Friday, February 23, 2001
Minutes of Meeting of the Board of Trustees
Members present: Skip Tuttle (Chair), Larry Durham, Bob Gahagan, Sanita Savage Frazier, Anne K. Hall, A. Watts Huckabee, Glenda Owens, Jane Shuler, Bob Thompson, David White, and Anthony J. DiGiorgio (ex officio).
Members absent: E. Thomas Crowson, Mary Jean Martin.
Representatives present: James Johnston, Faculty Council Chair.
Board Staff present: Brien Lewis, Secretary to the Board.
Others present: Amy French, Jennifer Stanley (media representatives); DeeAnna Brooks, Amanda Maghsoud, Charles Maner, Rebecca Masters, J.P. McKee, Tom Moore (Winthrop University staff).
The Board of Trustees met on Friday, February 23, 2001 at 4:00 p.m. in the Conference Room of Middleton Inn at Middleton Place, Charleston, SC.
Call to Order
Skip Tuttle called the meeting to order at 4:05 p.m
Approval of Board Minutes of November 3, 2000
Bob Thompson moved, seconded by David White, to approve the minutes as presented.
This motion passed unanimously by voice vote.
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 February 7, 2001. He stated that the Executive
Committee reviewed and discussed several matters and took two actions, which the Committee
brought to the Board for its consideration in the form of resolutions.
Resolution Honoring Thomas F. Moore for Meritorious Service to the Winthrop University
Faculty Conference and the Winthrop University Board of Trustees
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 Thomas F. Moore, who expressed his thanks to the Board
members for their trust, confidence, and genuine desire to make decisions in the best
interests of the University. President DiGiorgio and Chairman Tuttle expressed their
individual appreciation for Dr. Moore and his efforts to represent the faculty perspective.
Resolution in Support of Equitable Legislative Redistricting
Chairman Tuttle offered the Resolution in the form of a Motion from the Executive
Committee and it was approved by voice vote. David White abstained from this vote.
Chairman Tuttle noted that other highlights of the Committee's meeting were reflected in the draft Committee minutes included in the materials distributed to all Trustees.
Chairman Tuttle reported that the Executive Committee had received an update on the Programming Survey circulated to all Trustees. Trustees discussed the proposed change to the schedule for regular meetings of the Board and agreed to add a full Board session at 11:00 a.m. on an experimental basis for the purpose of receiving presentations or holding dialogues with appropriate groups.
Report of the Academic Affairs Committee
Bob Thompson reported that the Committee had met and approved the minutes of its November
meeting. He also reported that there were no other items on the Committee's agenda.
Report of the Finance Committee
Bob Gahagan reported that the Committee had met and approved the minutes of its November
meeting. He also reported that there were no other items on the Committee's agenda.
Report of the University Relations Committee
Jane Shuler reported that the Committee had met and approved the minutes of its November
meeting. She also reported that there were no other items on the Committee's agenda.
Report from the Chair of Faculty Conference
Newly elected Faculty Conference Chair James Johnston introduced himself and was welcomed
by the Board. Dr. Johnston expressed his appreciation for the Board's role and stated
his intention to provide open lines of communication. He also noted his love for
teaching and his abiding interest in students.
Dr. Johnston reported that General Education revisions continue moving forward, with an Honors course to be piloted in Fall 2001 and the objective of piloting The Human Experience II in Spring 2002. He noted that the process had been very helpful to date in producing the set of "competencies" expected of all students but stated that there was still not consensus on the implementation of a new General Education curriculum.
He also reported that Faculty Conference had charged him to report that it had unanimously endorsed a letter from Dr. Bill Rogers of the Biology Department expressing opposition to the proposal to locate a high school on the Farm property. Dr. Johnston reported that Dr. Rogers' letter had noted the distinctive educational value of this property to students and faculty and that this property would also play a key role in the new programs planned in Environmental Science and Environmental Studies
Report from the Student Government Association President
Rodney Brown was unable to attend the Board meeting.
Report from the President
President DiGiorgio reported that the self-study for the accreditation reaffirmation
from the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools had been completed and was the
most thorough document of its type he had ever seen. He noted that this was the result
of a tremendous team effort led by Drs. Sarah Stallings and Nick Ross. He reported
that the preliminary visit by the chair of the visiting team, Dr. Fred Obear, had
been very successful and that Dr. Obear had warmly complimented the preparations made
so far for the March visit of the reaffirmation team.
