Aiken County Commission for Higher Education Minutes
May 8, 2013 at 5:00 p.m.
ACCHE Members Present: Tim Simmons, Ernest Allen, Gasper Toole, Clarence Jackson, Ron Wood,
Rebecca Robbins, Beth Everitt, Sandra Jordan (ex-officio) and Eugene Sawyer (Commissioner Emeritus)
USCA Staff Present: Deidre Martin, Randy Duckett, Deb Kladivko, Ernest Pringle, Mike Jara, Lloyd
Dawe, Lisa Groft, and Joe Sobieralski
ACCHE Members Not Present: Carlos Garcia, Teresa Haas, Don Smith, and Jim West
Mr. Simmons called the meeting to order and stated that notice of the meeting had been published in
accordance with the South Carolina Freedom of Information Act. Mr. Simmons called for approval of the
March 6, 2013 minutes. The minutes were approved as presented.
Mr. Simmons recognized Mr. Eugene Sawyer, Commissioner Emeritus, and thanked him for attending
the meeting.
Mr. Simmons called upon Mr. Sobieralski to report for the Finance Committee. Members were referred
to a Statement of Financial Position as of March 31, 2013.
Assets include:
Money Market County Millage
Money Market Investment
Smith Barney (fixed)
Vanguard Total Bond Market Index
Vanguard Total Stock Market Index
Total Liabilities and Net Assets
$160,418.73
$30,537.01
$61,040.52
$218,602.08
$1,115,739.52
$1,586,337.86
Mr. Sobieralski noted the following changes since the January 31, 2013, update as follows:
- Reviewed funds in accordance with updated investment policy
o Policy states: 70% (+/- 10%) in equities with balance in fixed income cash with cash
target of $35,000 (+/_) $10,000
o Current Mix: Equities -70.3%; Fixed/Cash – 29.7%; Cash (non-millage) $30,537
- In compliance with investment policy
- Received $100,000 in millage funds from Aiken County
- Saw increase of approximately $57,900 in value of assets (Primarily in equity funds)
- Transferred $50,000 in millage funds to USCA for operations of plant
The following 2013-2014 budget was proposed for the Aiken County funds:
Sources:
Mandatory Uses:
Net Funds Available to ACCHE:
Proposed Expenses:
Estimated Revenues – Millage Aiken County - $738,295
Bond Payment Fees - $638,295
$100,000
Maintenance Operational Expenses - $100,000
A motion was made by Mr. Toole and seconded by Mr. Allen to approve the proposed budget. The
motion was approved unanimously.
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Page 2 of 3
For the Building and Grounds Committee, Mr. Allen said that Mr. Mike Jara recently accepted a
position with the South Caroling Budget and Control Board. He then called on Ms. Lisa Groft for a
report. Ms. Groft discussed the following projects.
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Pedestrian Bridge Update – We are working through a process with the SC Department of
Transportation and Carolina Gas for the right of way issues.
Penland Fountain Project – The horse sculpture has arrived. The bid documents should be
advertised the end of this month.
Flag Court – The flag pole has been relocated to the front of the Student Activities Center.
We are waiting to complete the pavers, light fixtures, and seating.
Greenhouse Project – This is out to bid with bids due back on Friday. There is a grant funding
this project and it is on schedule.
Renovation Projects – Elevator projects for the Penland Administration Building, Library,
and Humanities and Social Sciences Building (complete replacement). Interior facelift with
flooring, painting, and light fixtures for the Business and Education Building. Restroom
project for Penland Administration Building is out to bid.
We are in discussions with Starbucks to add this venue to the Student Activities Center with
an outdoor patio.
Press box project for soccer field is underway.
For the Academic Liaison Committee, Ms. Robbins shared several handouts from Dr. Jeff Priest in
Academic Affairs. The book selected for the Freshman Reading Program is “Into the Wild.” She also
shared the awards that USC Aiken students received at the South Carolina Academy of Science meeting
in April and the Magellan Scholar Awards for Summer and Fall 2013. Ms. Robbins also shared that the
following new faculty members have been hired for the 2013-2014 school year:
 Dr. April DeLaurier, Biology
 Dr. Patsy Lewelly, Business
 Ms. Jennifer Regelski, Education
 Dr. Julie Wise, English
 Dr. Meaghan Dwyer-Ryan, History
 Dr. Phyllis Ellison, Psychology
 Ms. Meredith Elzy, Psychology
Dr. Jordan added that Dr. Maureen Carrigan, Psychology, was named a Carolina Trustee Professor. Only
one non-Columbia campus professor is selected for this award each year.
For the Chairman’s Report, Mr. Simmons reported that the ACCHE participation rate for giving to USC
Aiken is currently at 80%. He asked ACCHE members to be certain they make their donation for 20122013 year prior to June 30, 2013, to ensure that the ACCHE is at 100%.
Mr. Simmons discussed the work that Mr. Sobieralski has done to inventory the University property to
determine who holds the deeds. This work is ongoing and Mr. Sobieralski will continue to research this
project. Mr. Toole shared a history of how the ACCHE and USC Aiken have evolved over time. The
ACCHE members agreed that we need to be certain we have collected all of the deed information and
have it in a safe location on the campus for future reference.
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Mr. Simmons raised the issue of Director and Officer Insurance for the ACCHE. The group discussed the
issue and asked Mr. Simmons to consult with Rep. Roland Smith on the liability of the ACCHE and the
need for insurance. Mr. Toole made a motion to indemnify members of the ACCHE from any liability.
Mr. Allen seconded the motion. The motion was unanimously approved.
For the Chancellor’s Report, Dr. Jordan updated the group on the 2013-2014 State Budget. It currently
looks positive that USC Aiken will receive an additional $250,000 in recurring funds to partially address
the parity issue. Dr. Jordan said that we should be level in enrollment for Fall 2013. She said a
tremendous amount of work has gone into our recruitment efforts with a shrinking student population
entering college across the Southeast.
Dr. Kladivko said that our housing projections for Fall 2013 are positive and we have met our budget. She
said we have some new initiatives to fill all of the beds in housing. We have filled 815 beds out of 960
available beds.
Dr. Jordan said that the Forward Together Task Forces have presented their reports with
recommendations for moving the campus forward from the visioning process.
Dr. Jordan reported on several searches. Dr. Jeff Priest has been hired as the Executive Vice Chancellor
for Academic Affairs. We have two searches underway: Associate Vice Chancellor for Enrollment
Management and Senior University Facilities Executive. She said that we are pleased to have Mr. Randy
Duckett moving into the Director of Alumni Relations and Community Partnerships position on July 1st.
The meeting was adjourned at 6:10 p.m.
Key Dates:
May 9, 2013 – Commencement Reception and Ceremony, 6:00 pm/7:00 pm
September 11, 2013 – ACCHE Meeting, 5:00 pm
October 9, 2013 – ACCHE Meeting, 5:00 pm
December 11, 2013 – ACCHE Meeting, 5:00 pm
December 12, 2013 – Convocation Reception and Ceremony, 6:00 pm/7:00 pm