COLLEGE OF CHARLESTON
BOARD OF TRUSTEES
President’s Board Room
College of Charleston
Charleston, South Carolina
April 23, 2004
8:30 a.m.
Presiding:
Robert S. Small, Jr., Chairman
Members of the Board Present: Mr. Donald H. Belk, Mr. J. Philip Bell, Mrs. Charlotte L. Berry, Dr. L. Cherry Daniel, Mr. James F. Hightower, Mrs. Marie Land, Mr. Robert W. Marlowe, Mr. F. C. McMaster, Mr. Lawrence R. Miller, Mr. Y. W. Scarborough, III, Mr. Joel H. Smith, Dr. Sam Stafford III, and Mr. Joseph F. Thompson, Jr. Mr. William D. Johnson participated in the meeting by conference call.
Trustee Emeriti Present: Dr. Gordan B. Stine
Trustees Absent: Mrs. Annaliza O. Moorhead
(In accordance with requirements of the S. C. Freedom of Information Act, news media was notified of the time, location, and agenda for this meeting).
The regular meeting of the College of Charleston Board of Trustees was called to order at 8:40 a.m. by Chairman Small.
Chairman Small called for approval of the minutes. It was moved (Berry) and seconded (Hightower) that the minutes of the January 9, 2004, Board of Trustees meeting be approved as amended. All approved.
President Higdon gave a brief update on a variety of facilities, programs and faculty/staff/student issues, including internal budget cuts, retention, new Dean of the School of Business and Economics, and a new Senior Vice President for Student Affairs.
At this point, Chairman Small thanked Dr. Jeri Cabot for her service as Acting Senior Vice President for Student Affairs, and President Higdon thanked Mrs. Virginia Friedman for leading the search to fill the position of Senior Vice President for Student Affairs and thanked Dr. Norine Noonan for leading the search to fill the position of Dean of the School of Business
President Higdon’s report continued, including:
(1) The College of Charleston was ranked #27 on Intel’s list of the top 100 wireless schools in the nation. The Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) was ranked #26.
(2) The Dedication Ceremony for the new library will be held during the January 2005 Board of Trustees meeting. During this time, Nathan Addlestone also will be awarded the Founder’s Medal Award posthumously at the Founder’s Medal Ceremony. Henry Brown and Marlene Addlestone will be awarded Founder’s Medals as well during the Dedication Ceremony.
(3) Over 100 students at the College have received outside awards. One student was a finalist for the Irene Ryan Acting Award, two students received the Southeastern Research Competition in Psychology, another student received the National Phi Beta Kappa Fellowship, and one was a finalist for Best Director Competition. We are very pleased with our students’ many talents.
(4) President Higdon thanked Mr. Don Belk for his remarks given at the Opening Ceremony of the Multicultural Center.
(5) The quality of applications is very good despite the decrease in applications. The final SAT scores won’t be known until Fall 2004. President Higdon and six of the deans went to Greenville to speak to a group of local high school students and their parents in an attempt to recruit the area’s most accomplished high school students to the College. Over 400 attended the meeting.
(6) President Higdon’s editorial, “A Message to College Students about Jobs,” was published in The Tampa Tribune on April 5, 2004.
(7) The 2004 Senior Week was very successful. More students than ever were involved in the activities. The week began with a kick-off concert by the Charleston Symphony Orchestra at the Sottile Theatre and ended with a dinner/dance on the Cistern. This is the third year we have hosted Senior Week, and it is the highest level ever of senior participation in the Senior Gift. The senior class will provide the gates at the new library with pledges of $22,000 (89% participation).
(8) The Guy Beatty Center will open in January 2005.
(9) The School of the Arts Groundbreaking Ceremony will be held on Thursday, June 3, 2004.
(10) The School of Education Groundbreaking Ceremony will be held in the fall of 2004.
(11) We are working with focus groups to put the Core Values List together. Three open forums were held to solicit feedback from the faculty, staff and students. A number of suggestions will be incorporated into the final draft prepared by the focus group. Discussions will take place in the fall at the department level. This draft will be presented to the Board at its July meeting.
