The official minutes of the University of South Carolina Board of Trustees are maintained by the Secretary of the Board. Certified copies of minutes may be requested by contacting the Board of Trustees’ Office. Electronic or other copies of original minutes are not official Board of Trustees' documents.

The Board of Trustees of the University of South Carolina met on Friday, December 15, 1997, at 10:00 a.m. in Ballroom C of the Russell House University Union.

Board members present were: Mr. William C. Hubbard, Chairman; Mr. Mack I. Whittle, Jr., Vice Chairman; Dr. C. Edward Floyd, Chairman Emeritus; Mr. Herbert C. Adams; Mr. Donald A. Bailey; Mr. James Bradley; Mr. Mark W. Buyck, Jr.; Mr. Samuel R. Foster, II; Mrs. Helen C. Harvey; Mr. Toney J. Lister; Mr. Miles Loadholt; Mr. Robert N. McLellan; Mr. J. DuPre Miller; Mr. Michael J. Mungo; Mr. Robert C. Osborne, Jr.; Mr. M. Wayne Staton; and Mr. Othniel H. Wienges, Jr. Faculty representative Eldon D. Wedlock, Jr., was also present. Members absent were: Mr. Arthur S. Bahnmuller; Mr. William M. Gregg, II; and Dr. Barbara S. Nielsen. Student representative Jamel Franklin was also absent.

Others present were: President John M. Palms; Secretary Thomas L. Stepp; Secretary Emeritus George Curry; Trustees Emeriti E. Cater Floyd and Edward M. Singleton; Trustee Emerita Lily Roland Hall; Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs and Provost Jerome D. Odom; Vice President for Business and Finance John L. Finan; Vice President for Human Resources Jane M. Jameson; Vice President for Student and Alumni Affairs Dennis A. Pruitt; Vice President for Development Charles D. Phlegar; General Counsel Walter (Terry) H. Parham; Director of Athletics Michael B. McGee; Chancellor, USC Aiken, Robert E. Alexander; Associate Provost and Dean of the Graduate School Marcia G. Welsh; Vice Provost and Executive Dean, Regional Campuses and Continuing Education, and Interim Dean, College of Applied Professional Sciences, John J. Duffy; Dean, USC Beaufort, Chris Plyler; Dean, USC Lancaster, Joseph Pappin; Dean, USC Sumter, C. Leslie Carpenter; Dean, College of Pharmacy, Farid Sadik; Dean, School of the Environment, Bruce C. Coull; Interim Dean, College of Science and Mathematics, Roger H. Sawyer; Interim Dean, College of Education, Harvey A. Allen; Associate Dean, College of Journalism and Mass Communications, Ronald T. Farrar; Assistant Dean, School of Medicine, James Buggy; Associate Chancellor for Business Affairs, USC Spartanburg, Robert Connelly; Executive Director, Office of University Foundations, Susie VanHuss; Director, Housing and Residential Services, Gene Luna; Director of Business Affairs Richard D. Wertz; Director, Department of Internal Audit, Alton McCoy; Director of Facilities Management and University Architect Charles G. Jeffcoat; Assistant Director of Planning Services for Facilities Management Donna Collins; Associate Vice Provost for Sponsored Programs and Research Ardis M. Savory; Chief Executive Assistant to the President J. Lyles Glenn; Chairman, Union/Laurens Commission for Higher Education, William J. Whitener; Member of the USC Board of Visitors and Pastor at Mt. Hebron United Methodist, The Reverend John Wesley Culp; Director of Public Affairs Russell McKinney; representative from University Publications Chris Horn; representative from Media Relations Jason Snyder; and a member of the external media.

Chairman Hubbard called the meeting to order and stated that there were personnel matters with respect to honorary faculty titles, promotion and tenure, and naming opportunities appropriate for Executive Session. He called for a motion to enter Executive Session. Mr. Whittle so moved, and Mr. Wienges seconded the motion. The vote was taken, and the motion carried.

The following persons were invited to remain: Dr. Palms, Mr. Stepp, Dr. Odom, Mr. Finan, Ms. Jameson, Dr. Pruitt, Mr. Parham, Mr. Phlegar, Mr. McCoy, Dr. Alexander, Dr. Duffy, Dr. McGee, Mr. Glenn, Mr. McKinney, Dr. Curry, Mrs. Hall, Dr. Singleton, Mr. Floyd, Col. Whitener, Ms. Medich, and Ms. Hyatt.

