Usually the most action-oriented trustee gathering of the year, the June 23 Winthrop University Board of Trustees meeting did not disappoint as the group unanimously voted to hold the line on tuition, honored faculty members for their service, re-elected leadership, and more.
Tuition at Winthrop University will remain the same for in-state undergraduate students for the fourth year in a row. In addition, land-based graduate tuition will see no increase, while online graduate coursework will be $699 per credit hour, excluding the MBA. Read more about tuition and fees.
The board approved emeritus status for seven retiring faculty members and two recently deceased faculty members, who contributed a combined total of 183 years of service to Winthrop. Members also approved my recommendations for tenure and promotion. Read more about these deserving faculty members.
Trustees re-elected Chairman Glenn McCall to lead the university’s governing body. Kathy Bigham ’73 was re-elected to serve as vice chair. General Counsel Todd Hagins will officially assume the duties as secretary to the board as of July 1. The board also honored former members Julie Fowler ’85, ’88, Tim Hopkins ’83, ’85, ’00 and longtime board secretary Kimberly Faust for meritorious service.
In other action, the board:
* Agreed to decrease tuition nearly 20 percent for students taking online human nutrition graduate courses through Winthrop’s Wylie and Sons partnership, as well as adjusted some course fees for fall offerings.
* Approved work continuing on Winthrop’s development of a Competency-Based Education model, as well as a specific CBE offering this fall aimed at teachers who could benefit from an alternative teaching credential through the Richard W. Riley College of Education.
*Adopted the Campus Master Plan, which will help guide the university’s physical development in future years, along with the strategic planning process which is underway. The master plan includes proposals on new buildings, additions and/or renovations to existing buildings, landscape enhancements and more.
*Approved an agreement with West Virginia University to offer a 4+1 bachelor’s and Master of Business Administration degree program where students work for four years on an economics major at Winthrop and then spend a fifth year at WVU to complete the master’s degree.
*Accepted the recommendation of the strategic planning and facilities committee to move forward with contracts for Byrnes Auditorium, Dacus Library roof replacement, Tillman and Withers fancoil replacement, architectural boxing repairs on Sims, Bancroft, Johnson and Kinard, Wofford and Richardson abatement, and the architect for the Sims and Dalton renovation.
*Directed me to present to the board in October a plan to address decorum at university events.
Later this summer the board is expected to set its meeting dates for 2023-24 and finalize the university’s budget. Thank you for your interest in the activities of the Board of Trustees.
Edward
Edward A. Serna