(12) Our legislative efforts include (a) funding for the Lowcountry Graduate Center, (b) budget cuts are lower than we initially thought, and (c) salary money is available in both the House and Senate. At the federal level, we are working with Senator Hollings in terms of the Science Center and the Grice Marine Biological Laboratory.
(13) Dr. Norine Noonan will present an update of the Life Sciences Initiative to the Board at its July meeting. Mrs. Monica Scott also will provide the Board with an update on the Dixie Project at the July meeting.
(14) The Development Office has stepped up its fund raising efforts by expanding its calling program, especially to major companies. We feel good about the new relationships we are developing with corporations and individuals.
(15) The summer projects list is extensive and includes: (a) renovation to three residence halls (four if you count Warren Place furniture), (b) office refurbishments and moves, (c) two fraternity houses and landscaping, (d) parking lot behind fraternity house, (e) renovation of the Stern Center and the Lightsey Student Services Center, (f) Craig loading dock, (g) Cougar Mall and beautification work, (h) Bell Tower, (i) batting cages, and (j) baseball drainage.
Chairman Small noted that this is an extensive program. He also noted that President Higdon’s Op. Ed. Article was very good.
Trustees Larry Miller (chair), Bill Scarborough and Joe Thompson attended the Finance Committee meeting. Others in attendance were President Higdon, Gary McCombs, Sam Jones, Elise Jorgens, Bob Mignone, Peter McCandless, Daniel Dukes, and Eric Forsberg.
Mr. Sam Jones reviewed the budget adjustments on the financial statement for the quarter ending March 31, 2004. These adjustments can be found behind Tab III (fold out sheet) of the Board Booklet.
Mr. Miller made specific reference to the following:
Item #1, Adjunct Funding – Transfer from the Provost’s division to the Schools to fund the adjunct expenses for Spring 2004.
Item #3, Staff Turnover/Roster Adjustments/Vacancy Sweeps – This is the sweep and/or return of salary funding to the central account as the result of the new policy that centralizes vacant salary dollars rather than leaving them at the departmental level.
Item #5, SETA Funding – This is the transfer from the 4th Century Initiative reserve account to fund the year-to-date expenses for the Student Employment Tuition Assistance Program.
Item #20, Wentworth Street Properties Site Development – This is a transfer to capital to fund the drainage, general appearance, landscaping, etc. of the lot behind the Wentworth Street houses. Additional funding for the project came from Auxiliary Enterprises.
Item #24, Enrollment Shift – This is to record the revision to the revenue and expense budget necessary due to the shift in enrollment as detailed in the memo from the President to the Board in December. This is the adjustment for fall and the spring projection. There will be a final spring adjustment based on official enrollments.
Item #42, Faculty Recruitment – Transfer from the Provost’s division to the Schools to fund the expenses associated with the recruitment and new and replacement faculty.
Item #44, Move Account – This is to simply recognize the change in executive divisions for the reporting of the Student Internship Program.
The Finance Committee moves that the budget adjustments to the March 31, 2004 Financial Statements be approved as presented. All in favor.
Mr. Miller addressed the budget reduction memo, dated April 19, 2004, received by the Board. There was a question about how the College is dealing with the State budget cuts. The Finance Committee asked that the President consider if there are additional expenses that can be cut from the budget. President Higdon addressed the question and noted that the budget cuts had been taken into consideration when setting the current budget. President Higdon noted that the Board should be confident that the institution is operating at the lowest expense level possible. Mr. Miller expressed support for the efforts that the President and the staff of the College have made to keep costs down.
Mr. McCombs discussed with the committee the timeline and process necessary to issue additional bonds. The projects on the list for bond funding in the proposed issue include:
School of the Arts ($13.75 million)
School of Business ($2.5 million)
School of Education ($5.5 million)
Stern Student Center ($5 million)
Residence Life Facilities ($5 million)
Additionally, the Cost of Issuance and the possibility of cash funding a required reserve brings the total to $35 million.