Executive Session

Return to Open Session

Chairman Hubbard called the meeting to order and stated that notice of the meeting had been posted and the press notified as required by the Freedom of Information Act; the agenda and supporting materials had been circulated to the members, and a quorum was present.

The Reverend John Wesley Culp, a member of the USC Board of Visitors and pastor at Mt. Hebron United Methodist Church in West Columbia, was invited to give the Invocation. At Mr. Buyck's request, the Reverend Culp's remarks are included in these minutes. Mr. Culp said his daughter was graduating from USC on this day, and she was his second child to graduate from the University.

We give You thanks, oh God, for this great University whose history is one of sound learning, new discovery, and the pursuit of wisdom.

We thank You, God, for the University family and administrators, faculty and many caretakers, for their generosity in caring for each other and others, for President Palms and his wife Norma who make many sacrifices for the good of others.

We thank You, God, for the 8,000 students who will graduate this academic year, and the 10,000 new applications for the future.

We thank You, God, for the visions and projections being strived for, the endowments, the capital funds campaign--the many gifts that will enable this great institution of knowledge to survive in the ages to come, meeting needs of tomorrow throughout the world.

We thank You, God, for the many hours of research, designing, and teaching that will benefit the health and welfare of mankind. These new thoughts and discoveries are gifts that will take us to the frontiers of technology, to the battlefield of health, curing of diseases, the strengthening of the economy of our society, and giving us truth and wisdom for our daily living.

We thank You, God, for the memories, the thoughts and the values given to us by our teachers and mentors. Remind us that we are the caretakers of the soul of the University of South Carolina. Let us not be empty in our lives, but filled with inspiration and desire to seek the highest in all disciplines of learning, and the freedom that comes from educated lives.

Grant us the privilege to continue to develop and teach young minds who will be the survivors and leaders of tomorrow. Allow us the mission to educate the world.

We thank You, God, for the safety and health of our students and faculty. Entrusted to our care are the lives that are valued and loved by families that believe in us. Let everyone, regardless of wealth, nationality, or race, find a home and a place of growth and nurture at the University of South Carolina.

We thank You, God, for the acceptance of our own personal lives and the opportunity to give back. God, we have so much to be thankful for. Amen.

Chairman Hubbard welcomed everyone to the meeting, especially welcoming Dr. Curry, Mrs. Hall, Mr. Floyd, Dr. Singleton, and Col. Whitener. The members of the University family and guests were invited to introduce themselves. Jason Snyder introduced the representative from University Publications. No members of the external media were present at this time, but one did join the meeting in progress.

I. Approval of Minutes: The following eleven sets of minutes were circulated by mail to the Board for review and were presented for approval:

A. Health Affairs Committee, September 25, 1997

B. Academic Affairs & Faculty Liaison Committee, September 25, 1997

C. Buildings and Grounds Committee, October 9, 1997

D. Board of Trustees, October 9, 1997

E. Intercollegiate Activities Committee, October 30, 1997

F. Executive Committee, October 30, 1997

G. Student-Trustee Liaison Committee, October 30, 1997

H. Executive Committee, November 5, 1997

I. Fiscal Policy Committee, November 7, 1997

J. Buildings and Grounds Committee, November 14, 1997

K. Academic Affairs & Faculty Liaison Committee, November 14, 1997

There were no additions, deletions, or corrections to the minutes; they stood approved as distributed.

II. Committee Reports

A. Intercollegiate Activities Committee

(The Honorable Donald A. Bailey, reporting)

The Intercollegiate Activities Committee met on October 30 and received a report from the University Athletics Advisory Committee which detailed its objectives and activities.

Dr. Palms announced to the Committee that the Department of Athletics had agreed to provide additional funding for academic scholarships in the amount of $1.65 million over the next five years. Mr. Bailey thanked Dr. McGee and Dr. Palms for that agreement.

Dr. McGee briefed the Committee on the highlights of fall sports including the successes of the volleyball, soccer, and golf teams.

