ROCK HILL, SOUTH CAROLINA – The Winthrop University Board of Trustees approved a $158.7 million operating budget for the 2025-26 fiscal year at its June 26 meeting.
Last year’s budget was $153.3 million. Kevin Butler, CFO and vice president for finance and business affairs, said the budget is balanced based on anticipated revenues and budgeted expenses. The new fiscal year begins July 1.
As part of the budget, the state will provide Winthrop $11 million in non-recurring capital funds.
The 2025-26 budget assumptions include full conversion to the new credit hour pricing, a projected 5 percent increase in undergraduate enrollment and a 2.5 percent increase in online graduate enrollment.
Interior Design Space Named at The Thread
Winthrop has entered into a 10-year lease agreement with the developers of The Thread project to use a 5,000-square-foot area for the interior design program. The space is located a floor above the world’s largest textile archive, the Baxter Mill Archive, which will allow students to work with design professionals on a daily basis.
A driving force behind the project has been notable Winthrop alumnus J. Robert “Bob” Bazemore ‘85, a former adjunct faculty member in interior design at Winthrop. He has been a leading figure in the interior design industry for nearly four decades. He has donated money, time and talents to the project, working closely with the current interior design faculty members and others to design the space.
Board members voted to name the space Winthrop University’s J. Robert Bazemore Design Center for the duration of the lease. A grand opening is planned prior to the upcoming fall semester.
Facility Improvements
Regarding facility improvements, board members voted to move forward on three facilities and infrastructure projects: the Phelps residence hall roof replacement; Chick-fil-A refresh and Tillman Hall renovation.
Interstate Roofing entered the low bid to replace the Phelps roof, which was damaged last fall by Hurricane Helene. With work starting this summer, it will be replaced with money from Winthrop, plus insurance funds, and will cost $1,469,000.
Meanwhile, Chick-fil-A, located in Markley’s food court, will receive a $600,000 refresh with project funds from Winthrop. The sole bidder was ME Contracting with a $289,285 bid; work will begin this month. The remaining project funds will be used to purchase kitchen equipment.
HCM (Hord Coplan Macht) was selected to renovate Tillman Hall through the state’s architect and engineering process. The initial phase for the $6 million project will not exceed $300,000, which includes: building mapping/layout, space programming/meeting, building evaluation, and cost estimate/phasing.
In other action, board members:
-Granted emeritus status to six faculty members: Matthew Fike, professor of English; James Hammond, assistant professor of computer science; Jay Hanna, professor of chemistry; Mark Nortz, senior instructor of mass communication; Hemant Patwardhan, professor of marketing; and Frank Pullano, professor of mathematics.
-Approved moving forward with plans to dispose of several surplus lots by securing appraisals for: 226 Sidney Street (2.17 acres), three lots between 516 and 620 Oakland Avenue (totaling .88 acres) and at 642 College Avenue (.26 acres).
-Agreed to amend the bylaws for the Winthrop University Real Estate Foundation so the board will refocus its efforts toward monetization of the university’s existing properties to enhance the university through strategic opportunities and partnerships, as well as increase the membership of the board from five to 11 members.
-Voted unanimously to re-elect Glenn McCall as chairman and to elect Rock Hill attorney Joel Hamilton ‘06 as vice chair, as well as to change Tammie Phillips’ title from acting secretary to the board to secretary of the board.
-Approved modifying the constitution of the new Student Government Association (SGA) to reflect recent changes in how the association will function and work with the Office of the Vice President of Student Affairs.
-Approved the annual information security report.
For more information, contact Judy Longshaw, news and media services manager, at longshawj@winthrop.edu.