The Finance Committee made three motions related to this bond issue:
(1) The Finance Committee moves that the Initial Authorizing Resolution, “Authorizing the Senior Vice President, Business Affairs of the College of Charleston to make arrangements necessary for the offering and sale of not exceeding $35,000,000 aggregate amount of Higher Education Facilities Revenue Bonds, Series 2004A, and Academic and Administrative Facilities Revenue Bonds, Series 2004B, of the College of Charleston” be approved. A copy of the resolution can be found behind Tab III of the Board Booklet. All in favor.
(2) The Finance Committee moves for the approval of the Series 2004A Bond Resolution in substantially the form presented with such further changes as the Chairman shall approve. A copy of the resolution can be found behind Tab III of the Board Booklet. All in favor.
(3) The Finance Committee moves for the approval of the Series 2004B Bond Resolution in substantially the form presented with such further changes as the Chairman shall approve. A copy of the resolution can be found behind Tab III of the Board Booklet. All in favor.
Mr. Miller suggested that the Business Affairs staff schedule a Budget Workshop in early June for the Finance Committee as was held last year. The Finance Committee feels that this process helps them understand the action necessary when setting tuition and fees and approving the budget for the next fiscal year.
Student Affairs Committee:
Trustees Marie Land (chair), Don Belk, and Sam Stafford were joined by Willette Burnham, Associate VP for Student Affairs; Jeri Cabot; Bruce Dyjack, Associate Director of Student Life; Sumita Furlong, Director of Intercultural Affairs; Ijuana Gadsden, Administrative Assistant, Student Affairs; Chris Henderson, Coordinator of Stern Center Operations; Lydia Keadle, Internship Coordinator, Career Services; and Chris Schlosser. Students attending the meeting were Lance Hagaman, incoming SGA President; Tiffany Wells, incoming SGA Secretary; and David Ramjohn, outgoing Honor Board chairman.
Mrs. Land gave the following committee report:
Dr. Cabot recognized Ijuana Gadsden for her outstanding work in Student Affairs as exemplified in an article published in The Post and Courier, “Local Hero,” in March 2004. This recognition was the result of her great work spirit.
Mr. David Ramjohn was honored for his years of service as Chair of the Honor Board from 2002-04. David is an impressive young man from Trinidad. He is one of the recipients of the 2003-04 Bishop Robert Smith Award. The other recipient is Ebony Hilton, who was unable to attend the committee meeting. David described the philosophy of the Honor Board and his research on the history of the honor system and the symbols of the College. Currently, the Honor Board is attempting to put together a creed for the College. David distributed two brochures that address different aspects of the Student Handbook – Frequently Asked Questions about the Honor system and the Classroom Code of Conduct.
Mr. Nicholas Glover was unable to attend the committee meeting, but he was recognized by the committee for his hard work and inspiration as president of the Student Government Association (SGA) this year. The committee appreciates his dedication and service to the College of Charleston.
The incoming SGA officers for 2004-05 were introduced:
Lance Hagaman, President
Jillian Irizarry, Vice President (not present at the committee meeting)
Sarah Donnellan, Treasurer (not present at the committee meeting)
Tiffany Wells, Secretary
Dr. Sumita Furlong was introduced to the committee as the new Director of Intercultural Programs. Dr. Furlong arrived in February 2004 from the University of Wisconsin, Madison.
Ms. Keadle gave the committee an extensive presentation about the internship initiative and new opportunities as part of the Fourth Century Initiative Project. There are five new internship coordinators in three schools who go out in the community and talk to businesses. They are working to achieve two goals: (1) Increase the number of internship opportunities, and (2) Increase student participation.
Mr. Dyjack and Mr. Lagaman presented a statewide comparison of Student Activity Fees.
Mr. Henderson presented the committee with the two phases of the Stern Center renovation:
Phase 1 – May 17-August 17 – Create a fully functional third floor.
