ROCK HILL, SOUTH CAROLINA – Winthrop University Board of Trustees approved on June 24 a transfer partnership agreement with York Technical College to continue strengthening the pathways between the two institutions for students.
The agreement abides by state guidelines that students who have earned an associate degree will receive a minimum of 60 transfer credit hours at a four-year institution and shall be given junior status, which took effect at Winthrop on June 1. Already, there have been pathways mapped out in 32 Winthrop degree programs to allow for a clear direction for prospective students when they begin college at York Tech.
“The partnership advances the missions of both Winthrop and York Tech and will increase degree attainment for area residents seeking credentials in higher education,” said Interim President George Hynd. “It will allow for a seamless transfer of York Tech graduates to Winthrop. This is a win-win for both institutions, and I am grateful for York Tech’s continued partnership in this initiative.”
The transfer policy was drafted and approved by Faculty Conference in October 2021 in order for it to go into effect for the upcoming academic year.
In other action, board members:
Honored Interim President George Hynd for his more than two years of leadership and conducted his annual performance review, giving him a rating of exceeds expectations. In the review, trustees noted the positive results from the reaccreditation process, his work on the comprehensive job classification and employee compensation study, the university’s response to COVID-19, and the finalization of the Campus Master Plan and Campus Beautification Initiative.
Thanked Dr. Jane LaRoche for her 16 years of service on the Board of Trustees. She served as a representative of the Alumni Association, and this meeting marked her last as a trustee.
Conferred emeritus status to seven retiring faculty members.
Approved a 10-12 hour graduate certificate in art education intended for art teachers, graduate students and others.
Voted to reduce the tuition for the online Master of Social Work program from $950 to $699 per credit hour in order to remain competitive.
Approved a $1.5 million contract to fix the electrical substation behind Withers/W.T.S. Building.
Approved an international educational cooperation with La Compagnie de Formation – ISCOM Montpellier to exchange students and faculty members and provide opportunities for research and scholarship. Under the agreement, up to 15 French students may attend Winthrop in order to receive an undergraduate degree in integrated marketing.
Approved the hiring of Peter Judge, professor emeritus of philosophy and religious studies, as interim provost through the 2022-23 academic year, Chuck Rey, interim athletic director, who will take on the permanent role; Gary Simrill ’91, who recently announced his retirement from the General Assembly where he has served as the S.C. House Majority Leader, as a special assistant to the president for community engagement; and Karen Oremus, professor and chair of the Department of Fine Arts, as interim dean of the College of Visual and Performing Arts.
Accepted the recommendations of the committees on various contracts and MOUs as well as an increased environmental safety fee.
For more information, contact Judy Longshaw, news and media services manager, at longshawj@winthrop.edu or at 803/323-2404.
