Winthrop University
Board of Trustees Executive Committee
Thursday, October 16, 2025
10:00 a.m.
Thompson Conference Room | Tillman Hall
Winthrop University | Rock Hill, South Carolina
Committee Members Present – Trustees Joel Hamilton (Chair), Kathy Bigham, John Brazell (via Zoom), David McDonald (via Zoom), and Gary Williams
Committee Members Absent – Ed Driggers, Randy Imler, Tim Sease
President’s Cabinet Present - President Edward Serna, Kevin Butler, Joseph Miller, Tammie Phillips and Sebastian van Delden
Other Attendees Present – Hannah Small, Ellen Wilder-Bryd
(Only attending Trustees, President Serna, President’s Cabinet, Board Staff, and others presenting or participating in the meeting are noted as attendees).
The Board of Trustees Executive Committee met on Thursday, October 16, 2025, at Winthrop University in Thompson Conference Room.
Roll Call to Establish Quorum
Ms. 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 Welcome
A quorum being present, Chair Joel Hamilton called the meeting to order at 10:01 a.m. and welcomed all present both in person and virtually.
Approval of Executive Committee Minutes of June 12, 2025
Chair Hamilton called for a motion to approve the minutes of the June 12, 2025, meeting. Trustee Gary Williams so moved, seconded by Trustee John Brazell. The vote was unanimous in favor of the motion.
President’s Update
President Serna reported the scorecards were posted for the second phase of the strategic
plan, Winthrop: United in Excellence, and they have been updated on the portal. He
thanked the Board for the funding for phase two and also thanked the vice presidents
for their leadership and hard work. He discussed bringing everyone together in January
for a State of the University update to celebrate the success of the strategic plan
and keep up the momentum.
Census Enrollment Update
Dr. Joseph Miller reported Fall 2025 Census Enrollment was captured on Wednesday, October 1, and reported to the South Carolina Commission on Higher Education for sharing with the general public. In addition to the information reported to CHE, public institutions’ funding model with the State of South Carolina also is aligned with official enrollment. Similarly, credit hour production is determined by official enrollment, which creates the budgetary impacts that are calculated by Vice President Kevin Butler and his team.
Dr. Miller discussed some of the major gains this fall. He reported that a central component of our enrollment strategy is the impact of the compounding growth of student retention and progression, leading to significant overall enrollment growth since Fall 2022. Analysis of the data indicates a consistent year-over-year, positive trend. Winthrop will continue to build on this momentum with the newly formed Office of Student Success in Academic Affairs, and with partners in Student Affairs to provide proactive interventionist strategies to promote healthy retention, progression and student success.
Budget/Finance Update
Mr. Kevin Butler reported on the FY2025 year-end financial report. At the June Board
meeting he expected to finish the year with a $1M deficit but was pleased that the
university finished the year dipping $600K into fund balance, with the uncommitted
fund balance at $13.17M. WUREF funds of $6.88M will be transferred, of which $3.6M
is committed for Courtyard repair and maintenance. This brings the uncommitted fund
balance to $16.5M.
He discussed the FY2027 budget process and state budget requests. As was the case with the FY2026 requests, since the university is requesting tuition mitigation funding, that funding of $2.33M needs to be the primary request. In addition to that, Winthrop is requesting an additional $10M in capital funding for the Tillman renovation, $10M for renovations in academic buildings (primarily to help relocate some of the art programs out of Rutledge), $2.5M for improving campus wireless technology, $750K for a fund to launch new academic programs, $7.5M for various deferred maintenance projects and $2.5M to modify the dam at Winthrop Lake to reduce the likelihood of a catastrophic event.
He provided an update on the FY2027 budget calendar and institutional budget request process. He noted the FY2026 budget was balanced with a last-minute, across-the-board reduction in student wages, operations and travel. As a result of our enrollment success, institutional revenues are projected to outpace budgeted revenues by at least $2.8 million. So, he will plan to request at the October Board meeting a partial restoration of that budget reduction, $1.4M of the $1.8M reduction, and holding an additional $378K as institutional contingency.
Academic Affairs Update
Dr. Sebastian van Delden shared the university’s intent to honor the late Mr. Glenn McCall, in recognition of his accomplishments and service to Winthrop, with a posthumous award of an Honorary Doctorate at the December commencement ceremony. He reported the ACES Flight School ribbon cutting celebrating the new aviation partnership and program will be on Wednesday, November 19. Dr. van Delden also discussed the new student evaluation of teaching instrument and software that will be rolling out this semester as well as the General Education review and infusion of AI currently being investigated by a committee. He also gave an update on strategic projects, highlighting continuing efforts on academic program innovation and Office for Student Success, noting all projects are on track.
Planning and Review for the October Board Meeting
Chair Hamilton 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) (2) for the purposes of
discussion of contractual items related to Winthrop University
Chair Hamilton called for a motion to go into executive session for the purpose of
discussion of negotiations for proposed contractual arrangements and proposed lease
of property for a university program, and discussion and update regarding the facilities
maintenance RFP and proposed contract. Trustee David McDonald so moved, with a second
from Trustee Williams. The vote was unanimous in favor of the motion.
President Serna, Ms. Phillips, Mr. Butler, Dr. van Delden and Ms. Small were invited to remain for the executive session.
Chair Hamilton called for a motion to end executive session. Trustee Williams so moved, seconded by Trustee Kathy Bigham. The vote was unanimous to end executive session.
Chair Hamilton reported that no action was taken during executive session and thanked all in attendance at the meeting.
Adjournment
Chair Hamilton called for a motion to adjourn the meeting. Trustee Brazell so moved, seconded by Trustee Williams. The vote was unanimous to adjourn the meeting. Chair Hamilton adjourned the meeting at 11:34 a.m.
Minutes submitted by Tammie C. Phillips.