Phase 2 – September to Spring 2005 – Second and fourth floors. The central goal is to bring
the “fun” spaces closer to the ground floor and create several comfortable spaces for students to hang out.
The Stern Center staff will move to the second floor of the Bell South building.
The committee thanked Dr. Cabot for serving as Acting Senior Vice President for Student Affairs for two years. Mrs. Land recognized Jeri at the Board meeting and stated that “she has been wonderful.”
Joint Meeting of the Institutional Advancement Committee and the Foundation Fund Raising and Advancement Committee:
Trustee Charlotte Berry (chair), along with Foundation Board members David Hay, Chairman of the Foundation Fund Raising Committee; Bill Medich; John Rivers; and Renee Romberger; attended the meeting. They were joined by staff members Tracey Bible, Manager, Financial Services; Katie Brown, Special Events Coordinator; Sue Sommer-Kresse, Cathy Mahon, Director of Major Gifts; and Amy McCandless.
Mrs. Berry gave the following committee report:
Dr. Sommer-Kresse gave the committee an update on staffing. To get ready for the Capital Campaign, she reported that Institutional Advancement must hire two major gifts officers. A consultant has been hired to assist with the campaign.
Mrs. Berry reported that David Hay gave the committee a great Quarterly Fund Raising Report. Figures look great this quarter compared to 2003. Everything is up this quarter. Eight-nine percent of the senior class contributed to the senior class gift.
The Annual Fund has increased this year over last year’s total -- $258,810 this year compared to $229,998 in 2003. Building Funds are up -- $825,534 this year compared to $23,131 in 2003. Major gifts this quarter show a very promising future. There also was an increase in scholarships, endowments, and program support over last year -- $219,578 compared to $149,551 in 2003. Year-to-date totals for fund raising this year is $1,303,922 compared to $440,677 in 2003.
Mrs. Berry noted that if students get involved in fund raising while attending the College, they will most likely continue to give.
Ms. Bible gave the committee a report on the Financial Reporting System. The Financial Edge software has been updated to produce more efficient reports. This will enable us to be able to create reports about donor history and fund balances, etc. Mrs. Berry noted that this will integrate all systems when we begin the Capital Campaign.
A Technology Strategy Committee has been created to improve all technology and communication processes for staff, students and donors through all departments of the College.
The Alumni Relations Office has hired two new staff persons to work closely with area clubs, reunions, etc. to help engage alumni and work to implement the Alumni Strategic Plan throughout events and communications.
Mrs. Berry asked the Board to become much more aware of what they can do as ambassadors. The Board must be involved just as the Foundation is involved. She thanked the staff for the great work they are doing.
Facilities Committee:
Trustees Creighton McMaster (chair), Jimmy Hightower, Dwight Johnson, and Bobby Marlowe attended the committee meeting. Also attending were Monica Scott and Susan Morrison, along with Fred Daniels and the Physical Plant personnel – Jim Shumate, Dennis Foster and Ken Foreback. President Higdon joined the meeting.
Mr. Marlowe, as chairman of the Intramural Fields Committee, provided the committee with a report on the intramural fields. He noted that a summary of all facility projects can be found behind Tab IV of the Board Booklet. The committee discussed the issue of drainage for the baseball and soccer fields. An effort is underway to solicit the Athletics Department staff for baseball field improvement ideas. We have a beautiful field, and we have bleachers that are substandard.
James Island County Parks and Recreation entered into negotiations with the College for a five-year agreement for joint use of a parcel of the current James Island County Park fields. We anticipate the contract can be extended after the five-year agreement. Expenses will be shared. Mr. Marlowe reported that we’ll play on the new intramural fields in the next academic year.
Dr. Cherry Daniel asked if the College will provide transportation to the intramural fields. Mr. Marlowe responded that he doesn’t think transportation will be an issue since it is only 4.9 miles from the College. Mr. Small asked for a schematic layout of the fields for the next meeting. Mr. Marlowe noted that the field is 19.2 acres. Mr. Small asked about the budget, and Mr. Marlowe responded that they are working on it now, and that they are going to scale back from the $2 million budgeted for the project.
