Friday, November 5, 2010
Gold Room, DiGiorgio Campus Center
Winthrop University, Rock Hill, SC
Members present: Kathy Bigham (Chair), Frances Davenport, Janet Smalley, Jane LaRoche, Susan Smith-Rex,
Karl Folkens, Donna Tinsley-Holley, Dalton Floyd, David Vipperman, Scott Talley, Bob
Thompson, Tim Sease, Thomas Pope, Anthony J. DiGiorgio (ex officio).
Members absent: Sam Foster
Representatives present: Sydney Evans, Student Representative; Marsha Bollinger, Faculty Representative
Representatives absent: None
Others present: Faculty and staff of Winthrop University
The Board of Trustees met on Friday, November 5, 2010 on the campus of Winthrop University,
Rock Hill, SC.
Call to Order
Chair Bigham called the meeting to order at 9 a.m. She welcomed the newest trustee,
Mr. Scott Talley, representing Congressional District # 4 and congratulated the Governor's
designee, Mr. Tommy Pope, on his recent election to the South Carolina House of Representatives.
Janet Smalley made a motion for the Board to move into Executive Session, Bob Thompson
seconded. The Board met in executive session for the purpose of the contractual and
personnel matter of reviewing the recommendations of the Executive Committee on the
performance objectives of President DiGiorgio. Dalton Floyd moved the Board return
to public session with no actions taken. The motion was seconded by Frances Davenport.
The motion passed unanimously by voice vote.
Approval of Board Minutes of June 11-12, 2010
Bob Thompson moved, with a second from Tommy Pope, to approve the minutes from the
meeting of June 10-11, 2010. The minutes were approved unanimously as presented.
Report of the Executive Committee and Chair of the Board
Chair Bigham reported that the Executive Committee had met on campus on October 20,
2010. Several matters were reviewed and discussed. The materials from the meeting
have been forwarded to each of members of the Board.
Chair Bigham then asked that the Board consider a number of resolutions.
The first resolution concerned the annual vision of distinction document. As this
resolution is from the Executive Committee, a second is not required. After a short
discussion noting the document continues to serve the university as a process and
a product of strategic planning and how the Vision was disseminated electronically
this year, the Resolution to Endorse the Vision of Distinction 2010-2011 was passed
unanimously.
The second resolution to Endorse the Agency Head Objectives 2010-11 was put forth.
Each year the Executive Committee sets forth a set of goals and objectives by which
to evaluate the President's performance. While the format and focus areas of these
goals are set by the South Carolina Agency Head Salary Commission, the specific parameters
and criteria of those goals are at the discretion of the Trustees. After a short discussion
the resolution was passed unanimously.
Report of the Committee on Academic Affairs
Committee Smalley reported on the progress of the Southern Association of Schools
and College's (SACS) reaffirmation process including the launch of the required Quality
Enhancement Plan (QEP). Our QEP, titled the Global Learning Initiative, has begun
under the direction of Dr. David Harwell, assistant dean of University College.
Through the SACS reaffirmation process Winthrop has endorsed a set of University-Level
Competencies (ULCs) identify learning outcomes that apply across all undergraduate
programs and that all Winthrop graduates attain. These capacities are essential preparation
for working productively and living meaningfully in the contemporary and emerging
world. The ULCs were approved by Faculty Conference in October 2010. The committee
was so impressed with the competencies; they were read aloud in their entirety.
Competency 1: Winthrop graduates think critically and solve problems.
Winthrop University graduates reason logically, evaluate and use evidence, and solve
problems. They seek out and assess relevant information from multiple viewpoints to
form well-reasoned conclusions. Winthrop graduates consider the full context and consequences
of their decisions and continually reexamine their own critical thinking process,
including the strengths and weaknesses of their arguments.
Competency 2: Winthrop graduates are personally and socially responsible.
Winthrop University graduates value integrity, perceive moral dimensions, and achieve
excellence. They take seriously the perspectives of others, practice ethical reasoning,
and reflect on experiences. Winthrop graduates have a sense of responsibility to the
broader community and contribute to the greater good.
Competency 3: Winthrop graduates understand the interconnected nature of the world
and the time in which they live.
Winthrop University graduates comprehend the historical, social, and global contexts
of their disciplines and their lives. They also recognize how their chosen area of
study is inextricably linked to other fields. Winthrop graduates collaborate with
members of diverse academic, professional, and cultural communities as informed and
engaged citizens.
Competency 4: Winthrop graduates communicate effectively.
Winthrop University graduates communicate in a manner appropriate to the subject,
occasion, and audience. They create texts — including but not limited to written,
oral, and visual presentations — that convey content effectively. Mindful of their
voice and the impact of their communication, Winthrop graduates successfully express
and exchange ideas.
Chair Smalley concluded her report by thanking the faculty for all the work they do
to ensure our students receive a complete and high quality education while at Winthrop.
Report of the Committee on Finance
Chair Folkens reminded the Board that the Committee on Finance also functions as the
Audit Committee and to that end, he as chair of the Committee on Finance/Audit, meets
with the external auditor. The external auditor found no weaknesses in our financial
accounting. In fact, we are such a low risk that we pay a lower audit fee. Chair Folkens
reported that during his conversations with the external auditor, Vice President of
Finance, Mr. JP McKee and Associate Vice President of Finance, Ms. Amanda Maghsoud,
and their staff were highly praised for sound accounting practices.
