Winthrop University
Board of Trustees Executive Committee
Thursday, June 12, 2025
10:00 a.m.
Thompson Conference Room | Tillman Hall
Winthrop University | Rock Hill, South Carolina
Committee Members Present – Trustees Glenn McCall (Chair), Kathy Bigham (Vice Chair, via Zoom), Ed Driggers (via Zoom), David McDonald (via Zoom), Tim Sease (via Zoom), and Gary Williams (via Zoom)
President’s Cabinet Present - President Edward Serna, Kevin Butler, Joseph Miller, and Tammie Phillips
Other Attendees Present – Hannah Small
The Board of Trustees Executive Committee met on Thursday, June 12, 2025, at 10:01 a.m., at Winthrop University in Thompson Conference Room.
Roll Call to Establish Quorum
Tammie Phillips took the roll of the Executive Committee and confirmed a quorum of the committee.
Public Notice
The meeting agenda was posted on the Winthrop University website with proper notice of the meeting. The meeting was held in accordance with the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA).
Call to Order and Invocation
A quorum being present, Chair McCall called the meeting to order, welcomed all present both in person and virtually, and gave an invocation to begin the meeting.
Approval of Executive Committee Minutes of April 17, 2025
Hearing no objections, the minutes of the April 17, 2025, meeting were approved as written.
President's Update
President Serna reported the first 12 initiatives of the strategic plan, Winthrop:
United in Excellence, are in the full production stage. As initiatives within the
five pillars are operationalized, we will be able to track our success heading into
the next three-year sprint so we can look back and determine what worked, what didn't
work, and what needs to be emphasized in the next three-year period. The cabinet will
meet for its annual retreat on June 30th with a focus on phase two initiatives. He
discussed the need to revisit a human capital strategy. We are in the last year of
the board’s five-year commitment to increase compensation $500k per year. Given our
strategic plan, enrollment growth, AI, etc., this commitment needs to be revisited.
Firms are being contacted as we start considering and reshaping our workforce needs.
He reported that the increased enrollment for Fall 2025 does affect housing, triggering a shortage. Given current data, early projections for fall will be a shortage of around 180 beds. The shortage will necessitate keeping Roddey online to maximize every usable space on campus. Multiple options are being explored for fall that will be presented to the full board at the June meeting. This is a good problem to have, but it does create a sense of urgency regarding the need for a new residence hall.
Planning and Review for the June Board Meeting
Chairman McCall reviewed the itinerary and agenda for the June Board of Trustees meeting.
Each committee chair submitted an agenda, including a brief overview of the areas
the vice presidents will cover.
Executive Session--pursuant to S.C. Code Ann. §30-4-70(a)(1) and (2) for the purposes of discussion of employment matters and contractual items related to Winthrop University
Chair McCall called for a motion to go into executive session pursuant to South Carolina Ann. §30-4-70(a)(1) and (2) for the purposes of discussion of employment matters involving certain present university employees and contractual items related to Winthrop University. Trustee Gary Williams made a motion with a second from Trustee Kathy Bigham. The vote was unanimous in favor of the motion.
President Edward Serna, Tammie Phillips, Kevin Butler, Joseph Miller and Hannah Small were invited to remain for the executive session.
Trustee Gary Williams moved to end executive session. Trustee David McDonald seconded the motion. The vote was unanimous to end executive session.
Chair McCall reported that no action was taken during executive session and thanked all in attendance.
Adjournment
Hearing no objections, Chair McCall adjourned the meeting at 11:39 a.m.
