Minutes of the Meeting of the Winthrop University Board of Trustees
November 3, 2000
Members present: Skip Tuttle (Chair), E. Thomas Crowson, Bob Gahagan, Sanita Savage Frazier, Anne K. Hall, A. Watts Huckabee, Mary Jean Martin, Glenda Owens, Jane Shuler, Bob Thompson, David White, and Anthony J. DiGiorgio (ex officio).
Members absent: Larry Durham.
Representatives present: Tom Moore, Faculty Council Chair.
Staff present: Brien Lewis, Secretary to the Board.
Guests present: Students, faculty, staff, and media representatives.
The Board of Trustees met on Friday, November 3, 2000 at 1:00 p.m. in the Dunlap-Roddey Room, Winthrop University, Rock Hill, SC.
Call to Order
Skip Tuttle called the meeting to order at 1:00 p.m.
Approval of Board Minutes of June 8, 2000
Bob Thompson moved to amend the minutes of June 8 as presented for each of the two
resolutions where it was reported that the motion was "approved unanimously by voice
vote" to read that the resolutions were "approved by voice vote". Jane Shuler seconded
the motion, which was approved unanimously by voice vote. Bob Thompson moved, seconded
by Jane Shuler, to approve the amended minutes. This motion passed unanimously by
voice vote.
Approval of Board Minutes of June 9, 2000
Bob Thompson moved, seconded by Jane Shuler, to approve the minutes as presented.
This motion passed unanimously by voice vote.
Report of the Academic Affairs Committee
Bob Thompson reported that Vice President Wilson had reviewed the year's academic
Goals and Objectives and that they were extensive and aspirational. He noted that
NCATE is moving from measuring 20 standards to only measuring 6 that are performance-based
and have a stronger emphasis on accountability.
Resolution to Offer Bachelor of Arts in Environmental Studies and Bachelor of Science
in Environmental Science
Bob Thompson offered the Resolution in the form of a Motion from the Academic Affairs
Committee and it was approved unanimously by voice vote.
Bob Thompson noted that several program review site visits were scheduled, that the CHE staff will be reviewing the position papers from each sector on performance funding indicators, and that the General Education pilot courses will begin in the Spring 2001 semester. He also reported on the progress of the Self Study Report for the SACS reaccreditation visit. Bob Thompson noted that a third summer session might be required for programs for teachers seeking national certification. He reported that the Committee had toured the new broadcasting installations in Johnson and was impressed with the new equipment. He also noted that there is an initiative underway to secure a 100-watt FM station on campus as the Federal Communications Commission is making new licenses available. Bob Thompson then thanked Chairman Tuttle for allowing him to make his report earlier than scheduled on the agenda and left the meeting.
Report of the Executive Committee
Chairman Tuttle reported that the Executive Committee of the Board of Trustees met
in Rock Hill during the afternoon of October 18, 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 Mamie C. Bush for Outstanding Service to Winthrop University
Chairman Tuttle offered the Resolution in the form of a Motion from the Executive
Committee and it was approved unanimously by voice vote. He then read the Resolution
and made a presentation to Mamie C. Bush, who expressed her thanks to the Board and
to the university community.
Resolution to Approve Implementation of Futuresteps 2001
Chairman Tuttle offered the Resolution in the form of a Motion from the Executive
Committee and it was approved unanimously by voice vote.
Resolution to Adopt Revisions to Strategic Plan
Chairman Tuttle offered the Resolution in the form of a Motion from the Executive
Committee and it was approved unanimously by voice vote.
Resolution Authorizing the Issuance of State Institution Bonds
Chairman Tuttle offered the Resolution in the form of a Motion from the Executive
Committee and it was approved unanimously by voice vote.
Resolution Authorizing the Issuance of Athletic Facility Bonds
Chairman Tuttle offered the Resolution in the form of a Motion from the Executive
Committee and it was approved unanimously by voice vote.
Resolution Authorizing the Issuance of Debt for the Purchase of Personal Computers
Chairman Tuttle offered the Resolution in the form of a Motion from the Executive
Committee and it was approved unanimously by voice vote.
Chairman Tuttle noted that other highlights of the Committee's meeting included an
update from the President on support expressed for his proposal on designating as
"institutions of distinction" those colleges and universities that repeatedly excel
in performance funding indicators. President DiGiorgio reported that since the Executive
Committee's meeting he had received word that the Council of Presidents would not
be endorsing the proposal. He noted that many of the presidents did not want to be
seen as supporting a performance-funding system to which they already have significant
objections.
Chairman Tuttle reported that the Executive Committee had received an update on the progress in Congress on federal funding for facilities on campuses that fit the definition of being historically women's institutions. President DiGiorgio noted that the measure had passed the House of Representatives and was awaiting action by the Senate.