Two contracts dealing with athletics matters, which had been approved by the Executive Committee without previous notification to the Intercollegiate Activities Committee, were reviewed. They were the contract with First USA Bank for the marketing of its credit cards and the contract with the University Club for use by the golf team. The Committee received assurances from the administration that it would be kept informed prior to action being taken on any athletics matters by another committee.

The Committee was also briefed on the Athletics Bond Anticipation Note for 1998 which would be presented to the Board for action by the Executive Committee in today's meeting. The Committee also received reports on contractual matters in Executive Session.

B. Executive Committee

(The Honorable William C. Hubbard, reporting)

1. Report on Meeting of October 30, 1997: At its meeting of October 30, the Executive Committee approved the following contracts valued in excess of $250,000:

a) An agreement between USC Spartanburg and Enterprise Development, Inc. The contract was a rental agreement under which Enterprise Development would rent and use the John M. Rampey, Jr., Center at USC Spartanburg. It would promote and market its own courses as well as offerings made by USC Spartanburg at the Rampey Center.

b) The annual agreement between USC Spartanburg and the Carolina Piedmont Foundation. This was the base document which established the legal relationship between the two entities.

c) The annual agreement between USC Columbia and the Business Partnership Foundation. This was the base agreement which established the legal relationship between the two entities.

Additional details on the contracts could be found in the minutes of the October 30 Executive Committee meeting.

Also at that meeting, the Executive Committee authorized payment to F N Thompson Company, Inc., of $425,000, according to the terms of a settlement agreement for claims resulting from the West Side addition to Williams Brice Stadium.

2. Athletics Bond Anticipation Note for 1998: The Resolution for the Athletics Bond Anticipation Note for 1998 had been reviewed by the Intercollegiate Activities Committee and the Executive Committee. The Executive Committee approved the Resolution for recommendation to the full Board.

The Board was asked to approve a resolution making provision for the issuance of University of South Carolina Athletic Facilities Revenue Bonds, not to exceed $18,300,000, to raise moneys to provide permanent financing for a portion of the cost of the 1995 and 1996 projects and to pay all or a portion of the principal of and interest on currently outstanding Athletic Facilities Revenue Bond Anticipation Notes, Series 1997; and authorizing the issuance of Bond Anticipation Notes in anticipation of the issuance of the bonds; and other matters relating thereto.

On behalf of the Executive Committee, Mr. Hubbard moved to approve the resolution as stated, and Mr. Bailey seconded the motion. The vote was taken, and the motion carried. [See Exhibit A]

3. Report on Meeting of November 5, 1997: At a meeting of the Executive Committee held via telephone conference call, the President, in consultation with the Chairman of the Board, was authorized to request The USC Development Foundation to purchase an aircraft for appropriate use by the University at a maximum price of $980,000 and to seek approvals from the State for the University ultimately to lease and/or purchase the aircraft.

The motion included the authorization to initiate State procedures for the disposition of an existing airplane, with the revenues obtained therefrom to be applied to the purchase price.

Since the meeting on November 5, the administration found a suitable aircraft for purchase within these guidelines, and The Development Foundation purchased the plane. The present University aircraft would be used primarily by the Athletics Department, and the present Athletics Department aircraft was being sold through State government procedures.

C. Student-Trustee Liaison Committee

(The Honorable Miles Loadholt, reporting)

The Student-Trustee Liaison Committee met on October 30, with student representatives from most of the University's campuses in attendance.

The Student Body President of USC Beaufort presented a report on student life at USC Beaufort. Active military personnel account for 17 percent of the current student body. Classes were conducted at the Beaufort Campus, the Marine Air Station, and Parris Island. The Beaufort Campus serves the local community from early childhood through retirement.

Student leaders from the University's other campuses reviewed activities taking place on their respective campuses including the opening of new and renovated physical facilities, student elections, activities of clubs, and numerous community service activities.

Board members were encouraged to read the minutes of the meeting to learn about the students' activities on the University campuses. The meeting of the Committee was followed by the Annual Student-Trustee Reception at McKissick Museum.

D. Fiscal Policy Committee

(The Honorable Herbert C. Adams, reporting)

1. Report of the Meeting of November 7, 1997: At the November 7 meeting of the Fiscal Policy Committee an Internal Audit was presented for the University Post Office, This audit, which found no exceptions, was reviewed by the Committee and had been mailed to the Board in accordance with established procedures.

