Faculty and Staff - February 22, 2021

Dear Colleagues:

Last week the Board of Trustees held its annual two-day retreat during which members heard updates on a number of initiatives and listened to presentations by the deans. If you were not able to view the public portions of the meetings via Zoom, I wanted to briefly update you on action items on which the trustees voted. In short, trustees:

  • Approved a $21 million bond issue to renovate Phelps and Lee Wicker residence halls and Thomson Eatery. The $21 million will be divided; $9 million will be earmarked for housing while up to $12 million will go toward dining. The bond money will be used to replace the Phelps Hall roof; renovate Lee Wicker Hall to include mechanical, electrical, plumbing, HVAC and roof replacement, as well as interior updates; and renovate Thomson Eatery, or if cost effective, construct a new dining hall. 
  • Voted to leave in place the discounted fee structure for Summer Session 2021. At the onset of COVID-19, in recognition of the financial challenges facing students and their families, Winthrop board members approved a plan to discount tuition for all courses taken during the summer, including undergraduate, graduate and graduate online.

You may read the full press release on the board action, and, as always, I’m grateful for the board’s leadership.

Upcoming Faculty/Staff Town Hall

I would like for you to save the date of March 2 at 11 a.m. for our third virtual faculty/staff town hall. I invite you to join me and other senior leaders for this discussion on the university’s budget and finances, the latest COVID-19 testing and vaccination information, plans for the 2021-22 academic year and more. I invite your questions to be shared with us in advance by noon on Thursday, Feb. 25, at townhalls@winthrop.edu or, if time during the meeting, asked/answered online toward the end of the virtual gathering.

The town hall meeting will be accessible via Blackboard Collaborate Ultra on March 2 at 11 a.m.  A video recording also will be made available following the town hall if you are unable to participate live. More details on how to view the town hall will be provided by e-mail on Monday, March 1.

Please know that you are a valued member of the Winthrop community, and we look forward to hearing from you. I hope you can join us. 

Sincerely,

George

George W. Hynd
Interim President