Friday, April 17-18, 2015
Conference Room B, Macfeat House
Winthrop University, Rock Hill, SC
Members present: Karl Folkens, Glenn McCall, Jane LaRoche, Susan Smith-Rex, Janet Smalley, Tim Hopkins,
Don Long, Tim Sease, Randy Imler, Donna Glenn Holley, Scott Middleton, Ashlye Wilkerson,
Scott Talley, Julie Fowler, and President Debra Boyd (ex officio).
Members absent: Kathy Bigham (April 17 only) and Scott Talley
Representatives present: Ian Deas, Student Representative; John Bird, Faculty Representative
Representatives absent: None
Others present: Andrew Keil, WRHI; Stephen Turner, Gary Williams, Lee Gardner, Matt Dosch, Harold
"Skip" Tuttle, Clarence Coleman, Jeff Perez, Ellen Wilder-Byrd, Karen Jones
The Board of Trustees met on Friday, April 17, 2015 in Macfeat House on the campus
of Winthrop University, Rock Hill, SC.
Public Comment
There were no requests for public comment.
Call to Order
In the absence of Chair Kathy Bigham, Vice Chair Karl Folkens called the meeting to
order at 4:04 p.m.
Approval of Minutes
Scott Middleton moved to accept the minutes from the meetings of February 6, 2015,
February 23, 2015, February 26, 2015, March 2, 2015, March 8, 2015, March 10, 2015,
March 13, 2015, and March 28, 2015. Don Long seconded the motion. The vote was unanimous
in favor of the minutes as submitted.
Report of the Executive Committee and Board Chair
Mr. Folkens reported on the March 13, 2015 meeting of the Executive Committee of the
Board. He reminded the Trustees of the new date for the June Board meeting will be
June 19 as opposed to June 26. He also confirmed May 19 to be the date by which the
Nominating Committee of Janet Smalley (chair), Donna Glenn Holley, and Tim Sease would
report their proposed slate of candidates for the offices of chair and vice chair.
Elections for the chair and vice chair will be held at the June 19 meeting.
Report from the President
President Debra Boyd briefed the Board on Winthrop Think College, a fully inclusive
(non-residential) college experience for individuals with intellectual disabilities
who are unable to participate in a traditional college degree program. For several
years prior to 2013, South Carolina's College Transition Connection grant funds were
used to support a dual enrollment program for 18-22 year olds with intellectual disabilities
attending Rock Hill and Fort Mill Schools. Originally, the two school districts planned
to cover the cost of attendance at the end of the grant period. Financial constraints
are preventing the schools from funding the project. A fee-based program has been
developed for implementation this past year. Currently 10 students are enrolled.
Schedules for the enrolled students are created using person-centered planning and
consist of up to 12 credits per semester. The credits are a combination of traditional
Winthrop courses and Winthrop Think College courses. Students will receive a certificate
of completion when they earn at least 45 credits (12 regular Winthrop credits and
up to 36 Winthrop Think College credits) and complete an employment portfolio.
The proposed fee for AY 2015-16 is $15,000. The fee covers direct program costs and
Winthrop student fees. These students are eligible to qualify for federal financial
aid including Pell grants.
Due to time constraints, President Boyd requested the Specialist Degree in Education
Leadership program proposal be tabled until the June 19 meeting of the Board.
Presentation from Knowledge Park Leadership Group
Stephen Turner of Rock Hill Economic Development Corporation, Lee Gardner of Family
Trust Federal Credit Union, Matt Dosch of Comporium, Skip Tuttle of Tuttle Property
Management Company, and Gary Williams of Williams and Fudge presented an overview
of the Knowledge Park development initiative.
The development of the Knowledge Park is led by the Knowledge Park Leadership Group.
This is a collaboration of public and private leaders from education, business, and
government who bring real estate, development, and business expertise to this effort.
The area designated as Knowledge Park stretches from Comporium Communications' headquarters
and the Old Town East development project along White Street to Winthrop University.
Other key landmarks within the redevelopment area include The Cotton Factory, and
the former Bleachery property.
The over-arching goal of Knowledge Park is to bring together and enrich the Rock Hill
community with a new technology based jobs and dynamic urban lifestyle amenities.
When fully developed it will connect Downtown Rock Hill and Winthrop University, positively
impacting the local economy; increasing employment through the attraction and creation
of businesses; fostering the development of additional amenities such as restaurants,
meeting places, entertainment, and retail options that serve knowledge economy businesses
and their employees as well as residential populations; increasing local revenue bases
through new investment in buildings and equipment; and redeveloping vacant and obsolete
real estate assets into productive, functional uses.
Opportunities for Winthrop University that have been discussed as part of Knowledge
Park include a streetcar, active adult housing and a senior scholar institute, and
alumni center, and adult education/continuing education center, student housing, a
college town retail and entertainment district, an inn and conference center, a Greek
housing village, studio/work/retail spaces for faculty in the visual and performing
arts, and near-campus housing for faculty and staff.
As they stated, the business leaders who are driving the Knowledge Park initiative
are committee to the successful realization of Knowledge Park as demonstrated by the
investments they are making in the area. They believe the success of the Knowledge
Park initiative can aid Winthrop while at the same time realizing its success id fundamentally
linked to the active participation of Winthrop University.
The meeting was recessed at 4:45 p.m. for tour of Knowledge Park area.
Chair Kathy Bigham resumed the meeting on Saturday, April 18, 2015 at 8:45 a.m. in
the Evans Room of the DiGiorgio Campus Center.
Kimberly Faust, Secretary to the Board, led a presentation on options for digital
delivery of Board meeting materials, the possible development of an online Board portal
as a central access point of information of interest to the Board, and the plans for
development of a Trustee policy manual.
Jeff Perez, Senior Counsel to the President for Public Relations led a presentation
on the newly developed Winthrop University homepage and discussed near and long-term
plans for a website re-design and development of new, innovative marketing strategies.
Executive Session
Tim Sease motioned with a second from Jane LaRoche to move into executive session
for the purpose of discussing contractual and personnel discussions related to President-elect
Dr. Dan Mahony. The motion passed unanimously. President Debra Boyd and Kimberly Faust
were invited to remain for the Executive Session.
Don Long motioned with a second from Sue Rex to end executive session and return to
public session. The motion passed unanimously.
Hearing no objections, Chair Bigham adjourned the meeting at 8:00 p.m.
Minutes submitted by Kimberly Faust, Secretary to the Board of Trustees.