As action items, Chair Folkens brought forward two resolutions from his committee.
As they are from the Committee on Finance, no seconds were needed.
a. The first resolution is to issue Higher Education Revenue Bonds not to exceed $6
Million for Residence Hall Facility Renovations. The monies will be used primarily
to renovate Phelps Residence Hall, a 400 bed facility. The Hall will be off-line for
approximately 18 months during renovations. The monies will come from an existing
revenue stream therefore no new costs will be accrued. The resolution passed unanimously.
b. The second resolution is for Authorizing the Purchase of Property Located at 349
Columbia Avenue and the sale of 8.27 Acres of Land Adjacent to Cherry Road. Again,
this action does not require additional revenues and will serve the university well.
The resolution passed unanimously.
Report of the Committee on Student Life
Chair Dalton Floyd began his report by commenting on the wide array of activities
occurring within the areas of student life including the recently received Violence
Against Women grant funding; the launch of the Academic Success Center; the renovations
of the golf course and Terry softball facility; the newly instituted concussion and
Sickle Cell Anemia testing in the Athletic Department; and the update from the recently
held Family Weekend with over 640 family members in attendance.
As an action item, Chair Floyd brought forward a resolution from his committee, needing
no second.
a. The Resolution to Add Women's Lacrosse as an Intercollegiate Sport was read in
its entirety. Women's lacrosse is one of the fastest growing sports in popularity
and is a topic often raised by prospective students. Data support an increase of approximately
$400,000 in revenues from students who will choose to attend Winthrop in order to
play lacrosse. The resolution passed unanimously.
Report on the Committee on Institutional Advancement and Development
Chair Thompson characterized the work in both areas as a gradual development of the
collaborative approach. Staff are involved in workgroups and taskforces. They are
working to sharpen and refine the messages we present to the world.
The offices of Alumni Relations and Development are increasing the ways in which they
connect with alumni through the use of social networks. Overall, the mantra is to
do more with less funding. The committee was particularly impressed with this outlook.
Although enrollment is predicted to remain flat, through the good work of the Office
of Academic Affairs, the transfer process has received a stronger focus and the decision
making process is being expedited thus paving the way for more transfers to choose
Winthrop.
Report of the Chair of Faculty Conference
Dr. Marsha Bollinger began her report by commenting on the two meetings of the Faculty
Conference in the time since the previous Board meeting in June. At those meetings
the faculty passed the University Level Competencies (ULC) as reported on earlier
by Ms. Smalley in her report of the Committee on Academic Affairs. The faculty were
charged with creating clear, assessable, and attainable competencies. The final product
represents months of focused work by the faculty and will become the basis upon which
we move forward with our academic programs.
The faculty passed a new governance structure beginning this year. The new structure
includes two new committees, Faculty Committee on University Life (FCUL) and Faculty
Committee on University Priorities (FCUP). The chair of Faculty Conference is an ex-officio
member of the FCUP. The FCUP has already met twice with the President and Executive
Officers for a briefing on the Readiness Winthrop initiative and had opportunities
to ask questions and receive clarification. The committee is appreciative of the transparent
way in which Readiness Winthrop initiative is progressing. Dr. Bollinger commented
that this will lead to a more trusting relationship between the faculty and the administration.
Report of the Chair of the Council of Student Leaders
Chair Sydney Evans reported on her activities since the previous meeting in June.
Over the summer and early Fall, she attended two student government conferences and
two major events. She told the Board of the student body's excitement upon the opening
of the DiGiorgio Campus Center (DIGS). She also reported on the activities of the
Council of Student Leaders as they review their bylaws, reassess the way in which
they choose the chair, and rewriting the Dedication to Excellence to include reference
to the Global Learning Initiative and to reflect the university's commitment to sustainability
and environmental responsibility. Reports of those activities are expected in the
Spring 2011 semester.
Report of the President
President DiGiorgio began by introducing Dr. David Wohl, the new dean of the College
of Visual and Performing Arts and Ms. Laura Lynn Stubbs, the new administrative assistant
in the Office of the President.
He continued with his report by summarizing the work to date of the Readiness Winthrop
initiative. The initiative continues to move ahead with many groups working on how
we can better position Winthrop for the ˜new normal' that surrounds us. This includes
reviewing, re-evaluating, reshaping, and reorganizing every aspect of our work together.
One step in that process is the decision to support a women's lacrosse team. Additional
work includes creating 5 year Master in Teaching (MAT) programs and 5 year Master
in Business Administration (MBA) programs. Work is also moving forward to develop
a School of Interdisciplinary and Trans-Area Studies to personalize majors through
individualize majors, sustainability minor and major programs, as well as other programs
of an interdisciplinary nature. I will present a full report on this work to the Board
at its February retreat.
As we look at the budget situation we must factor into account our lowered enrollment
numbers due to both the economy and the fact that Winthrop graduated its largest class
ever last Spring. That loss of tuition revenue has been factored into our spending
plan this year, and we will draw upon our vacancy savings and other efficiencies to
mitigate that loss.
President DiGiorgio concluded his report by again congratulating Tommy Pope on his
recent election to the House of Representatives and thanking him for his time spent
on the Board.
Old Business
None
New Business
None
Adjournment
Hearing no objections, Chair Bigham adjourned the meeting at 2:09 p.m.
.
Minutes submitted by Kimberly Faust, Secretary to the Board
