Dear Colleagues:
At last month’s Board of Trustees meeting, the board took historic action on tuition, approving only a .5 percent increase in in-state, undergraduate tuition--the lowest increase in 30 years at $38 per semester. Keeping tuition costs contained has been a top institutional priority in recent years, so I appreciate the board’s leadership in balancing our students’ academic needs and the financial well-being of our students and their families. We know that our 2019-20 tuition increase is among the lowest of the state’s public, four-year colleges and universities.
In other business, trustees approved a compensation philosophy (more about that and the status of our classification and compensation study in an upcoming message from me); emeritus status for 13 recently retired faculty members; Academic Affairs’ tenure and promotion nominations; and a slate of officers for 2019-20.
As we approach the beginning of the 2019-20 academic year, I want to invite you to take part in several opening events in August. Please mark these dates on your calendar, and I hope to see you soon as we kick off the new academic year.
Faculty and Staff Welcome Reception
Please join me on Monday, Aug. 12, at 10 a.m. in McBryde Hall as we gather for the annual “back to school” President’s Welcome. This is a great time to chat with coworkers, meet new employees, enjoy light refreshments, celebrate Winthrop’s achievements and hear about what’s to come in 2019-20.
Convocation and Welcome Week
We will officially kick off Winthrop’s 134th academic year with our Aug. 19 Convocation ceremony. The ceremony serves as the official welcome into the Winthrop family of learners to our freshman class. Jay Karen ‘96, CEO of the National Golf Course Owners Association, will deliver the Convocation keynote speech. I encourage you to attend as a show of support for our newest students. Please note that due to Byrnes Auditorium construction, this year’s Convocation will be held at the Winthrop Coliseum at 11 a.m. The community-wide picnic will follow immediately at noon. Details on all the arrangements are still to come.
As always, the DiGiorgio Student Union has lined up a variety of fun activities during Welcome Week, which is arguably the most entertaining seven days of the school year. Take a look at the schedule and plan to attend an event or two.
Finally, I’d like to extend my thanks to everyone for the hard work that has taken place over the summer in order to welcome our students back in a few short weeks.
Sincerely,
Dan