Pi Kappa Phi will fully fund a $250,000 gift to the College. Mr. Hightower, a member of the fraternity, will construct the 42-foot Bell Tower, which will be part of the landscape of the new library. It will look straight across Coming Street between 65 and 69 Coming Streets and will be dedicated on Saturday, August 14, 2004.
Academic Affairs Committee:
Trustees Cherry Daniel (chair), Don Belk, Creighton McMaster, and Sam Stafford attended the meeting, along with Drs. Elise Jorgens, Susan Morrison and Amy McCandless from Academic Affairs. Others in attendance include Drs. John Crotts, Director, Hospitality and Tourism Program; Doug Friedman, professor of Political Science, Hugh Haynsworth, Dean of the Graduate School; and Dr. Bob Mignone, Speaker of the Faculty; and Messrs. Don Burkard, Associate Vice President for Admissions and Enrollment Planning; and Don Griggs, Director of Financial Aid.
Dr. Daniel reported that the committee had a very productive meeting and that Dr. Amy McCandless discussed the ongoing review by the Office of International Education and Programs (OIEP) of the evaluations for semester and summer study abroad programs. Dr. McCandless gave the committee a survey for review. The OIEP currently uses mailed questionnaires, but the plan is to offer on-line evaluation forms.
Dr. Daniel asked Dr. Jorgens to share information about the reorganization of the Enrollment Management department. Dr. Jorgens reported that when she came to the College as Provost less than a year ago, there was an Enrollment Management Department, and she decided to reorganize the area. There will no longer be a Vice President for Enrollment Management. Instead, Dr. Bill Lindstrom, who is on sabbatical this semester, is now Associate Dean of the School of Sciences and Mathematics. Those who reported to Dr. Lindstrom now report to Dr. Jorgens – Registrar, Financial Aid, Admissions and Undergraduate Studies. Mr. Don Burkard has been named Associate Vice President for Admissions and Enrollment Planning. He has a lot of expertise and will continue to focus on enrollment and admissions. A national search is underway for an Associate Vice President for Retention. In addition, a Director of First Year Experience Programs will be chosen from the faculty and will report to the Associate Vice President for Retention. Dr. Jorgens is looking forward to a tightened structure and working together as a team.
Mr. Burkard gave the committee an admissions report. He discussed enrollment figures for 2003-04 and projections for Fall 2004. Both Fall 2003 and Spring 2004 FTEs are slightly down from last year, 1.5% and 1.7% respectively. Projected undergraduate enrollments for Fall 2004 are down to 9341 from 9430 in Fall 2003. Projected new freshmen are up from 2003 (1819 in Fall 2004 compared to 1673 in Fall 2003). For the first time in the history of the College, there is a waiting list for out-of-state students.
Dr. Jorgens discussed with the committee the visits of consultants from Noel-Levitz in the fall to work with the Financial Aid Office and in the spring to discuss retention policies. Mr. Griggs of the Financial Aid Office announced that the increase in student SAT scores and GPAs has meant a growing number of Palmetto Scholars at the College.
Dr. Jorgens and Mr. Griggs voiced concern over a new law requiring each higher education institution to calculate a student’s GPA differently to confirm to new eligibility rules for the LIFE Scholarship.
Dr. Jorgens noted that the College has issued an RFP for a consultant to develop a model for retention services, and Noel-Levitz has expressed an interest in the job.
The Academic Affairs Committee requested that the Board of Trustees approve three new degree programs and one new graduate certificate:
The Academic Affairs Committee moves that the new Master of Science in Historic Preservation joint degree program with Clemson University be approved.
The Academic Affairs Committee moves that the new Bachelor of Arts degree in Latin American and Caribbean Studies be approved.
The Academic Affairs Committee moves that the new Bachelor of Science degree in Hospitality and Tourism Management be approved.
