June 9, 2006 - 1:00 pm
Baruch Room, Joynes Hall
Winthrop University
Rock Hill, South Carolina
Minutes of Meeting of the Board of Trustees
Members present: Karl Folkens (Chair), Kathy Bigham, Mary Jean Martin, Janet Smalley, Glenda Owens,
Polly Ford, Susan Smith-Rex, Donna Tinsley, Skip Tuttle, Sanita Savage, Larry Durham,
Anthony J. DiGiorgio (ex officio).
Members absent: Leland Cox
Representatives present: Dustin Evatt, Student Representative; Tim Daugherty, Faculty Representative
Others present: Faculty and staff of Winthrop University, Karen Bair
The Board of Trustees met on Thursday, June 8 and Friday, June 9, 2006 on the campus
of Winthrop University, Rock Hill, SC.
Call to Order
Chair Folkens called the meeting to order at 4 p.m. on June 8. Lee Cox made a motion
for the Board to move into Executive Session, Donna Tinsley seconded. The Board met
in executive session for the purpose of reviewing the recommendations of the Executive
Committee on the performance evaluation of President DiGiorgio. Polly Ford moved the
Board return to public session. The motion was seconded by Sue Smith Rex. The motion
passed unanimously by voice vote. At that time, the meeting was recessed with continuation
planned for the afternoon of June 9.
As there were no requests made for public comments, the meeting continued on June
9, 2006 at 1:05 p.m.
Approval of Board Minutes of April 7, 2006.
Mary Jean Martin moved, seconded by Glenda Owens, that the Board approve the minutes.
This motion was approved unanimously as presented by voice vote.
Report of the Executive Committee and Chair of the Board
Chair Folkens reported that the Executive Committee had met on campus on May 31, 2006.
Several matters were reviewed and discussed. The materials from the meeting have been
forwarded to each of members of the Board. Most of the issues that were discussed
will be or have already been a part of today's agendas.
The Executive Committee asked that the Board consider a number of resolutions for
meritorious service:
A. Resolution Honoring Dr. Mary Jean L. Martin for Meritorious Service to Winthrop
University
B. Resolution Honoring Dr. Harold P. Tuttle for Meritorious Service to Winthrop University
C. Resolution Honoring Dr. Mary (Polly) W. Ford for Meritorious Service to Winthrop
University
D. Resolution Honoring Mr. Willie Lyles, III for Meritorious Service to Winthrop University
All resolutions passed unanimously by voice vote.
The Executive Committee then asked that the Board consider the following resolution
pertaining to the performance of President DiGiorgio as set forth in the bylaws:
E. Resolution Concerning the Annual Evaluation of President DiGiorgio
F. Resolution Concerning the Contract of President DiGiorgio
Both resolutions passed unanimously by voice vote.
Finally, the Executive Committee reported having had an executive session for discussion
of legal, personnel, and contractual matters. No action was taken in the executive
session.
Report of the Academic Affairs Committee
Committee member Janet Smalley reported on the meeting of the academic affairs committee
in the absence of Chair, Leland Cox.
The first order of business was the Resolution for emeritus faculty status. The Resolution
passed unanimously granting Emeritus Faculty status to the following: Eugene M. Barban,
Robert H. Breakfield, Houston A. Craighead, John E. Dille, Melvin A. Goldstein, Jerry
L. Helton, W. Martin Hope, Betty Lou Land, Louis J. Rosso, Everett Stallings, Sarah
F. Stallings, C. Jack Tucker, Alfred D. Ward, Edna C. Ward, and Melford A. Wilson,
Jr.
A second resolution was presented: A Resolution to Offer a Bachelor of Science Degree
in Information Design. The motion was unanimously approved. Due to the large number
of programs up for CHE approval, the initial timeframe for presentation to ACAP is
delayed. The program will be up for ACAP approval at its fall 2006 meeting.
The first Robert and Norma Thompson Scholar has been chosen. Phil Moody, a photographer
in the department of art and design, whose project will features work with schools
in the I-95 Corridor of Shame.
The review of Graduate Studies is continuing. A committee is currently reviewing all
processes, phases and programs in Graduate Studies. We look forward to their report.
The committee next heard the academic unit updates from the Deans.
Dean Debra Boyd discussed the Undergraduate Scholarship Book of Abstracts for 2006
which presents student and faculty research work. She reported a high level of participation
and commended Dwight Dimaculangan, director of the undergraduate research initiative
in the College, for his work. She also reviewed the emphasis on deep learning as well
as the annual reviews of faculty.
Dean Weikle discussed the relationship with the Office of the Controller of the Currency
in Washington, DC which gives five southern district internships. For the second summer,
we were awarded three of the five, and all three from last year were hired in permanent
positions. Students in Free Enterprise (SIFE) continues to be active on campus with
400 students, 8 faculty members, 22 companies and 1000 client contacts involved this
past year. Winthrop's 6-member team won the division and four individual awards at
the regional competition in Charlotte in April before going on to win in their division
in Kansas City and to receive a 2nd place Financial Project award for their deployment
guide.
Dean Patricia Graham noted that the Outstanding Jr. Professor Award was given to Dr.
Barbara Blackburn this year. Dean Graham also reported on the new faculty mentoring
program. Created last year for the nine new faculty in the College of Education, this
mentoring program assigns each to work with a faculty member in either scholarship,
service or both. Dean Graham reported that all nine people have been retained for
the coming year.
