Minutes of the Meeting of the Winthrop University Board of Trustees
June 8, 2000
Members present: David White (Chair), E. Thomas Crowson, Larry Durham, Bob Gahagan,
Sanita Savage Frazier, Anne K. Hall, A. Watts Huckabee, Mary Anne Lake, Mary Jean
Martin, Jane Shuler, Bob Thompson, Skip Tuttle, and Anthony J. DiGiorgio (ex officio).
Members absent: None
Representatives present: Janice Chism, Academic Council Chair; Rodney Brown, Student Government Association President
Staff present: Brien Lewis, Secretary to the Board.
Guests present: Students, faculty, staff, and media representatives.
The Board of Trustees met on Friday, June 9, 2000 at 1:00 p.m. in the Dunlap-Roddey Room, Winthrop University, Rock Hill, SC.
Call to Order
David White called the meeting to order at 1:00 p.m. He welcomed Janice Chism, Academic
Council Chair, serving as the Faculty Representative in the absence of Faculty Conference
Chair Tom Moore. He also welcomed Rodney Brown, the newly elected President of the
Student Government Association and Student Representative to the Board. Chairman
White also recognized the newly elected Vice President of the Student Government Association,
Jerrod Lowry. Chairman White also recognized Dr. David Franklin, retiring Dean of
the College of Visual and Performing Arts, noting that Dr. Franklin had agreed to
serve as Acting Associate Vice President for Graduate Studies.
Approval of Board Minutes of April 12, 2000
Bob Thompson moved to approve the Minutes as presented. Watts Huckabee seconded the
motion, which passed unanimously by voice vote.
Report of the Executive Committee
Chairman White reported that the Executive Committee of the Board of Trustees met
in Rock Hill during the afternoon of May 31, 2000. He stated that the Executive Committee
reviewed and discussed several matters and took several actions, which the Committee
brought to the Board for its consideration in the form of resolutions.
Resolution Honoring Mary Anne Lake for Outstanding Service to Winthrop University
David White offered the Resolution in the form of a Motion from the Executive Committee
and it was approved unanimously by voice vote. Mary Anne Lake expressed her thanks
to the Board and to the university community, noting that it had been a joy to serve
on the Board. She expressed her admiration and confidence in the leadership of the
President, the administration and the Board.
Resolution Honoring David White for Outstanding Service to Winthrop University
Vice Chairman Skip Tuttle offered the Resolution in the form of a Motion from the
Executive Committee and it was approved unanimously by voice vote. Chairman White
thanked the Board and noted he would save his remarks until later in the meeting.
Resolution to Amend By-Laws to Create Article I, Section E
David White offered the Resolution in the form of a Motion from the Executive Committee
and it was approved unanimously by voice vote.
Chairman White noted that other highlights of the Committee's meeting included an update from the President on the status of funding for capital projects, particularly Peabody, Sims, and the Rutledge roof and a report on the Legislative budget process for Appropriations. He noted that the Committee also received general updates on the Performance Funding Results, on progress of the planned improvements to Intercollegiate Athletics facilities, and on the results of the Sims bids and the present construction schedule for those renovations. Chairman White also reported that Dr. DiGiorgio updated the Executive Committee on the University of Montevallo's initiative to secure federal funding for preservation of buildings on the campuses of historically Women's Colleges. He noted that the supporters of the bill in Congress are cautiously optimistic it will be passed this year or next. Chairman White reported that the Committee received an update on the development this summer of pilot courses for a new General Education curriculum. The Executive Committee also received the regular quarterly reports. Chairman White also reported that the Executive Committee had an executive session for discussion of personnel and contractual matters and that no action was taken in the executive session. At the conclusion of the Executive Session the Executive Committee agreed upon two resolutions, one regarding an extension of the President's contract and a second regarding the President's evaluation under the Agency Head Performance Evaluation process.
Chairman White stated that those matters had also been discussed in the Executive Session of the full Board held on June 8, 2000. He reported that at the conclusion of the June 8 Executive Session the Board had returned to Open Session last night and taken votes on both resolutions in Open Session. Chairman White stated that it was now his understanding that the public notification regarding the Board's activities of June 8 and June 9 did not indicate that there would be any public action taken on June 9. Chairman White stated that it was his view and ruling as Chair that the votes taken June 8 were, therefore, ineffective and invalid. He stated that it would be appropriate to have those two matters reintroduced as Motions from the Executive Committee for consideration by the full Board.
Resolution Regarding 1999-2000 Performance Evaluation of President Anthony J. DiGiorgio
David White offered the Resolution in the form of a Motion from the Executive Committee
and it was approved by voice vote with one dissenting vote cast by Thomas Crowson.
Resolution Regarding Contract Extension for President Anthony J. DiGiorgio
David White offered the Resolution in the form of a Motion from the Executive Committee
and it was approved by voice vote with one dissenting vote cast by Thomas Crowson.
Report of the Academic Affairs Committee
Resolution to Confer Emeritus Faculty Status
Bob Thompson offered the Resolution in the form of a Motion from the Academic Affairs
Committee and it passed unanimously by voice vote.
Bob Thompson reported that the Academic Affairs Committee had received a report on faculty who had recently been promoted and/or awarded tenure. He reported that the Committee had been apprised of planned revisions for the Bachelor of Fine Arts in Visual Communications that would divide the program into separate tracks for graphic design and illustration. He noted that this would not require approval from the CHE.