The Academic Affairs Committee moves that the new Graduate Certificate in Organizational and Corporate Communication be approved. All in favor.
Dr. Haynsworth reviewed with the committee the projected graduate enrollments for degree, non-degree, and professional development students for Fall 2004; while headcounts and FTEs for degree and non-degree students will be up over Fall 2003, professional development numbers are predicted to be lower.
Dr. Jorgens announced that Dr. Charles Johnson, Professor of English at the University of Washington, will be this year’s Convocation speaker. His book, Middle Passage, about slaveship in the middle of the 19th Century, will be distributed to all new students.
Mr. Belk suggested that the committee look at Clemson’s Academic Redemption Policy to see if a similar policy might help with retention at the College. This discussion was deferred to the next Board meeting.
Athletics Committee:
Trustees Jimmy Hightower, Dwight Johnson, and Bobby Marlowe attended the committee meeting, along with Jerry Baker and Simon Whitaker, Assistant Sports Information Director.
Because of Mr. Philip Bell’s absence from the committee meeting, Mr. Bobby Marlowe presented the committee’s report.
Mr. Marlowe announced that College of Charleston track and field athlete, Kim Palmquist, a sophomore from Connecticut, was awarded the Serena Williams Scholarship for the 2004-05 academic year.
Mr. Baker gave the committee a review of the Southern Conference Players of the Week, along with team standings and updates.
The College is in need of new track and field facilities. Since the new intramural fields will not provide a solution to the problem, the athletic director remains in search of an appropriate facility.
The overall GPA for athletic teams is 3.0 or better for 9 of 20 teams. Sixty percent of all athletes achieved honors level.
Governmental Affairs Committee:
Trustees Joe Thompson (chair), Charlotte Berry, Larry Miller, and Bill Scarborough attended the committee meeting, along with Daniel Dukes.
Mr. Thompson gave the following committee report:
The Senate Finance Committee completed work on their version of the FY 04-05 Appropriations Bill and Lottery Spending Bill on Wednesday, April 21, 2004. Listed below is the Senate version of the Bill compared to the House version:
(1)Performance Funding:
House Version: The 1% across-the-board cut made this fiscal year by the Budget and Control Board was annualized in the FY 04-05 Appropriations Bill for all higher education institutions. In addition to this 1% cut, higher education institutions had their travel budgets and telephone services budgets reduced by 15%. The total cut for the College of Charleston is $618,185 (2.3%) below the beginning FY 03-04 appropriated amount. The College of Charleston’s appropriated amount for FY 04-05 is $25,780,249, which includes special appropriations for the Governor’s School ($288,017) and the Avery Research Center ($300,000).
Senate Finance Version: Increased the cuts in travel and telephone services budgets for all higher education institutions from 15% to 20%. This is an additional cut for the College of Charleston of approximately $112,000. The Senate Finance cut is $730,185 (2.7%) below the beginning FY 03-04 appropriated amount. All special projects were funded.
(2)Special Appropriations.:
House Version: The Lowcountry Graduate Center was funded at $465,000. The Hospitality, Tourism & Management program was funded jointly with Trident Tech, with $395,000 appropriated for the College of Charleston. The Accelerated Schools Program was funded at $125,000.
Senate Finance Version: Same as House.
(3)Lottery Funds:
House Version: The Technology Infrastructure Fund was increased by $2 million to a total of $14 million. The College of Charleston’s portion of these funds will be approximately $1.2 million. The proviso to allocate these funds among eligible institutions passed whereby 35% is divided into equal shares and 65% divided by FTE enrollment. Additional funds were provided for Life Scholarships and Palmetto Fellows Scholarships. Needs-Based Scholarships were increased by over $10 million.
Senate Finance Version: Same as House with the exception that the Senate Finance Committee added $2 million for the electronic library for higher education.
(4)FTE Lines:
House Version: The Appropriations Bill includes ten new FTE lines for the College of Charleston.
Senate Finance Version: Added five additional FTE lines.