The Committee received a report on the disposition of the Carolina Plaza rent. At the end of the last fiscal year there was a fund balance of $1.9 million from the Legislature's lease of space in the Carolina Plaza. The funds would be held in a designated account for future capital building projects as determined by the President and approved by the Board.

Mr. Adams stated that the recommendations of the President for use of the funds would be submitted to the Board for approval. In response to a question from Mr. Lister about the possibility of receiving additional rent for part of 1998, Dr. Palms said it was highly probable, but nothing was final at this time.

The Designated Fund Report for the first quarter of the fiscal year showed that expenditures and income were on track.

2. Disposition of Bookstore Proceeds: The Committee approved, for recommendation to the full Board, a disposition plan for bookstore proceeds. A chart of the disposition of the bookstore proceeds for the next ten years, as approved by the Committee, was included in the materials mailed for this meeting. If the plan as indicated in the chart was successful, the bookstore quasi-endowment fund would total $5,771,988 by the year 2007.

On behalf of the Fiscal Policy Committee, Mr. Adams moved approval of the proposed disposition of bookstore funds. Mr. Whittle seconded the motion. In response to a question from Mr. Whittle, Mr. Adams stated that following the Committee's discussions, the Committee required that the line item in the plan entitled "Other University Needs" should be budgeted on an annual basis with specific items listed; an accounting of those funds should be provided at the end of each fiscal year; and any funds remaining in that account at the end of any given year would be transferred to the bookstore quasi-endowment.

The vote was taken, and the motion carried.

E. Buildings and Grounds Committee

(The Honorable Mark W. Buyck, Jr., reporting)

The Buildings and Grounds Committee met on November 14 and heard reports of ongoing projects including one on the University's "Urban Forest."

Through a $6,200 South Carolina Forest Commission grant, USC conducted a study of the trees on the core campus - the area bounded by Pendleton, Greene, Pickens, and Sumter Streets. In that area, there were 660 trees of 70 different species. The study outlined the necessary steps to protect these trees and identified the ones that were less than healthy.

South Campus Housing West Quadrangle and Maxcy College renovations were com-plete. Students moved into both facilities on schedule for the fall semester 1997.

The National Advocacy Center remained on schedule to begin its programs in 1998; the Graduate Science Research Center was on schedule with completion targeted for February 1999; renovations were begun last month on Flinn Hall, with occupancy scheduled for fall 1998.

Renovations to McMaster, which would house the Art Department, were on schedule with completion anticipated for July 1998. A large building was proposed for the rear of the site to accommodate welding and clay machines with wide, open space. It was originally detailed much like the other parts of the building, but because of cost constraints an alternative was being considered: a brick facade over a pre-engineered structure. Cost would be the deciding factor, and the Committee was monitoring that closely.

The second phase of new housing, South Campus Housing East Quadrangle, was in the design stage; the design would be shown to the Committee at its next meeting. The Architectural Review Committee had looked at the design and made several suggestions. The Buildings and Grounds Committee was informed that the University was on record with the city of Columbia to be in first position for the Naval Reserve property when it is vacated. When the East Quadrangle was completed, it was planned to have a park extending to Blossom and Pickens Streets. Acquisition of the Naval Reserve property was an important part of that overall plan.

The Graduate Science Research Center must be completed in order to move the animal care facility, and the Early Childhood Development Center must be moved by June/July 1998 to accommodate the construction of the East Quadrangle on that site.

The Greek Housing infrastructure project had received approval from the State Budget and Control Board; zoning variance was ongoing; engineers had been hired; and construction was scheduled to begin in summer 1998. Several Greek organizations had begun fundraising activities and, by all indications, four or five should be ready to begin construction when the University was ready. It was generally believed that once construction began on the first group, the others would follow soon.

The following items were approved for recommendation to the full Board:

1. USC Spartanburg Campus Master Plan: During the last Board meeting, held at USC Spartanburg, Dr. Stockwell made a detailed presentation of the Campus Master Plan. In keeping with that presentation, he requested conceptual approval with the understanding that individual approval would be sought for each project as the plan was developed.