President DiGiorgio reported on the most recent developments in the efforts to establish an Institutional Campus zoning category in the City of Rock Hill that would encompass the properties owned by the University. He noted that the process of further review by the task force appointed by the mayor, and then subsequent meetings of the Planning Commission and City Council, would likely take six months. The President also stated that efforts are still underway to include Water Street into the campus as well as closing the west end of Myrtle Drive.
Old Business
There was no Old Business.
New Business
There was no New Business.
Executive Session
Bob Gahagan moved that the Board go into Executive Session for discussion of 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.
Recess
Upon returning to public session, Bob Thompson moved that the Board recess until Saturday,
February 24 at 9:00 a.m. The Motion was seconded by Watts Huckabee and approved unanimously
by voice vote. The Board recessed at 5:30 p.m.
The Board of Trustees held a dinner on Friday, February 23, 2001 at 6:30 p.m. in the Dining Room of Middleton Inn at Middleton Place, Charleston, SC. After dinner Dan Jones, President of the Public Policy Group, LLC, gave a presentation on the status of budget and legislative affairs in the South Carolina General Assembly. The Board took no actions during this event.
Saturday, February 24, 2001
Members present: Skip Tuttle (Chair), Larry Durham, Bob Gahagan, Sanita Savage Frazier, Anne K. Hall, A. Watts Huckabee, Glenda Owens, Jane Shuler, Bob Thompson, David White, and Anthony J. DiGiorgio (ex officio).
Members absent: E. Thomas Crowson, Mary Jean Martin.
Representatives present: James Johnston, Faculty Council Chair.
Board Staff present: Brien Lewis, Secretary to the Board.
Others present: Amy French, Jennifer Stanley (media representatives); DeeAnna Brooks, Amanda Maghsoud, Charles Maner, Rebecca Masters, J.P. McKee, Tom Moore (Winthrop University staff).
The Board of Trustees met on Saturday, February 24, 2001 at 9:00 a.m. in the Conference Room of Middleton Inn at Middleton Place, Charleston, SC.
Call to Order
Skip Tuttle called the meeting to order at 9:00 a.m.
"A University Budget Primer"
Vice President for Finance and Business J.P. McKee and Associate Vice President for
Finance and Business Amanda Maghsoud made a presentation to the Board on the topics
of Current Unrestricted Funds and Current Unrestricted Revenues. They reported on
the revenue and expenditure categories associated with these funds and the restrictions
on transferring funds between the different fund groups.
"2002 Budget Preview"
Vice President for Finance and Business J.P. McKee and Associate Vice President for
Finance and Business Amanda Maghsoud made a presentation to the Board on potential
impacts on the University's budget under a series of different scenarios involving
cuts in state appropriations. They also reviewed the University's pending budget
commitments and unbudgeted (though anticipated) funding commitments. They then reviewed
a series of possible actions for the University and the Board to consider taking depending
on the severity of budget cuts. A report on revisions to the Mission Resource Requirement
and its impact on funding was also reviewed.
The Board then took a lunch recess from 12:15 p.m. until 1:15 p.m.
"Campus Development and Growth"
President DiGiorgio reviewed the facilities needs addressed in the past year, including
projects that had been completed and those that remain in progress. He then made
a presentation to the Board outlining needs in the areas of academic facilities, athletic
and recreational facilities, and student residence halls. President DiGiorgio and
Vice President McKee then reviewed the plan for funding residence hall capital improvements.
Trustees commented that the plan was a sound one and encouraged the President to proceed
with it. The President noted that he would bring individual items to the Board for
action as appropriate in the implementation of the capital improvements plan.
Executive Session
Bob Gahagan moved that the Board go into Executive Session for discussion of contractual
and personnel matters. Bob Thompson seconded the motion, which was approved unanimously
by voice vote. The Board then convened in Executive Session. No actions were taken
in Executive Session.
Recess
Upon returning to public session, Bob Thompson moved that the Board recess until Sunday,
February 25 at 9:00 a.m. The Motion was seconded by Bob Gahagan and approved unanimously
by voice vote. The Board recessed at 5:30 p.m.
