Friday, January 31, 2020
Teleconference originating in the Gold Room, DiGiorgio Campus Center
Winthrop University, Rock Hill, SC
Members present: Kathy Bigham, Julie Fowler, Tim Hopkins, Randy Imler, Dr. Jane LaRoche, Glenn McCall, Tim Sease, Robby Sisco, Janet Smalley, Isaiah Venning, Ashlye Wilkerson, and Gary Williams
Members absent:Donna Glenn Holley, Ed Driggers, Sandra Stroman, President Mahony (ex-officio)
Representatives present: Imani Belton, Student Representative; Dr. Adolphus Belk, Jr. Faculty Representative
Representatives absent: None
Others present: Judy Longshaw, Justin Oates, Kirk McSwain, Tammie Phillips, Caroline Overcash, Amanda Harris of The Herald, Brooke Frierson of Winthrop Close-up, Rachel Richardson of CN2, Kennedi Harris of Palmetto Report and Anna Sharpe, Matt Thrift, and Tate Walden of the Herald, additional faculty and staff of Winthrop University
The Board of Trustees met on Friday, January 31, 2020 on the campus of Winthrop University, Rock Hill, SC.
Call to Order
Chair McCall called the meeting to order at 11:30 a.m. in the Gold Room, DiGiorgio Campus Center. He welcomed all present.
Executive Session
Isaiah Venning moved with a second from Gary Williams to move into executive session pursuant to South Carolina Ann. §30-4-70(a)(1) and (2) for the purposes of discussion of employment matters involving certain current university employees and for a discussion of proposed contractual arrangements. The vote was unanimous in favor of the motion. Kimberly Faust was invited to remain for portions of the executive session.
Kathy Bigham moved with a second from Randy Imler to end the executive session with no report. The vote was unanimous in favor of the motion.
Resolution Authorizing the Sale of Property Located on Cherry Road, Rock Hill, South Carolina and Known as the Coke Building, by Winthrop University to Lancaster Land, LLC
Chair of the Finance Committee, Dr. Randy Imler made a motion with a second from Robby Sisco to authorize the sale of property known as the Coke Building following the final approval of the South Carolina Real Property Services Office. The vote was unanimous in favor of the sale.
Winthrop owns but no longer uses a property on Cherry Road, in Rock Hill, SC more specifically described as tax parcel number 629-01-07-008. Winthrop applied to the State in September 2015 to have the property declared as surplus and thus begin the lengthy process of selling the property.
Lancaster Land, LLC has offered the asking price (set by the state of South Carolina) of $1,450,000 in its existing condition or “AS-IS”.
Consideration of appointment of candidate as Winthrop University Interim President
Gary Williams moved with a second from Tim Sease to appoint Dr. George W. Hynd as interim president of Winthrop from March 1, 2020 through June 30, 2022. In response to Chair McCall’s query of request for discussion, Dr. Jane LaRoche spoke against the hire. She cited social media reports of Dr. Dan Mahony’s success while president of Winthrop and urged the Board to extend Dr. Mahony’s contract as president. (Point of note: Dr. Mahony previously accepted a new position as president of Southern Illinois University system on December 3, 2019.)
The vote was eleven in favor of hiring Dr. Hynd with one vote against the hire. Three Trustees were absent.
Adjournment
Hearing no objections, Chair McCall adjourned the meeting at 12:35 p.m.
Minutes submitted by Kimberly A. Faust, Secretary to the Board