On behalf of the Buildings and Grounds Committee, Mr. Buyck moved conceptual approval of the USC Spartanburg Campus Master Plan with the understanding that the projects would be presented for approval on a project by project basis. Mr. Lister seconded the motion. The vote was taken, and the motion carried.

2. Carolina Coliseum Lighting Replacement Project: This project was included on the $50 million list of deferred maintenance projects and was considered by the Capital Planning Committee as a top priority. It would address the antiquated lighting system in the arena seating area and the concourse of the Coliseum. The lighting, originally state-of-the-art, was outdated to the point that no replacement bulbs could be acquired.

On behalf of the Buildings and Grounds Committee, Mr. Buyck moved approval of the Coliseum Lighting Replacement Project as presented, with a total budget of $600,000 to be funded with $200,000 each from Renovation Reserve, Athletics Department Operating Funds, and the Coliseum Events Account. Mr. Bailey seconded the motion. The vote was taken, and the motion carried.

3. Byrnes Center HVAC Replacement Project: This deferred mainten-ance project would be funded with Renovation Reserve Funds. The main purpose of the project was to improve the indoor air quality in the Byrnes Center. The proposed project would replace the main heating and air conditioning system with new duct work and new equipment. An added benefit would be greater efficiency.

On behalf of the Buildings and Grounds Committee, Mr. Buyck moved approval of the Byrnes Center HVAC Replacement Project as presented with a total budget of $500,000 to be funded with Renovation Reserve Funds. Mr. Bradley seconded the motion. The vote was taken, and the motion carried.

4. Wade Hampton Dormitory Renovations Project: This request was to upgrade the Wade Hampton Dormitory. The project would eliminate the fire hazard of dead end corridors, improve the finishes of communal baths, make modifications of access control, and generally upgrade the lobby areas. The project was scheduled to begin in the summer of 1999.

On behalf of the Buildings and Grounds Committee, Mr. Buyck moved approval of the Wade Hampton Dormitory Renovations project with a total budget of $750,000 to be funded with Housing Funds. Mrs. Harvey seconded the motion. The vote was taken, and the motion carried.

5. Pacer Downs Apartments, USC Aiken: This was a request to allow the administration at USC Aiken to proceed with negotiations to purchase Pacer Downs Apartments which were adjacent to the campus. These 92 units comprised 368 beds. The apartments, constructed 11 to 13 years ago, currently housed USC Aiken students. They were appraised in March 1996 at $3.5 million.

On behalf of the Buildings and Grounds Committee, Mr. Buyck moved to grant USC Aiken approval to begin negotiations for the purchase of Pacer Downs Apartments. Mr. Loadholt seconded the motion. The vote was taken, and the motion carried.

6. Naming of Spaces: The Gift Naming Opportunities Committee met on August 28 and on October 16 and recommended specific items to the Buildings and Grounds Committee. These items were presented without objection in Executive Session to the Committee on October 16 and to the Board earlier today. The recommended naming opportunities were:

a) Arthur Fraser Hall. This naming of Room 016, the large instrumental rehearsal hall, was requested by the School of Music as a substitute naming in its new facility, resulting from the razing of Fraser Hall in McMaster College.

b) Peden B. McLeod Building. This naming at USC Salkehatchie was requested in accordance with the stipulation of the gift of the building to the University by the Western Carolina Higher Education Commission.

c) Gregory P. E. Center. This naming at USC Lancaster was requested on the understandings attendant to the Close and Springs gifts for the construction of the facility.

d) Sumwalt College. This request was to rename the building currently known as the Sumwalt Engineering Center to eliminate confusion regarding the College of Engineering.

e) James Dickey Seminar Room. This naming was in compliance with the contractual stipulation of the acquisition of the personal library of James Dickey to name Room 273 in the Special Collection Department of Thomas Cooper Library in which his volumes will be displayed.

On behalf of the Buildings and Grounds Committee, Mr. Buyck moved approval of the naming opportunities as presented. Dr. Floyd seconded the motion. The vote was taken, and the motion carried.

