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 Thursday, February 12, 1998, at 1:00 p.m. in the Ballroom of the Russell House.
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. Arthur S. Bahnmuller; Mr. Donald A. Bailey; Mr. James Bradley; Mr. Samuel R. Foster, II; Mr. William M. Gregg, 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. Mr. Mark W. Buyck, Jr., and Dr. Barbara S. Nielsen were absent. Faculty representative Professor Eldon D. Wedlock and student representative Mr. Jamel Franklin were also present.
Others present were: President John M. Palms; Secretary Thomas L. Stepp; 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; Associate Provost and Dean of the Graduate School, Marcia G. Welsh; Vice Provost and Executive Dean, Regional Campuses and Continuing Education John J. Duffy; Vice Provost and Dean for Libraries and Information Systems George D. Terry; Dean, USC Beaufort, Chris Plyler; Dean, USC Salkehatchie, Carl Clayton; Dean, USC Union, James W. Edwards; Dean, USC Sumter, C. Leslie Carpenter; Dean, School of Pharmacy, Farid Sadik; Dean, College of Journalism and Mass Communications, Judy VanSlyke Turk; Dean, College of Engineering, Craig A. Rogers; Interim Dean, School of Public Health, Dianne S. Ward; Interim Dean, College of Education, Harvey A. Allen; Professor, School of Music, Manuel Alvarez; Director of Business Affairs Richard D. Wertz; Director, Department of Internal Audit, Alton McCoy; Director, Law Enforcement and Safety, Carl B. Stokes; Director of Facilities Management and University Architect Charles G. Jeffcoat; Assistant Director for Planning Services, Facilities Management, Donna Collins; Chief Executive Assistant to the President J. Lyles Glenn; Assistant Professor, College of Journalism and Mass Communications, Sonya Forte Duhe; Chaplain of the Orthodox Christian Fellowship, Father Aris Metrakos; Director of Public Affairs Russell McKinney; representative from University Publications Chris Horn; representative from Media Relations Jason Snyder; representatives from the USC Child Development Center; and representatives from the media.
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. Chairman Hubbard then invited Father Aris Metrakos to deliver the invocation. Father Metrakos is chaplain of the Orthodox Christian Fellowship on campus and a priest at Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church in Columbia.
Chairman Hubbard welcomed everyone to the meeting and invited those seated at the table to introduce themselves. Jason Snyder introduced the representatives from the media.
Chairman Hubbard welcomed the guests who had an interest in the USC Child Development Center. He assured them that the Board of Trustees was committed to the children who were participants in that program. The Board was looking at all of the options to determine how the good work of the Center could best be preserved, as well as exploring other options to enhance the programs that were under way there. Chairman Hubbard then invited Dr. Palms to make a statement on this issue.
Dr. Palms said that he supported what the Chairman had said. Dr. Palms added that this was a complex issue; it was also a national issue. The Child Development Center provided child care for approximately 90 students. With about 5,000 employees on the Columbia Campus, there was a greater need for additional child care. The University was also trying to run a first class research academic program at the Center through the Early Childhood Department in the College of Education. Other areas of consideration were the facilities and the financial aspects. Tuition money could not be used to supplement the program. The University was looking toward partnerships with other agencies which had a need for child care. Dr. Palms stated that he was confident the University's commitment to this would be fruitful, and a way would be found to provide adequate, affordable, and credible child care.
Chairman Hubbard stated that there were personnel matters with respect to honorary faculty titles, promotion and tenure, honorary degree candidates, and an appointment to the Development Foundation Board appropriate for Executive Session. He called for a motion to enter Executive Session. Mr. Mungo so moved, and Dr. Floyd 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, Dr. Duffy, Mr. Glenn, Mr. McKinney, Ms. Medich, and Ms. Hyatt.
Executive Session
PERSONNEL MATTERS
Return to Open Session
I. Approval of Minutes: The following four sets of minutes had been circulated by mail to the Board for review and were presented for approval:
A. Board of Trustees, December 15, 1997
B. Ad Hoc Committee on Advancement, January 22, 1998
C. Intercollegiate Activities Committee, January 22, 1998
D. Buildings and Grounds Committee, January 22, 1998
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 January 22, 1998. Associate Athletics Director John Moore provided the Committee with information regarding plans to renovate and expand the existing spring sports building. It would become the Olympic Sports Building Complex and would include locker and shower rooms for most of the Olympic sports, an equipment room, a team laundry, a visiting team locker room, a strength and conditioning area, a sports medicine training room, and included the possibility for administrative offices. A state project, funded with Athletics operating funds, was being established to allow planning to proceed through the design/development phase. When more accurate costs had been determined and all funds had been identified and were available, the project would be brought to the Board for approval. The proposed project was on the list of Bicentennial Campaign projects for which donated funds would be sought.