(5)Tuition and Fees Proviso:
House Version: A proviso passed the House limiting tuition and fee increases to the HEPI percentage plus $250 per semester. There is no restriction on institutions with tuition below the state average.
Senate Finance Version: Deleted this proviso.
(6)Pay Raises:
House Version: Funds were appropriated for a 2% pay raise for state employees. Effective July 1, 2004, classified employees will receive a 2% across-the-board raise and unclassified employees will receive an average 2% raise.
Senate Finance Version: Increased pay raise to 3%.
(7)Other Items:
House Version:
The following programs were funded at the below listed amounts.
The College of Charleston participates in these programs and will receive a
portion of each fund.
Access and Equity - $711,613; EPSCOR - $1,942,536; Academic Endowment Initiative - $444,828; and SCAMP - $320,327.
Senate Finance Version: Same as House.
(8)Health Insurance Costs:
House Version: Increased $25 million over FY 03-04 totals.
Senate Finance Version: Increased $12.5 million over FY 03-04 totals.
Mr. Thompson presented a summary of the Life Sciences Act which passed the General Assembly:
Sections 1.-4. Defines life sciences facilities and sets the parameters for these type private investments to receive state assistance for infrastructure improvements.
Sections 5.-7. Defines Venture Capital Investment and sets the parameters for the State Commerce Department to award or invest state funds in various enterprises.
Section 8.
59-101-710. Allows colleges and universities to spend federal and other non-state appropriated sources of revenue to provide lump sum bonuses for employees.
59-101-720. Increases the educational fee waiver limit at colleges and universities from 2% to 4%.
59-101-730. Allows colleges and universities to establish research grant positions funded by federal grants and other funds to be excluded from the FTE positions number.
59-101-740. Allows colleges and universities to fund health insurance for graduate assistants.
59-101-750. Gives colleges and universities the power of eminent domain.
59-101-760. Allows colleges and universities to negotiate their annual audit with CPA firms.
Section 9. Establishes the Research University Infrastructure Act. Allows the issuance of general obligation bonds of the state for infrastructure projects related to economic development and research at the state’s three research universities. Increases the state’s limitation on general obligation debt from 5½ to 6 percent.
Section 11-51-70. Projects submitted by the research universities must be approved by the Research Centers of Excellence Review Board, the Joint Bond Review Committee, and the Budget and Control Board. Fifty percent of the funds for each project must be provided by the research universities from private, federal, municipal or county sources. Each project must be reviewed and certified pursuant to regulations regarding the economic benefit to the state.
Section 11-51-125. Authorizes that when bonds are issued for research facilities, twelve percent of the total amount authorized will be appropriated to the non-research institutions for deferred maintenance projects. Under the anticipated first issuance of $250 million, the non-research universities will receive $30 million. This $30 million has no match requirement and can be used on any deferred maintenance projects. The College of Charleston’s share of this first $30 million is approximately $2.9 million.
Section 10. Increases the dollar amount for permanent improvement projects submitted by the colleges and universities to the Joint Bond Review Committee and the Budget and Control Board from $100,000 to $500,000.
Section 12. Establishes a four-year culinary arts program at Trident Technical College.
Section 13. Authorizes four-year degrees at USC-Sumter.
Section 14. States that no campus of the University of South Carolina shall be closed without General Assembly authorization.
Section 15. Requires colleges and universities to annually report the number of out-of-state undergraduate students in attendance. Also requires each college and university to adopt an out-of-state undergraduate student policy and a description of how that policy was enacted at each university.
Section 16. Increases the eligibility of students for the LIFE Scholarship.
Section 18. For purposes of calculation for LIFE Scholarships, this section requires that institutions must average the GPA attained by a student from all public or independent institutions.
Section 19. Establishes a study committee to determine the feasibility and need for a law school at SC State University.
Strategic Planning Committee:
Trustee Marie Land attended the meeting, along with Andy Abrams and Chris Schlosser.
In Chairman Joel Smith’s absence at the committee meeting, Mrs. Land presented the committee’s report.
