self-Study and the outstanding review from the
SACS Accreditation Reaffirmation Committee.
David White noted that the Board also owed
a special recognition to Trustee Bob Thompson for his service on
the Institutional Self-Study Steering Committee.
The Board recognized Bob Thompson with a round of
applause. Chairman
Tuttle noted that other highlights of the Committee’s meeting
included a series of updates from the President on budgetary and
other issues that the President would touch on in his report to
the Board. He also
noted that there would be no Executive Session during this Board
meeting.
Chairman Tuttle announced Mary Jean Martin,
Bob Thompson and Jane Shuler as his appointees to the Committee
on Nominations and asked for the Board’s consent to these
appointments. The
Board gave its consent and Chairman Tuttle noted that the
Committee would provide its report no later than thirty days
prior to the next Board meeting in accordance with the Board’s
bylaws.
Report of the Academic Affairs Committee
Bob Thompson reported that the Committee met at the Good
Building, which presently houses the Center of Excellence in
Early Childhood Professional Development.
He noted that Linda Hutchison provided a recap of the
activities at the Center. Bob
Thompson reported that the Committee had discussed the SACS
Accreditation Reaffirmation Committee’s Exit Report as well as
positive feedback on the General Education pilot courses.
He noted that the present pilots will continue in Fall
2001 and that additional courses will be developed this summer
with the goal of piloting them in Spring 2002.
Bob Thompson noted that a committee of the
Commission on Higher Education would consider the proposal for a
Master of Arts in Arts Administration April 25.
He stated that this program would be unique in South
Carolina and have national appeal for its interdisciplinary
approach. Bob
Thompson also reported that the Committee received an update on
the ongoing search for the first holder of the Dalton Chair and
noted that interviews are underway.
He also reported on the establishment of the Center for
Molecular and Cellular Studies to provide structure and focus
for research grant and commercial contract opportunities.
Bob Thompson then reviewed the status of the Title II
reporting requirements for the Richard W. Riley College of
Education, noting that the target date for release of data had
been pushed back and that the data would have implications on
the public perceptions of the quality of the College of
Education.
Report of the Finance Committee
Bob Gahagan reported that the Finance Committee had received
a presentation on the various types of bonds used by the state
and the university and that it had been extremely helpful. He encouraged the Board to consider having the same
presentation made to the full Board at the June meeting.
He noted that during the period from 1968 to 1988
Winthrop University received about $21.5 million in bond funds
and that from 1988 to 1999 the sum was over $27 million.
It was also noted that this latter figure did not include
bond funds authorized by the General Assembly last year.
Bob Gahagan also reported that the
Committee had reviewed the three-year plan presented by
Information Technology and that there was now no academic
computing facility with a computer older than one year.
He pointed out that older computers had been shifted to
other locations.
Chairman Tuttle encouraged Board members to
seek support from legislators for Winthrop’s projects
currently being considered for inclusion in a bond bill.
Bob Gahagan noted that the House had approved $7 million
for the Lois Rhame West Center but that the Senate is
considering rejecting a bond bill for this year.
Report of the University Relations Committee
In the absence of Jane Shuler, Watts Huckabee had chaired
the meeting of the University Relations Committee.
He reported that the Committee received a report on
several pieces of legislation pending in the NCAA.
One would amend the concept of
“amateur” athletes to allow student-athletes to
accept pay for competition prior to their collegiate careers.
Another would reduce the number of scholarships available
if graduation rates for student-athletes fell below 50%.
A third piece of legislation would increase the number of
men’s basketball games permitted from 28 to 29.
A fourth proposal would allow a loan of up to $20,000
based on a student-athlete’s projected future earnings, with
the objective being to deter some negative activities.
Watts
Huckabee also reported that the Committee had received an update
on the Big South Conference.
He noted that the Conference will see Elon College and
High Point University achieve full member status in the next
academic year while new member Birmingham Southern will be on
probationary status until 2003.
He also noted that only four of the eight member
institutions currently have football programs and that the
Conference is looking at non-Conference schools to schedule
games.
The
Committee also received a report on the renovations to the
Ballpark facilities and Watts Huckabee commended the outstanding
job that had been done on that project.
He also noted that new seats are in place for softball
and soccer, and that work is underway on a new press box and
storage area for softball.
Watts Huckabee also reported on the tremendous success
this year by the baseball team and its high standings in
national polls.
The
Committee also received an update from University Advancement.
Watts Huckabee reported that University Advancement had
received a CASE Award recognizing the accomplishments of the
Annual Fund, which exceeded its goal by 11% and increased 27%
over the prior year’s total even though the Capital Campaign
is continuing. He
noted that the Capital Campaign is well over the $20 million
mark and will be seeking commitments from faculty and staff
during its fifth year, with a Victory Celebration marking the
end of the campaign scheduled for November 9, 2002.
Watts
Huckabee noted that the Committee also received a reported on
the efforts of the new Web Developer, William Harris, to provide
training and assistance to faculty and staff who were creating
and managing individual and departmental web pages.
