March Minutes - Lander University

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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.
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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
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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.
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
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.
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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
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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.
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
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
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