Winthrop Board of Trustees Meeting Recap
Last week we hosted the Board of Trustees for its regularly scheduled spring quarterly meeting. The board enjoyed hearing about the many efforts across campus that are propelling the university forward, and they noted that our progress is a direct result of all of you.
They heard from me about how our Phase 1 initiatives of the strategic plan, Winthrop: United in Excellence, will soon move (if they haven’t already) from the implementation stage to an operational stage, while the vice presidents and I will work this summer to develop and establish budget for the Phase 2 initiatives, some ideas for which we discussed in committee meetings.
They also heard that we have completed the $10 million purchase of the Courtyard residence hall from the Winthrop University Real Estate Foundation (WUREF). A deed for the Courtyard sale was recorded to transfer the title of the four-story apartment building on March 21. Earlier this year, the state’s Joint Bond Review Committee and the State Fiscal Accountability Authority gave final state approvals for us to purchase the residence hall.
WUREF also will transfer an estimated $6 million in reserves and operating accounts to Winthrop. Of the amount transferred, $3.6 million was designated by the Board of Trustees to be used over the next two summers to repair heating, ventilation and the air conditioning systems and other related renovations at the Courtyard.
Board members also gave approval to pay for renovations to Joynes Hall’s first floor, the building’s restrooms, and expansion of the entry plaza. Handling the work will be Carolina Contracting for a cost of $986,270.
On the opposite side of campus, a new pedestrian campus entrance on Stewart Avenue at the railroad tracks will be completed, called the Southwest Gateway project. Handling the contract to put in a new walkway that crosses Alumni Drive and ties into the sidewalk at Johnson Hall will be RNF Builders for $381,213.
The board was informed of a plan to turn the Macfeat House into an Academic Hub to promote synergy and camaraderie. This will increase opportunities for grant writing, collaborations and restore event space for the Academic Affairs division.
Trustees also heard about another move. The Center for Career Development and Internships will move from Bancroft Hall into the DiGiorgio Campus Center with an anticipated project completion date of January 2027.
Congratulations are in order for faculty who were approved by the board in their tenure and promotion bids. Hard work pays off, and our hats are off to them. A full release may be found here, so check out the list so you know who will be smiling more widely later this summer. Of note, Academic Affairs added a new faculty level this year to give standing to an unrecognized group. The title of senior instructor has existed at other universities and for a long time at Winthrop, but there was no process on how to attain the title. We now have that, and a happy group of senior instructors is included in the release linked above.
Board members also approved two new concentrations – financial planning and healthcare management – within the Master of Business Administration degree.
Other board action included:
- Approval to enter a silent phase for a comprehensive campaign for the Division of University Advancement. With Winthrop’s last campaign ending in 2015, the advancement office worked with a consultant during much of 2024 to assess and prepare for a comprehensive campaign. The consultant’s recommendations were presented at the board’s February retreat.
- Approval for the Office of Admissions to allow prospective students a choice in submitting standardized test scores during the 2026 and 2027 admissions cycles. This “test optional” approach has been in effect at Winthrop for a number of years, as the university has found that a student’s high school GPA rather than standardized test scores clearly correlate the strongest with cumulative Winthrop GPA and graduation.
- Adoption of First Day Complete Inclusive Access, which is a Barnes and Noble course materials program. The new option will ensure that students have access to all required course materials on or before the first day of class, which will promote academic preparedness, convenience and affordability. This will create an extra fee for students, but it is not required. The cost of $22 per credit hour was approved by the board.
- Acceptance of Athletics’ 10-year Audit that was requested by Board Chair Glenn McCall.
- Approval of a new Internal Audit Charter which outlines the mission, roles and responsibilities, standards of practice and scope for the university’s Internal Audit operation.
Visit the Board of Trustees website in the coming days to read more about the above action in the resolutions section. Thank you for your interest in the activities of the board.
