Friday, April 28, 2023 | 12:45 p.m.
Evans Room | DiGiorgio Campus Center
Winthrop University, Rock Hill, South Carolina
Board Members Present: Glenn McCall, Kathy Bigham, John Brazell, Ed Driggers, Joel Hamilton, Dr. Randy Imler, Tim Sease, Robby Sisco, Janet Smalley, Sandra Stroman, Isaiah Venning, Dr. Ashlye Wilkerson, Gary Williams
Board Members Absent: Tim Hopkins, Dr. David McDonald
Others Present: Edward Serna, President of Winthrop University, Todd Hagins, General Counsel and Interim
Secretary to the Board, Other members of the campus community
Call to Order
Chairman Glenn McCall called to Board to order at 12:48 p.m. After an invocation by Janet Smalley, Chairman McCall recognized Joel Hamilton in his first meeting at Winthrop Trustee. Chairman McCall recognized the work by Ed Driggers, the consultants from BRG, and Special Assistant to the President for External Engagement Gary Simrill for their work on the strategic planning process. Chairman McCall further recognized Associate Vice President James Grigg and his staff for the number of improvements to the campus made by the Facilities team. Chairman McCall thanked Dean P.N. Saksena for inviting him to the College of Business Administrations “takeover” engagement with students.
Approval of Minutes
Chairman McCall took up the next agenda item prompting Robby Sisco to move to adopt the minutes as written. Such Motion to Adopt was seconded and approved with unanimous voice vote.
Board of Trustees Committee Reports
Dr. Randy Imler provided a report on the Committee on Academic Affairs, Student Affairs, and Enrollment. Dr. Imler made a Motion for the Board to Approve the following resolutions: 1) a resolution on extending Winthrop’s test optional policy; 2) a resolution to create a new concentration in the Bachelor of Arts in Music degree of commercial music; and 3) a resolution to rename the Richard W. Riley College of Education to Richard W. Riley College of Education, Sport, and Human Sciences. As each were recommended by a Board Committee, a second to the motion was not required by Board rules. The Motion was adopted by unanimous voice vote.
Ms. Smalley provided a report on behalf of the Committee on External Engagement and Athletics.
Mr. Driggers provided a report on behalf of the Committee on Strategic Planning and Facilities. Mr. Driggers noted the Committee and the Board is excited about the strategic planning process taking place with input from the Winthrop community. Mr. Driggers urged Winthrop students, facility, and staff to engage in the process.
Mr. Sease provided a report on behalf of the Committee on Finance. Mr. Sease moved the Board to adopt three resolutions: 1) a resolution on approving proposed contracts exceeding $250,000 recommended out of the Committee on Strategic Planning and Facilities; 2) a resolution on approving identified Winthrop projects to be funded by state allocations recommended out of the Committee on Strategic Planning and Facilities; and 3) a resolution related to student course fees. Per Board of Trustees rules a second was not needed as the resolutions were approved out of the Committee on Finance. Each resolution passed by unanimous voice vote.
Liaison Reports
Acting Faculty Conference Chair Dr. Alice McLaine provided a liaison report to the Committee. She informed the Board of Winthrop faculty member Dr. Kristi Schoepfer’s medical fight with cancer. Dr. McLaine noted faculty members were involved in the provost search and very involved in the strategic planning process.
Dr. Debbie Garrick provided a liaison report for the Staff Conference. Dr. Garrick noted staff is involved in strategic planning process and that staff is pleased with having seat at table with President Serna, who, she noted, involves staff in major searches.
Miguel Caldwell, Chair of the Council of Student Leaders, informed the Board that the Council election process recently concluded. Mr. Caldwell stated that students were also engaged in the strategic planning process.
Chairman Remarks
Chairman McCall announced his Motion to nominate the following to the Committee on Nominations: 1) Robby Sisco; 2) Isaiah Venning; and 3) Sandra Stroman. The Motion was seconded and approved by unanimous voice vote.
Gary Williams noted Winthrop has a tremendous future and he was excited to see Winthrop’s transformation and how everyone was working together. Chairman McCall informed the public attendees of the Board’s commitment to fund priorities identified by the strategic plan.
Executive Session
Mr. Sease moved for the Board to go into Executive Session pursuant to S.C. Code Ann. 30-4-70(a)(1) and (2). The motion was seconded and approved by unanimous voice vote. Mr. Sisco moved for the Board to leave Executive Session. Such motion was seconded and approved by unanimous voice vote. No votes were taken during Executive Session.
Adjournment
Dr. Wilkerson made a Motion to Adjourn, which was seconded and approved by unanimous vote. The Board stood adjourned at 2:13 p.m.