Watts Huckabee also reported that the Committee had
reviewed a very successful Homecoming program that featured a
major event in the Coliseum parking lot that was well received.
The
Committee also received reports from several areas of the
Division of Student Life. Watts
Huckabee noted that admissions applications are up 11% and that
the admissions made under the LEAP program are down, indicating
an increase in the quality of admitted students.
He also noted increased recruitment efforts with high
school sophomores and that marketing was even being undertaken
with middle school students.
He further noted the continued trend of increases in
transfer applications to Winthrop.
Watts Huckabee also reported on the update received by
the Committee on the successful implementation of Wingspan,
noting that there is now 100% on-line registration.
He also noted that the food service Request for Proposals
had gone out for bid and that only ARAMARK had eventually
submitted a bid. Watts
Huckabee also noted the update provided by Residence Life on
their efforts to maintain strong retention rates in the
residence halls.
Report from the Chair of Faculty Conference
Faculty Conference Chair Jim Johnston reported that he had
initially been elected to fill the unexpired portion of Tom
Moore’s term and that the Faculty Conference at its March
meeting had elected him to a full two-year term.
He noted that he and the President had given reports at
the March meeting of the Faculty Conference regarding the Board
retreat and the state budget situation.
He reported that at its next meeting, the Faculty
Conference would elect chairs of its standing committees.
Report from the Student Government Association President
Rodney Brown reported that the Student Government
Association sponsored the Women’s Leadership Conference as
well as an Alternative Spring Break where students do community
service projects. He
also reported that the SGA is seeking to reestablish the
Dedication for Excellence Award presented to a faculty or staff
member for providing outstanding service to students.
Rodney Brown stated that the SGA was
examining the possibility of installing coin machines in
residence halls for laundry machines.
He also noted that SGA participated in Career Services’
Dress for Success program.
He advised the Board that some students had concerns
regarding the on-line registration program because it would
time-out on them too quickly, requiring students to log on
repeatedly. He also
noted that students were providing a lot of feedback regarding
the increased school spirit evidenced by Homecoming, pep
rallies, and the NCAA Tournament broadcast at the Coliseum.
Report from the President
President DiGiorgio presented postcards to the Trustees
featuring the Sweet Dreams art installation.
He reported that the state budget process was entering
its third phase – consideration by the Senate.
He stated that Governor Hodges is seeking to hold higher
education exempt from budget cuts but that his proposal is not
being well received in the General Assembly.
The President reported that J.P. McKee and Rebecca
Masters had made a presentation on the university’s behalf to
the Higher Education Subcommittee of the Senate Finance
Committee. He
pointed out that the next step is for each of the Senate Finance
subcommittees to report back to the main committee, which will
make a recommendation to the full Senate. A conference committee of both chambers would then consider a
budget approved by the Senate along with the House budget.
It is still possible, he noted, for higher education to
receive anywhere from a 15% cut to a slight increase in funding.
President DiGiorgio stated that the university was taking
a “worst-case scenario” approach in planning for possible
funding reductions by reviewing all positions and initiatives.
He reiterated that the Board’s view continues to be
that tuition increases may be part of the answer but not the
total answer to a budget cut and that the administration will be
guided by that in preparing next year’s budget proposals.
President DiGiorgio also reported that a
recent and unexpected budget development is the possibility of a
1% rescission this year, which would impact the university in
the amount of approximately $250,000.
He noted that the Governor is also trying to shield
higher education from this shortfall but that the situation
remains fluid and the outcome unclear.
President
DiGiorgio reported that the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related
Educational Programs (CACREP) has accredited both the Community
Counseling and School Counseling programs for the M.Ed. degree
through June 2008. He
noted that CACREP could provide accreditation from two to seven
years and that these programs are the only ones within South
Carolina to receive the maximum period of accreditation. He also
noted that this maintains Winthrop’s record of 100 percent
accreditation among all of our eligible programs.
President DiGiorgio provided an update on the on
the efforts to secure federal funds for preservation of
facilities at historically women’s colleges.
The President noted that the chief executives of the
institutions involved had met recently with Congressional
representatives and Senators, that a bill had been introduced in
the House, and that there is still substantial support for the
initiative in Congress. He
also noted that this initiative had allowed him to understand
clearly that there really are only seven institutions in the
nation founded with the same mission and purpose at around the
same time and that this is truly a distinctive feature of the
university.
The President also updated the Board on
legislation proposing amendments to the TERI program.
The President reported that the changes outlined included
a requirement that the employer and the employee mutually agree
on the employee’s participation in the program.
He noted that the university supports these changes and
it is expected that this legislation will be passed.
President DiGiorgio also reported that a
planning charette for the urban core of Rock Hill is scheduled
for May. He noted that he had recently met with an advance team of the
charette planners and reviewed with them the university’s
plans for growth and development of facilities.
Old Business
There was no Old Business.
New Business
There was no New Business.
Executive Session
There was no Executive Session.
Adjournment
Bob Gahagan moved that the Board adjourn.
The Motion was seconded by Watts Huckabee and approved
unanimously by voice vote.
The Board adjourned at 2:35 p.m.
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