The Board of Trustees held a dinner on Friday, February 23, 2001 at 7:30 p.m. at the Charleston Grill, Charleston, SC. The Board took no actions during this event.
Sunday, February 25, 2001
Members present: Skip Tuttle (Chair), Larry Durham, Bob Gahagan, Anne K. Hall, A. Watts Huckabee, Glenda Owens, Jane Shuler, Bob Thompson, David White, and Anthony J. DiGiorgio (ex officio).
Members absent: E. Thomas Crowson, Mary Jean Martin, Sanita Savage Frazier.
Representatives present: James Johnston, Faculty Council Chair.
Board Staff present: Brien Lewis, Secretary to the Board.
Others present: Amy French, Jennifer Stanley (media representatives); DeeAnna Brooks, Rebecca Masters, J.P. McKee (Winthrop University staff); Bill Kelly, Phil McDaniel, Bob Norwood, Kathy Pender (Rock Hill School District Three representatives).
The Board of Trustees met on Sunday, February 25, 2001 at 9:00 a.m. in the Conference Room of Middleton Inn at Middleton Place, Charleston, SC.
Call to Order
Skip Tuttle called the meeting to order at 9:10 a.m.
"Ventures"
President DiGiorgio made a presentation to the Board suggesting a framework for discussing
future initiatives for the University. Among the topics he discussed were how the
University could sustain excellence through maintaining accreditations, making final
decisions about revising the General Education curriculum, steps to be taken in renewing
the intellectual climate of the campus, revitalizing existing degree programs, and
exploring new degree programs. The President also discussed the need to preserve
and enhance campus facilities and to plan for growth. He then outlined some possible
initiatives in the areas of infusing global perspectives, technology and leadership
throughout the Winthrop community and educational experience. President DiGiorgio
concluded by noting that in order to build a learning community and achieve institutional
distinction, the University would have to ensure that its innovations would be sustainable
over time.
Presentation by Representatives of Rock Hill School District Three
Chairman Tuttle welcomed Bill Kelly, Phil McDaniel, Bob Norwood and Kathy Pender as
representatives of Rock Hill School District Three representatives. Chairman Tuttle
advised the Board that Rock Hill School District Three had made a formal request to
present a proposal for the location of a new high school on Winthrop property known
as The Farm. He noted that the proposal involved contractual issues including a potential
sale of property.
Bob Gahagan moved, seconded by Jane Shuler, that the Board go into Executive Session for discussion of contractual matters and that the Rock Hill School District Three representatives be invited to attend the Executive Session for the purpose of addressing contractual issues. Amy French stated an objection to the executive session on behalf of The Charlotte Observer. Jennifer Stanley stated an objection to the executive session on behalf of The Rock Hill Herald. The Board then convened in Executive Session. No actions were taken in Executive Session.
Upon return to Open Session, members of the Board of Trustees asked several questions of the School District representatives relating to the number of students projected to attend the new school, the planned facilities for the school, and possible shared use of facilities. President DiGiorgio read from a letter he had received from Winthrop University Athletics Director Tom Hickman enumerating issues of concern from the view of the Athletics Department. James Johnston reported that the Faculty Conference had unanimously voted to state their opposition to the School District's proposal. Anne Hall noted that the Alumni Association Executive Board had voted in favor of a resolution expressing that body's concern about the School District's proposal. There was discussion by the Trustees and the representatives of the School District regarding the possible positive and negative effects of the School District's proposal.
At the conclusion of the discussion Bob Gahagan moved that the Winthrop University Board of Trustees respectfully decline the School District's proposal for the use of a portion of the Winthrop Farm for the location of a high school. Jane Shuler seconded the Motion. There was discussion by the Trustees on the Motion. David White called for the question. The Board unanimously approved the Motion by voice vote.
Chairman Tuttle thanked the School District representatives for their time and expressed the Board's appreciation for bringing the proposal to the Board for consideration. He noted that the Board wished the School District well in its efforts to find an appropriate location for a new high school. Chairman Tuttle stated the Board looked forward to the School District and the University continuing and intensifying their collaborative efforts.
Adjournment
Bob Gahagan moved, seconded by Bob Thompson, that the Board adjourn. The motion was
approved unanimously by voice vote and the Board adjourned at 12:05 p.m.
Minutes submitted by Brien Lewis, Secretary to the Board.