F. Academic Affairs and Faculty Liaison Committee

(The Honorable Helen C. Harvey, reporting)

1. Honorary Faculty Titles: The following honorary faculty titles had received all approvals and were presented in Executive Session, without objection, to the Academic Affairs and Faculty Liaison Committee on November 14 and to the Board earlier today.

a) Professor Rita Gardio, College of Liberal Arts, Department of Spanish, Italian and Portuguese, would receive the title Distinguished Professor during her final year of service. Upon her retirement June 30, 1998, that title would change to Distinguished Professor Emerita.

b) Professor Wilma Jean Hatcher, USC Sumter, Division of Business Administration and Economics, would receive the title Emerita Professor upon her retirement December 31, 1997.

c) Professor Fontelle Thompson, College of Science and Mathematics, Department of Biological Sciences, would receive the title Emeritus Professor upon his retirement December 31, 1997.

On behalf of the Academic Affairs and Faculty Liaison Committee, Mrs. Harvey moved approval of the requested honorary faculty titles. Mr. Osborne seconded the motion. The vote was taken, and the motion carried.

There was one additional request for an honorary faculty title which was received after the meeting of the Academic Affairs and Faculty Liaison Committee. Since this person was retiring in December 1997, Mrs. Harvey asked for the Board's approval at this meeting.

d) Professor Herman E. Scheiblich, College of Science & Mathematics, Department of Mathematics, would be awarded the title Distinguished Professor during his final year of service. Upon his retirement December 31, 1997, that title would change to Distinguished Professor Emeritus.

Mrs. Harvey moved approval of Dr. Scheiblich's honorary faculty title, and Mr. Staton seconded the motion. The vote was taken, and the motion carried.

e) Professor Annie-Paule Quinsac, College of Liberal Arts, Department of Art, was awarded honorary faculty titles at the October 9, 1997, meeting of the Board. The College of Liberal Arts had asked the Board to rescind the titles because Dr. Quinsac was not retiring from the University.

Mrs. Harvey moved to rescind the honorary faculty titles previously awarded to Professor Annie-Paule Quinsac. Mr. Bradley seconded the motion. The vote was taken, and the motion carried.

2. Promotion and Tenure: The following recommendations for promotion and the award of tenure had received all approvals and were presented in Executive Session, without objection, to the Academic Affairs and Faculty Liaison Committee on November 14 and to this Board earlier today:

a) Dr. Brad M. Tuttle, College of Business Administration, would be promoted and awarded tenure at the rank of Associate Professor;

b) Mr. Christopher B. Hare, University Libraries, would be awarded tenure at the rank of Librarian;

c) Dr. Kirk Fiedler, College of Business Administration, would be promoted and awarded tenure at the rank of Associate Professor.

On behalf of the Academic Affairs and Faculty Liaison Committee, Mrs. Harvey moved approval of the requested promotions and award of tenure. Mr. Wienges seconded the motion. The vote was taken, and the motion carried.

3. Program Proposals: The following program proposals had received all approvals and appeared to be consistent with the mission of the University. They were approved by the Academic Affairs and Faculty Liaison Committee on November 14 for recommendation to the full Board:

a) Modification of Master of Mass Communications by Offering

Newspaper Leadership Specialization, College of Journalism and Mass Communications:

This was a request to modify the Master of Communications degree by offering a newspaper leadership specialization for students interested in careers in newspaper leadership. No additional costs were anticipated.

On behalf of the Committee, Mrs. Harvey moved approval of the requested degree modification. Mr. Buyck seconded the motion. The vote was taken, and the motion carried.

b) Master of Science in Biomedical Science, School of Medicine: The School of Medicine was requesting permission to grant a masters degree in the basic biomedical sciences in its graduate program. The degree would require no additional faculty or costs to the University.

On behalf of the Committee, Mrs. Harvey moved approval of the establishment of a Master of Science in Biomedical Science degree in the School of Medicine. Mr. Mungo seconded the motion. The vote was taken, and the motion carried.

4. Honorary Degree Recipients: On behalf of the Committee, Mrs. Harvey moved to remove the following names from the table to receive honorary degrees: Edward Joseph Villella, Theodor Waigel, and Charles William Wadsworth. Mr. Miller seconded the motion. The vote was taken, and the motion carried.