The "Corridor of Shame" Area Grant Project is well under way with the distribution
of new laptop computers to be issued to teachers in the program and two courses beginning
this summer for which our faculty will travel to Bennetsville High School
Dean Mark Herring reported that a major achievement has been development of a new
web page with the help of student groups, faculty and outside groups. Expected to
be available in August, the new design will provide more information and allow users
to search more easily and successfully. PASCAL funding is has been passed by the Senate
and if vetoed by the Governor, it will most likely be over-ridden.
Interim Dean Don Rogers discussed the proposal, "Force of Nature," to feature hosting
Japanese artists. This project, headed by Tom Stanley, is in collaboration with UNCC,
Davidson and College of Charleston.
Dr. David Rankin, Interim Associate Vice President for Graduate Studies reported that
enrollment is slightly lower than last year but is overall stable.
Dean Brien Lewis reported on the Office of Nationally Competitive Awards, the Leadership
Studies program, an update on the hiring process of the new director for the International
Studies office, and the restructuring of the LEAP program. The Title III grant proposal
will be submitted in July.
The meeting concluded with Vice President Moore and Dr. Lee Cox giving thanks and
appreciation to Dr. Polly Ford, who is retiring from the Board. He praised her work
on this Committee and on the Winthrop Board of Trustees.
Report of the Finance Committee
Committee Chair Dr. Skip Tuttle began his report with a review the current budget
by affirming the 2005-06 fiscal year will finish in the black.
The update on summer projects from Walter Hardin shows an extensive list of jobs to
accomplish each summer. Especially impressive is embarking on yet another initiative
to use electricity in conjunction with oil and gas to manage the heating and cooling
of the campus. The facilities division continues to work toward saving and managing
resources and should be commended for all of the work they do in this regard.
Skip Tuttle then moved to accept the Resolution Regarding the 2006-2007 Operating
Budget and Student Fees and seconded by Sue Smith Rex. The resolution passed unanimously
by voice vote.
Report of the University Relations Committee
Chair Glenda Pittman Owens reported on the following items:
Intercollegiate Athletics
GPA:Overall, the athletic teams have had their highest GPAs ever. The overall GPA
is 3.03 and the spring GPA was 3.13, the first time both scores have topped 3.0.
Highlights of the year in review included four conference championships that resulted
in five NCAA regional appearances. We had our highest standing in the Sasser Cup competition
with our second place finish. In the previous five years we have been ranked as third.
Division of Student Life
Admissions Report for Fall 06: enrollment is expected to top 1,100 students this coming
fall. As of early June, over 5000 applications had been received with 1194 reservations
for orientation and 1142 admissions deposits.
Review of Student Conduct Code: a review of the code was presented. Bethany Marlowe
explained how the code functions to educate as well as protect students.
Active Learning Initiatives: a review of activities for the upcoming orientation and
welcome week were presented. The committee enjoyed learning about the activities planned
and could see the great deal of effort that went into the plans for the students.
Division of University Advancement
Assistant Director of University Relations, Ms. Monica Bennett and Director of Alumni
programs, Mr. Sylvester Owens were introduced to the group. Both bring a wealth of
information and experience to us and are a welcome addition to our campus.
Update on Alumni Reunion Celebration weekend: reunion classes included those with
years ending in "1" and "6." This year was especially touching when Betty Holcombe
surprised her college roommate, Ernestine Steedly with a $50,000 endowed scholarship
in her name.
Update on Ring Ceremony: 56 students (of the 150 who purchased a ring) and their families
participated in the event.
Report of the Nominating Committee
Chair of the Nominating Committee, Larry Durham reported on the slate of officers
for the 2006-07 term. Karl Folkens was nominated for a second term as Chair, Kathy
Bigham was nominated as Vice Chair, and Donna Tinsley was nominated as Secretary of
the Board. No other nominations from the floor were made. Sanita Savage moved to accept
the slate of officers as proposed, Mary Jean Martin seconded. The vote was unanimously
passed by voice vote.
Report from Faculty Representative
Dr. Tim Daugherty began his report by discussing the challenge made by VP Tom Moore
to approach student learning in new ways such as a new grading scale, a change in
the drop/add period, as well as additional majors. Faculty members are committed to
the long-term campaign of improving student learning.
Report from the Student Representative
Many new activities planned for the upcoming year. Plans include the transformation
of the structure of the Council of Student Leaders into divisions rather than committees.
They also will have a new position on the committee that will work with homecoming.
In August, new students will be recruited to fill the three seats reserved for incoming
students.
Report from the President
Dr. DiGiorgio began his report by thanking the Board for their confidence and support
in his annual evaluation and contract renewal.
The President continued his report by discussing the upcoming plans for the Executive
Officers' retreat to create the 2006-07 Vision of Distinction which will be based
on the direction given by the Board in this meeting.
Update on Campus Smoking Policy: As of August 1, Winthrop will become a smoke-free
campus with smoking restricted to designated areas. This has been a long, well planned
process and is well accepted by the campus community.
Sandlapper Magazine: Through the generosity of Fred Faircloth and family, Winthrop was showcased in the
most recent issue of the Sandlapper magazine.
In summary, the President thanked the Board, faculty, and staff for their work during
this past academic year and is looking forward to the beginning of the new year in
August.
Old Business
There was no old business.
New Business
There was no new business.
Adjournment
Janet Smalley moved, seconded by Polly Ford, that the Board adjourn. The motion was
passed unanimously by voice vote and the Board adjourned at 3:40 p.m.
Minutes submitted by Kimberly Faust, Secretary to the Board for 2005-06.