Chairman Tuttle reported that the Committee had received a report on the development of web-based courses and course supplements through the use of WebCT. He also noted that the Committee had reviewed plans for renovating the Good Building to house the new Center of Excellence in Early Childhood Education.
Report of the Finance Committee
Bob Gahagan reported that the Finance Committee had received a presentation on basic
university financial management and that it had been extremely helpful. He encouraged
the Board to consider having the same presentation made to the full Board at the February
2001 Retreat. He expressed the Committee's appreciation to J.P. McKee and Amanda
Maghsoud for the presentation.
Resolution to Approve the Fee Schedule for EMBA Program
Bob Gahagan offered the Resolution in the form of a Motion from the Finance Committee.
The Resolution passed unanimously by voice vote.
Resolution to Approve 2000-2001 Operating Budget
Bob Gahagan offered the Resolution in the form of a Motion from the Finance Committee.
The Resolution passed unanimously by voice vote.
Bob Gahagan reported that the Committee had received an update on renovations to the Sims Building and that the project is scheduled for completion in July 2001. He also reported that Information Technology had refurbished several computer labs and that the first 24-hour lab will be available in Phelps.
Report of the University Relations Committee
Jane Shuler reported that the Committee had reviewed the Goals and Objectives of the
Athletic Department and noted that the Cross-Country Team had won the Big South Championship.
She reported that the men's and women's basketball teams could be on television as
many as nine times during the course of the season. She also noted that the Athletic
Department is aiming to generate more funds for scholarships through the Eagle Club
with a goal of $100,000.00. Jane Shuler also reported on improvements to facilities
including the Coliseum floor and scoreboard, seating and a press box for the soccer
and baseball fields, and a computer room for student-athletes at the Coliseum. She
also noted that a plan is in place to hire a women's soccer coach in the summer of
2001 with the goal of fielding a team in August 2002. She reported that the Committee
had welcomed Traci Statler as the new CHAMPS/Life Skills Director.
Jane Shuler also reported that the Committee had received a report from University Relations on a review being undertaken of alumni participation and giving, particularly in the area of opportunities presented by technology. She reported that that the Capital Campaign, in its fourth year, had crossed the $20 million mark while annual giving had increased 27 per cent.
Jane Shuler reported that the Committee had toured the remodeled Career Services site in Sykes House, had been introduced to the new Web Developer, William Harris, and had toured the new Service Learning Center in Dinkins as well as the renovated Bookworm. She noted that Requests for Proposals were being developed for food services and cable television.
Report from the Chair of Faculty Conference
Faculty Conference Chair Tom Moore reported on the development of the General Education
pilot courses. He emphasized that they were only pilots at this stage and that formal
changes to the General Education curriculum had not yet occurred. He also noted that
there is significant confidence in the pilot courses and that positive results were
expected. He reported that advisors were promoting the courses, that presentations
were made to Writing 101 and 102 classes and that the CISM Director was also publicizing
the new courses to students. He noted that the goal is to garner a broad cross section
of first year students in the pilot courses.
Tom Moore recommended to the Trustees a book entitled "Forbidden Knowledge" that is part of the course reading for Liberal Arts 601. He noted that this work cautions people to be aware of the incompleteness of their knowledge.
Report from the Student Government Association President
Rodney Brown was ill and unable to attend the Board meeting.
Report from the President
President DiGiorgio introduced Margaret Anne Comer, a new staff member in the Office
of the President. He noted that she would be serving as an Executive Support Specialist
with primary involvement in University Events.
President DiGiorgio reported that enrollment news was extremely positive as reflected
in a host of qualitative and quantitative firsts. He noted that the student body
exceeds 6,000 for the first time. Simultaneously, the diversity and SAT scores of
the student body have increased. He noted that retention efforts are working and
that a record number of transfer students had come to Winthrop.
President DiGiorgio also reported on the significant efforts to "get out the vote" on Election Day. He noted that the Student Government Association had led absentee balloting and voter registration drives.
President DiGiorgio reported that a unique loan had been presented to the College of Business Administration by Larry and Vivian Carroll in the form of a $100,000 student-managed brokerage account. Any surplus generated by the students will be used to fund faculty development activities in the College of Business while the Carrolls will absorb any losses incurred. President DiGiorgio and Dean Roger Weikle lauded this initiative as a real-world opportunity for students in investment classes.
Old Business
There was no Old Business.
New Business
There was no New Business.
Executive Session
Anne Hall moved that the Board go into Executive Session for discussion of personnel
and contractual matters. David White 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 Gahagan moved that the Board adjourn. The Motion
was seconded by Watts Huckabee and approved unanimously by voice vote.