Bob Thompson also reported that the Committee had received updates on plans for the Deans' Retreat, the fall Academic Leadership Retreat, and development of pilot courses and competencies for General Education. He also reported that the Committee had discussed the Performance Funding process and the preparations for the SACS reaccreditation visit. President DiGiorgio noted that Dr. Fred Obear, former President of the University of Tennessee-Chattanooga, would be serving as the Chair of the visiting accreditation team.
Bob Thompson also reported that the Committee had received presentations regarding the Arts in Basic Curriculum program and a recent trip by MBA students to Wall Street and Washington, D.C.
Report of the Finance Committee
Skip Tuttle reported that the Finance Committee had received reports indicating that
the budget was in balance and may show a small positive balance for the year. He
noted that it was still unclear what the legislature would do and this would impact
on the university's budget plans but that the university's goal would be to raise
student fees by no more than the Higher Education Price Index of 3.3 per cent.
Resolution to Approve Student Fees for 2000-2001
Skip Tuttle offered the Resolution in the form of a Motion from the Finance Committee
with one amendment to the third "whereas" clause changing the reference to "1999-2000"
to "2000-2001". The Amended Resolution passed unanimously by voice vote.
Skip Tuttle noted the tuition assistance policy that allows state employees at state institutions to take six credit hours per semester free of charge is a good recruitment and retention tool that serves the university well. He also noted that it would be an excellent idea to allow departments to encourage qualified employees to participate in the Executive MBA program with financial support coming from the departmental budget in exchange for a commitment by the employee to remain at Winthrop for two years. Skip Tuttle noted that this item had been brought to the Committee for counsel but that action by the Board was not required.
Skip Tuttle reported that the Committee had received updates on a lengthy list of campus improvements and renovations as well as planned projects such as renovations to Sims and Thomson and construction of a new baseball park. He noted the Committee's observations that the campus looks new and fresh and is being extremely well served by Facilities Management.
Report of the University Relations Committee
Bob Gahagan reported that the Committee had been introduced to Cheryl Nix, the new
Head Women's Basketball Coach. He also noted that the Committee had been advised
that the cumulative grade point average for student athletes was 2.90 and that the
women's volleyball team had a 3.6 average, with six players achieving 4.0. He also
reported that the Eagle Club Auction had raised $54,000, its largest total ever.
Bob Gahagan also reported that the Committee had reviewed the progress of the Capital Campaign, which has reached a total of $20 million to date. He also noted that the Annual Fund would exceed its goal and that significant portions of these dollars are dedicated to unrestricted scholarships.
Bob Gahagan reported that the Committee had received updates on the REACH retention initiative, the increasing number of transfer students anticipated, and community service activities including the AmeriCorps program.
Report of the Committee on Nominations
Bob Thompson offered the following slate of officers for the 2000-2001 Board term
in the form of a Motion from the Committee on Nominations: Skip Tuttle for Chairman,
Bob Gahagan for Vice Chairman, and Anne Hall for Secretary. Chairman White asked
if there were any other nominations from the floor. There were none. Mary Anne Lake
moved that the slate presented by the Committee on Nominations be accepted by acclamation.
The slate of officers was acclaimed unanimously by voice vote.
Report from the Chair of Faculty Conference
Academic Council Chair appeared on behalf of Faculty Conference Chair Tom Moore.
She presented a written report from Tom Moore in which he noted the progress on the
General Education pilot courses entitled Human Experience I and Critical Thinking.
He also expressed the faculty's appreciation for the service of Mary Anne Lake to
the university and the Board.
Report from the Student Government Association President
Rodney Brown reported that the Student Government Association was planning its fall
retreat and that it planned to participate in orientation activities and encourage
school spirit.
Report from the President
President DiGiorgio updated the Board on the General Assembly's deliberations on budgetary
matters. He noted that the Tuition Proviso had been made permanent by legislative
action and that authority for refinancing of the Coliseum had also been approved by
the legislature.
President DiGiorgio also reported that he had received recommendations from the Traffic and Parking Committee and would implement increases in parking fees and fines for parking violations. President DiGiorgio provided an update on the budgetary and planning activities of the Executive Officers. He also noted the ongoing zoning discussions with the City of Rock Hill regarding the creation of an "institutional campus" zoning designation.
President DiGiorgio expressed his appreciation for the Board's support and confidence and his thanks to Mary Anne Lake for her service.
Report from the Board Chair
Outgoing Chairman David White expressed his thanks to the Board for the Resolution
honoring his service as Board Chair. He also thanked the Board members for their
leadership and collegiality and stated that he appreciated serving during such a positive
period of time. He commended the President for his vision and the faculty and student
representatives for their advice and guidance. Chairman White also noted the important
role and responsibility of the Board and stated that he looked forward to his continued
service as a member of the Board.
Chairman White urged the Board to continue the effective fundraising work underway,
to continue encouraging an understanding of external constituencies, to continue improving
relations with the faculty, to protect and preserve the university's real properties,
and to work to improve the university's clout with the General Assembly.
Old Business
There was no Old Business.
New Business
There was no New Business.
Executive Session
Bob Thompson moved that the Board go into Executive Session for discussion of personnel
and contractual matters. Watts Huckabee seconded the motion, which was approved unanimously
by voice vote. The Board then convened in Executive Session. No actions were taken
in Executive Session.
Adjournment
Upon returning to public session, Bob Thompson moved that the Board adjourn. The
Motion was seconded by Larry Durham and approved unanimously by voice vote. The Board
adjourned at 5:15 p.m.
