At the Winthrop University Board of Trustees retreat last week, the cabinet and I enjoyed spending time with members sharing updates and discussing Winthrop’s future. I provided a Winthrop: United in Excellence strategic plan update for phase 1 and shared ideas on phase 2, which proved very fruitful for discussion. After presentations from vice presidents on a variety of other topics, the board and I discussed their feedback and recommendations.
The board also took action on the following items:
Academic programs and concentrations – The board adopted the following new programs and concentrations, which will move forward to the S.C. Commission on Higher Education for approval:
• Bachelor of Science in applied software engineering
• Bachelor of Science in aviation and business management
• Bachelor of Arts in game design
• Bachelor of Science in educational studies, new concentration in youth impact
• Bachelor of Arts in sociology, new concentrations in pre-law and user experience research
Facilities contracts – The board expressed its support for recent facilities contracts--the Joynes mechanical system removal and replacement as well as the steam line replacement between Joynes and Byrnes--both funded by the state. The first project calls for Joynes Hall’s mechanical system to be removed and replaced by Climate Control Systems Inc. The project will cost $872,000 and will replace the mechanical room and the first- and second-floor fan-coil units. The Byrnes-Joynes steam line replacement will cost $1 million. The project, awarded to McCarter Mechanical, will replace the underground steam and condensate lines between the two buildings.
Honorary degree – Trustees approved an upcoming honorary degree presentation, as recommended by me and the Honorary Degree Review Committee. More to come on that at a later date.
For more details on the board action, the board resolutions are available online.
As always, thank you for your interest in the activities of the Winthrop University Board of Trustees.
Edward
Edward A. Serna
President
