BOARD OF TRUSTEES OF LANDER UNIVERSITY Lois Grier Room Lander University Greenwood, South Carolina Tuesday, March 5, 2013 1:30 p.m. Presiding: Mr. Raymond D. Hunt, Chair Members of the Board in Attendance: Mr. Robert Barber Ms. Ann B. Bowen Ms. Holly Bracknell Mr. Bobby M. Bowers Mr. Robert Brimmer Dr. Linda L. Dolny Ms. Catherine Lee Frederick Mr. Maurice Holloway Dr. Ann Hurst Mr. Jack Lawrence Mr. Donald H. Lloyd, II Dr. John Nicholson, Jr. Ms. Mamie W. Nicholson Mr. George R. Starnes Ms. Anne Walker Mr. Fred M. Thrailkill Others in Attendance: President Daniel W. Ball; Dr. David Mash, Vice President for Academic Affairs; Mr. Tom Covar, Vice President for Business and Administration; Mr. H. Randall Bouknight, Vice President for Student Affairs; Mr. Adam Taylor, Vice President for Governmental Relations; Mr. Ralph Patterson, Vice President for University Advancement; Mr. Jefferson J. May, Athletics Director; Dr. Jonathan Bassett, Chair, Faculty Senate; and Ms. Sadie Erwin, Administrative Assistant, President’s Office Guests: Ms. Megan Price, Director, University Relations and Publications; Ms. Eleanor Teal, Special Assistant to the President, Ms. Joyce Cai, Visiting Chinese Scholar, Dr. Andre Luebeke, Professor of Mathematics, Ms. Michelle Laxer, Index Journal. Chair Hunt stated for the record that the appropriate publicity for the meeting, in order to comply with the Freedom of Information Act, had been disseminated and this meeting was in compliance with that Act. 2 The regular meeting of the Lander University Board of Trustees was called to order at 1:30 p.m. by Chair Hunt who acknowledged and welcomed all guests. MINUTES: IT WAS MOVED and seconded that the minutes of the last meeting, Friday, December 14, 2012, be approved. A vote was taken; the motion carried unanimously. PRESIDENT’S COMMENTS: Chair Hunt called upon President Ball for comments. 1. Dr. Ball introduced Lander Students: Kayla Goldman, Corrie Woods, Mary Evan Giles and Tessa Moody who then performed a musical number for the Board of Trustees. 2. Lander University has been recognized by the Arbor Day Foundation as a 2012 Tree Campus USA. To achieve this distinction Lander met five core standards. Thanks to Austin Trousdale, Frank Sells, Jimmy Walters- Urban Forester – SC Forestry Commission, and James Hodges from Clemson Extension. 3. Lander Student, Josie Hayes, won First Place in the 2013 Peach Belt Conference Art Exhibition. 4. Dr. Ball requested and recommended motion to bestow on Jim Shore, international artist and Buck Fulp of the Abney family and foundation the Honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters. IT WAS MOVED that the recommendation to bestow on Jim Shore and Buck Fulp with an Honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters be approved. A vote was taken; the motion carried unanimously. 5. Retired Faculty member, Bob Taylor, passed away. Chair Hunt announced 2 dates: April 20, 2013 - Commencement Ceremony June 4 - 5, 2013 - Board Retreat and Meeting ACADEMIC AFFAIRS: Ms. Ann Bowen reported on behalf of the Academic Affairs Committee. She called attention to the report from the Office of Academic Affairs, which had been distributed earlier. (A copy of the report will be made a part of the official minutes.) Ms. Bowen presented the following action item: Proposal to suspend the Undergraduate Degree in Athletic Training: Ms. Bowen presented a motion to suspend the Athletic Training undergraduate degree program. Discussion followed regarding costs of program, number of graduates, change in requirements from CHE, etc. A summary of the proposed changes in the Faculty Handbook 3 is included in the report that was distributed earlier. (A copy of the report will be made a part of the official minutes). IT WAS MOVED and seconded that the proposed changes be approved as presented. A vote was taken; the motion carried unanimously. Ms. Bowen highlighted the following: Honors College is now actively recruiting students for its first year. Prospects of an honors residence hall in Brookside. 17 applicants have come from current students that are advanced applicants. Dr. Mash highlighted new graduate program in Nursing and Emergency Management and the paperwork is with CHE. Later next month he will be attending a provost meeting regarding approval at state level. Reinstating Interdisciplinary Studies program and paperwork also with CHE. Dr. Mash emphasized that faculty are actively engaged in their professions and do a lot of extra things to stay current in their professions and active in the community. Dr. Bassett is one of our star faculty members and research machines. Question from Chair Hunt about how enrollment is for online classes. Dr. Mash stated enrollment is not through the roof but sustainable. Discussion followed. INSTITUTIONAL ADVANCEMENT COMMITTEE: Ms. Mamie Nicholson called attention to the report from the Office of University Advancement, which had been distributed earlier. (A copy of the report will be made a part of the official minutes.) She then highlighted the following: Making reference to the report, she requested members take a look at page two for a list of financial contributions to date. We received final $300,000 for the Jeff May Complex from the City of Greenwood, $50,000 for Abney Foundation Scholarships and $38,000 for the Boedecker Foundation Honors College Scholarships, among others. Annual Gifts at $599,667 and Total Gifts to Date- $912,369, which is down from last year, but should increase significantly when auction held in April. Board member Don H. Lloyd, II has included Lander in his will. John and Holly Bracknell established the Eula Caudle Bracknell Music Scholarship. Thank you to Megan Price and her staff for press releases and publications and applaud the quality of their work. 4 We currently have 59 participants in the Docent Program and we are looking for ways to recognize the service of these docents. Capital Campaign update: feasibility study work continues. Steering Committee will be formed later in the spring. Marketing information and donor interviews will follow. Ralph Patterson highlighted importance of an additional $38,000 contribution from The Boedecker Foundation that will be used to help with Capital Campaign, and they have committed to additional funding for next 4-5 years. STUDENT AFFAIRS/INTERCOLLEGIATE ATHLETICS COMMITTEE: Mr. George Starnes called attention