WHEREAS, pursuant to S.C. Code Ann. §59–125–1, et. seq., the Board of Trustees of Winthrop University is created and established as a body corporate for the purpose of effectuating the educational mission of Winthrop University; and
WHEREAS, pursuant to the Winthrop University Board of Trustees Bylaws art. IV, sec. C , the Board shall have general responsibility for the scope of educational programs, and pursuant to art. IV, sec. D, the Board has general oversight of institutional operating and capital budgets, planning, projects, procurements and setting fiscal priorities; and
WHEREAS, it is the Board of Trustees' duty to ensure that long-term partnerships and other significant educational endeavors align with the university’s strategic objectives and enhance Winthrop’s stature as a regional comprehensive public university; and
WHEREAS, the University’s strategic plan, Winthrop: United in Excellence, has among its desired outcomes offering “flexible, innovative, and high-quality educational experiences that transcend the limitations of our physical campus;” and
WHEREAS, Winthrop has been in discussions with the Town of Fort Mill, on the State of South Carolina’s northern border, regarding the establishment of an instructional site downtown where strategic goals can come together, including replicating an early childhood laboratory school setting, enhancing Dual Enrollment program options, and offering advanced degree programs, certifications, and industry engagements; and
WHEREAS, the Winthrop University administration, including the President and campus leadership in Academic Affairs, Finance and Business Affairs, Enrollment Management, and University Advancement, have thoroughly vetted the establishment of an instructional site and believe that the opportunity is in Winthrop’s best interest and will yield new students, donors, and partnerships beyond even what is currently planned; and
WHEREAS, the potential 10-year agreement is contingent upon finalizing the budget and resources for upfit of the available instructional site location, including the potential for various funding sources.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that on April 30, 2026, the Winthrop University Board of Trustees hereby endorses the mutually beneficial partnership and pledges to offer educational experiences as the progress of the times may require from the downtown Fort Mill location, as specified through a resulting Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to be finalized as soon as funding to upfit the instructional site location is secured.
FURTHER RESOLVED that the Secretary to the Board of Trustees shall certify that the Winthrop University Board of Trustees approved this resolution on April 30, 2026, in a regular meeting scheduled by the Winthrop University Board of Trustees. Such resolution shall be maintained and publicly posted by the Secretary of the Board in a time and manner as required by law.