III. Report of the Chairman: Chairman Hubbard said that Board meetings presented an excellent opportunity to highlight distinguished accomplishments of the University: outstanding programs, outstanding faculty, award winning activities, and other notable measures of success. At this meeting some of the University's outstanding athletics coaches would be presented. These coaches had achieved positive results on all of the yardsticks of athletics accomplishments. Chairman Hubbard then introduced the following coaches:

Joyce Compton, softball, was named the 1997 SEC Coach of Year after leading the Gamecocks to both the regular season conference championship and the conference tournament championship. The team experienced its finest season in school history, winning 63 games and advancing to the NCAA College World Series. Coach Compton was also named the Southeast Regional Coach of the Year, and during the season she won her 700th career game and her 500th game at South Carolina.

Eddie Fogler, men's basketball, was named the 1997 SEC Coach of the year after leading Carolina to its first ever SEC championship. The Gamecocks finished the year with a 24-8 record, a 15-1 mark in the SEC, and a final regular season ranking of 6th by the Associated Press and 14th by USA Today. Coach Fogler also won his 200th game during the 1996-97 season.

Kim Hudson, volleyball, was named SEC Coach of the Year after leading the Gamecocks to their highest finish ever in the SEC (11-3) and a 21-8 overall record. Her team advanced to the second round of the NCAA Championship tournament, and she won her 100th game at Carolina during the course of the season.

Curtis Frye, track and field, was out of town and could not attend the meeting, but Coach Frye was named the United States Olympic Committee and the United States Track and Field National Coach of the Year. Coach Frye led Carolina to top 10 finishes at both the Women's NCAA Indoors and NCAA Outdoors Championships. He was recently selected to serve on the staff of the 1999 World Championship Games.

The coaches received the applause of those present.

IV. Report of the President

Dr. Palms said it was an exciting day for the University of South Carolina. Whenever commencement takes place, it is a time to take stock of what the University was really about. Since Dr. Palms arrived in 1991, the University had graduated 50,000 students. Today, another 2,500 would be graduated from all of the University's campuses: 89 doctoral candidates, 575 masters candidates, 21 law candidates, 2 medical candidates, 1,581 bachelor candidates, and 242 associate candidates. In addition, honorary degrees would be awarded to three exceptional individuals: German Finance Minister Theodor Waigel, ballet artist Edward Villella, and musician Charles Wadsworth.

Communications were excellent with the key leadership of the Legislature and the Governor. Dr. Palms said he was pleased with the attention that higher education was getting in South Carolina. The Commission on Higher Education was at work on the performance indicators for performance funding. Dr. Alexander was working on those same issues in his role as President of the Council of Presidents.

The National Advocacy Center would open in the spring of 1998. It should focus nationwide attention on the University. Excellent progress was being made on searches for deans; the University was looking for very outstanding individuals to head its colleges. Student recruitment was well under way, with the hope that the University would be as successful as it was last year in terms of the number of applicants and the quality of the student body. Admissions standards were increased for the coming year, so it would be a challenge to attract the number of students who meet the entrance requirements.

The official kickoff for the Bicentennial Campaign would be held April 30, 1998. Every day there were activities involved with that campaign and progress continued to be very encouraging. Charles Phlegar had provided excellent leadership to the campaign, and there was every confidence that it would be a success.

Plans continue for the celebration of the University's 200th Anniversary in the year 2001.

The University had an opportunity to comment on the Governor's landmark incentive for education, the Life Scholarship Program. USC was pleased with the B average and 1,000 SAT requirements, but had spoken in favor of a higher SAT requirement. Assurances were given that the program would phase in an SAT requirement of 1,100, probably over a three year period. USC was also in support of the $1,000 scholarships for students going to the technical schools. Every effort would be made to see that the requirements did not lead to grade inflation at the University of South Carolina.

V. Other Matters: Chairman Hubbard reminded the Board of the planning retreat to be held in Charleston on February 19 through 21. It would be a joint event with the Board of Trustees, the Educational Foundation, The Development Foundation, and the Business Partnership Foundation.

Chairman Hubbard thanked the Board members for their attendance on this day and for their efforts throughout what had been a very successful year for the University.

There being no further matters of business for the Board, Chairman Hubbard declared the meeting adjourned at 11:15 a.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Thomas L. Stepp

Secretary