ROCK HILL, SOUTH CAROLINA – Winthrop University has completed its $10 million purchase of the Courtyard residence hall from the Winthrop University Real Estate Foundation (WUREF), Board of Trustees members heard at their May 1 quarterly meeting.
A deed for the Courtyard sale was recorded to transfer the title of the four-story apartment building on March 21. Earlier this year, the state’s Joint Bond Review Committee and the State Fiscal Accountability Authority gave final state approvals for the university to purchase the residence hall.
WUREF also will transfer an estimated $6 million in reserves and operating accounts to Winthrop. Of the amount transferred, $3.6 million is designated by the Board of Trustees to use over the next two summers to repair heating, ventilation and the air conditioning systems and other related renovations at the Courtyard.
Constructed in 2002 and opened in 2003, the residence hall includes two- and four-bedroom apartment style units for upperclassmen and honors students. Its total occupancy is 400.
Two other facilities projects also will move forward. Board members gave approval to pay for renovations to Joynes Hall’s first floor, the building’s restrooms, and expansion of the entry plaza. Handling the work will be Carolina Contracting for a cost of $986,270.
On the opposite side of campus, a new pedestrian campus entrance on Stewart Avenue at the railroad tracks will be completed, called the Southwest Gateway project. Handling the contract to put in a new walkway that crosses Alumni Drive and ties into the sidewalk at Johnson Hall will be RNF Builders for $381,213.
In addition, the board was informed of a plan to turn the Macfeat House into an Academic Hub to promote synergy and camaraderie. This will increase opportunities for grant writing, collaborations and restore event space for the Academic Affairs division.
Trustees also heard about another office move. The Center for Career Development and Internships will move from Bancroft Hall into the DiGiorgio Campus Center and has an anticipated completion date of January 2027.
Another academic topic involved board members approving two new concentrations - financial planning and healthcare management - within the Master of Business Administration degree.
Other board action included:
*Approval to enter a silent phase for a comprehensive campaign for the Division of
University Advancement. With Winthrop’s last campaign ending in 2015, the advancement
office worked with a consultant during much of 2024 to assess and prepare for a comprehensive
campaign. The consultant’s recommendations were presented at the board’s February
retreat.
*Approval for the Office of Admissions to allow prospective students a choice in submitting
standardized test scores during the 2026 and 2027 admissions cycles. This “test optional”
approach has been in effect at Winthrop for a number of years, as the university has
found that a student’s high school GPA rather than standardized test scores clearly
correlate the strongest with cumulative Winthrop GPA and graduation.
*Adoption of First Day Complete Inclusive Access, which is a Barnes and Noble course
materials program. The new option will ensure that students have access to all required
course materials on or before the first day of class, which will promote academic
preparedness, convenience and affordability. This will create an extra fee for students,
but it is not required. The cost of $22 per credit hour was approved by the board.
*Acceptance of Athletics’ 10-year Audit that was requested by Board Chair Glenn McCall.
*Approval of a new Internal Audit Charter which outlines the mission, roles and responsibilities,
standards of practice and scope for the university’s Internal Audit operation.
For more information, contact Judy Longshaw, news and media services manager, at
longshawj@winthrop.edu or at 803/984-0586.