College’s Assessment Program:
The meeting began with a discussion of the College’s Assessment Program. The College has a mature assessment program that has been validated by both SACS and CHE. Every College department operates on a three-year assessment cycle: Year 1 – Plan; Year 2 – Gather Data; and Year 3 – Analyze/Assess. The College is very serious about its self-assessment in an effort to improve institutional effectiveness and its internal and external accountability.
In addition to departmental assessment, the College relies heavily upon a select group of national and external surveys. The committee focused on two major assessment tools that the College uses – the NSSE and the NSO surveys. The NSSE is a nationally normed survey that the College administers every other year to determine different aspects of our ability to engage our students in and out of class. The NSO survey measures what students think are important issues for them in areas such as technology and campus environment and compares that to their satisfaction with how the College addresses these issues.
Status of 4CI/Strategic Plan:
The meeting concluded with Mr. Abrams giving the committee an update on the status of the implementation of the 4CI/Strategic Plan. The College is well underway with the six goals and thirty-five indicators contained in the plan. Interim reports have been submitted on each of the goals, indicating activities to date, remaining actions to be taken, and an estimate of the percentage of work completed and an estimate of how much time until final accomplishment of the goal. Each area will submit a final annual report for its goal this summer. These reports will be gathered and analyzed, and a report card will be submitted to the Board at its October meeting. The plan appears to be 70% complete.
President Higdon noted that the Board needs to hear about assessment and that it is important for them to see how the College is measuring up.
Old Business:
Chairman Small thanked Dr. Gordan Stine for joining the meeting today, and then asked the Board to consider an amendment to the Trustee Emeritus Section of the Board of Trustees Bylaws.
It was moved (Marlowe) and seconded (Land) that the Trustee Emeritus Section of the Board of Trustees Bylaws be amended as follows:
Replace “elected by the General Assembly for three consecutive terms” with “to have served three consecutive terms.” All in favor.
Since Mrs. Sylvia Harvey served on the Board of Trustees from 1988-1999, she is eligible to declare herself as “Trustee Emeritus.”
It was moved (Land) and seconded (Smith) that Sylvia Harvey be named “Trustee Emeritus”
of the College of Charleston Board of Trustees. All in favor.
Elizabeth Kassebaum will send Mrs. Harvey a letter notifying her of this action.
Chairman Small noted that he spoke of Joel’s leadership at the portrait unveiling yesterday. He thanked Joel for his leadership on the Board of Trustees and stated: “You will be missed at this table. Because of your tenure, there will always be a seat for you, and I hope you will fill it often. I appreciate the commitment and leadership you have given this board. Because of your leadership, you have challenged us. Your remarks came from the heart and that touched our hearts. We appreciate all you have done.” Chairman Small presented Mr. Joel Smith with a silver box as a small token of appreciation.
Joel replied: “Friendship developed over the years is just a small gift.”
It was moved (Miller) and seconded (Thompson) to take a break at 10:20 a.m.
Meeting resumed at 10:35 a.m.
There being no further business, it was moved (Thompson) and seconded (Miller) to go into Executive Session at 10:35 a.m. All approved.
Executive Session ended at 11:45 a.m. It was moved (Belk) and seconded (Bell) to come out of Executive Session.
It was moved (Land) and seconded (Thompson) that honorary degrees be awarded to Mr. Mark Musick at the Graduate School Commencement Ceremony on Saturday, May 15, 2004, and Mrs. Marion Rivers Cato and Mr. Wayland H. Cato, Jr. at the College of Charleston Commencement Ceremony on Sunday, May 16, 2004. All in favor.
The date for the next Board meeting has been changed to June 30-July 1, 2004.
Chairman Small asked if anyone would like to change committees, please let him know. New committee assignments will be made at the June 30-July 1 meeting.
There being no further business, it was moved (Smith) and seconded (Miller) that this meeting of the Board of Trustees be adjourned. All in favor.
Meeting adjourned at 11:48 a.m.