to the report from the Office of Student Affairs, which had been distributed earlier. (A copy of the report will be made a part of the official minutes.) He then highlighted the following: Searches are underway to fill vacancies for student nurse and student counselor. Group met with Garvin Design Group for the new residence hall. Ms. Joyce Cai from Shanghai Normal University here for a semester on staff with Student Affairs. New Student Fitness Center opened January 4, 2013 – incredible job. Randy Bouknight has created a taskforce to address the alcohol, drug and violence that is taking place on college campuses, here and everywhere. Greenwood County has the 5th worst underage drinking record in the state. Discussion followed. Expo 2013 events coming up. February was Black History Month. Randy Bouknight added the following comments: At the planning retreat in June, Jo Franks, who is chair of the behavior intervention team and counselor, will speak with board about things we are faced with at Lander as well as in county and state. Not just Lander issues - - similar issues everywhere. Student Fitness center has taken off very well. Dr. Ball had Randy highlight the attendance numbers for zumba, yoga, spin and fitness classes. Trent and Matt have done a great job. These classes are all free to students, faculty and staff. 5 INTERCOLLEGIATE ATHLETICS: Mr. Starnes called attention to the report from Intercollegiate Athletics, which had been distributed earlier. (A copy of the report will be made a part of the official minutes.) He then highlighted the following: Lander Athletic Auction on April 25, 2013 Bearcat Club membership had a goal of 400 and will finish at 425. Lander will host the PBC Baseball Tournament May 8-12, 2013. Great for the school and the community and opportunity to showcase the complex. Baseball – preseason was ranked #25 and currently ranked #7, Kermit Smith doing a great job with the program. Women’s Golf – have won 2 tournaments and Freshman Teresa Hernani shot a school record and has personally won 2 tournaments. The JMC Field House should be finished by April 18, 2013. Jeff May added the following comments: Encourage all to come to April Auction – Swingin’ Medallions going to perform. Men’s Tennis currently ranked 8th in the country and currently undefeated in league. We are working with the city on the Baseball Tournament, which is a huge undertaking with over 250 team members and families. FINANCE AND FACILITIES COMMITTEE: Bobby Bowers called attention to the report from the Finance and Facilities Committee, which had been distributed earlier. (A copy of the report will be made a part of the official minutes). Tom Covar adding the following comments: Entries have been made to the budget to reflect the actions that were adopted at the December meeting. Currently revenues/expenditures this year are $13 million. Transfer fees are detailed in the report. Ray Hunt commented that Lander has had the lowest rise in tuition in the past 13 years of any SC institution. 13 years ago Lander was 50% state supported and 6 currently only 9% state supported. He applauds everyone present on what they have been able to do with the amount Lander has been cut. Mr. Bowers presented the following action item: Approval to continue Dr. and Mrs. Ball’s yearly housing allowance, $3,333 monthly. IT WAS MOVED that the President’s yearly housing allowance be approved. A vote was taken: the motion carried unanimously. Legislative Update: Mr. Adam Taylor, Vice President of Governmental Relations, called attention to the report from Governmental Relations, which had been distributed earlier. (A copy of the report will be made a part of the official minutes.) He then highlighted the following: General Assembly started on January 8th, so we are two full months thru the regular session. The House Ways and Means Committee voted on their version of the budget on February 21st and in that Lander received recurring base of $6.1 million. They did not include any deferred maintenance money this time. Adam is hopeful that in the Senate, Lander may get some money for deferred maintenance. There is no proposed pay raise this year for state employees in the House version of the budget. Technology money is included under the lottery budget $400,000-$500,000 The floor debate for the budget is scheduled for next week March 12. The Senate Finance hearing is March 19 and Dr. Ball presents to the Senate on our behalf. The senators on that committee are Courson, Verdin and Ford. Adam encouraged any board members to attend. . There are about 20 bills that are pending right now dealing with Higher Education and most are in the committee process. Two bills of particular interest, one on each side, are bills to establish the College and University Board of Regents. Adam does not see any action on these this year other than some hearings. Discussion followed. Another bill regarding Accountability Based Funding is pending with a committee meeting scheduled for March 6th. 7 Still working hard on our Lander Intern in Washington program and hope to have our first students in the DC area by Spring 2014. This program will run in conjunction with the Honors College. FACULTY SENATE: On behalf of the faculty Senate, Dr. Jonathon Bassett, Chair of the Faculty Senate, called attention to the report from Academic Affairs, which had been distributed earlier. (A copy of the report will be made a part of the official minutes.) He then highlighted the following: Dr. Bassett relayed that there are general concerns from faculty regarding the recently announced budget issues. In the past few faculty senate meetings they have discussed these issues and have prepared a statement to share with the board. Dr. Bassett then read the statement. Discussion followed regarding better utilization of the Budget Advisory Committee of the Faculty Senate. Also discussed importance of making sure information received during board meetings and from board reports is relayed back to the faculty through the faculty senate chair. The idea of a faculty member attending finance subcommittee meetings by invitation from the committee chair was presented. Discussion followed. EXECUTIVE SESSION: Motion made and seconded by Bowers/Lloyd to move into executive session at 3:05pm. ADJOURNMENT: The meeting was adjourned at 4:05 p.m. NEXT MEETING: Board Retreat: Tuesday & Wednesday, June 4-5, 2013