Mr. Mungo had requested that the Athletics Department compile a complete list of its facilities with the yearly maintenance cost for each of those facilities. He suggested that the maintenance figures be included in the Athletics Department's annual budget.
Dr. Moore reviewed the national rankings of some of the University's athletics teams. At the time of the meeting, men's basketball was ranked from 14th to 17th, depending on the poll; men's golf was ranked 9th in preseason; baseball was ranked 15th in preseason; and men's and women's tennis, women's softball, and both track teams were likely to be ranked in the top 25 in preseason.
There was discussion of the feasibility of the University's establishing an athletics hall of fame or museum. Various suggestions were made by members of the Committee. Mr. Bailey announced that Dr. Palms and Dr. McGee had agreed to fund a study to look into the feasibility of proceeding with such a project.
B. Buildings and Grounds Committee
(The Honorable James Bradley, reporting)
The Buildings and Grounds Committee met on January 22 and heard several reports. A summary of those projects follows:
- The Flynn Hall project was on schedule and should be completed by May 15, 1998. Renovations to McMaster were on schedule for completion by August 2, 1998. The Graduate Science Research Center was slightly behind schedule due to heavy rains, but completion was still expected by February 28, 1999; the mock-up panel of an exterior wall was located the corner of Devine and Sumter Streets and was available for viewing.
- The Preston Green project would develop the area behind Rutledge Chapel, the President's House, and Legare and Pinckney College into a green space, similar in quality to the Horseshoe. The Board approved this project in 1994 with a budget of $1 million, and a landscape architect would be selected in the near future so that construction could begin in the summer of 1999.
- The Architectural Design Review Committee reviewed and approved the design of the South Campus Housing--East Quadrangle in December 1997. The majority of the living quarters for the 440 students would be the same as those in Phase I. Ten percent of the beds would be located in two bedroom units. Student access during moving days, as well as for other services, was still being developed. The Committee was very pleased with the exterior design.
- The administration would continue to pursue the possibility of exchanging property with the Naval Reserve, which was amendable to the idea.
- The Athletics Department established a project to evaluate renovations and construction for the Olympic Sports Building. The interior would be renovated and the facility enlarged to house medical training facilities, visiting team locker rooms, men's and women's Olympic sports programs, and possibly some sports administrative offices. The project would be funded largely from private sources.
- The U.S. Army Corp of Engineers volunteered, if the city would sponsor a proposal, to study Rocky Creek from Five Points to the river. If approved, the federal government could bring up to $5 million per fiscal year for construction to improve the area.
The following Annual Permanent Improvement Plan (APIP) projects were recommended by the Committee to the Board for approval as required by the State Budget and Control Board:
1. South Caroliniana Library, Increase Project: It was requested to add $230,000 to the existing South Caroliniana Library project and fund the increase with Renovation Reserve Funds. The current budget of $245,000 was established and approved in 1997. The total repairs needed for the library were estimated to exceed $700,000, but sources of funds for the remaining portion continued to be pursued.
On behalf of the Buildings and Grounds Committee, Mr. Bradley moved to increase the existing South Caroliniana Library project by $230,000 to a total budget of $475,000 to be funded with Renovation Reserve Funds. Mr. Gregg seconded the motion. The vote was taken, and the motion carried.
2. Nursing Auditorium Classroom Enhancements: This was a continuation of the classroom enhancements that had been ongoing since 1994. The project would provide new finishes, refurbishment of the existing seating, installation of audio-visual equipment, and modifications to the mechanical and electrical systems.
On behalf of the Buildings and Grounds Committee, Mr. Bradley moved approval of the Nursing Auditorium Classroom Enhancements, as presented, with a total budget of $295,000 to be funded with Institutional Capital Project Funds. Mr. Bailey seconded the motion. The vote was taken, and the motion carried.
3. Library Quadrangle Project: This would develop a landscaped quadrangle from Longstreet Theatre to Russell House. Current parking would be eliminated, but the space would serve as an active, outdoor gathering space for student events.
On behalf of the Buildings and Grounds Committee, Mr. Bradley moved approval of the development of the new landscaped quadrangle, as presented, with a total budget of $1 million to be funded with Institutional Bond Funds with the proviso that the administration report to the Buildings and Grounds Committee at its next meeting on plans to replace the 142 parking places. Dr. Floyd seconded the motion. The vote was taken, and the motion carried.
4. Sumter Street Mall: This would create a gateway to the center of campus via the intersection of Blossom and Sumter Streets and divide Sumter Street by a narrow greenway in the median. Traffic would be routed to either side of Longstreet Theatre via two one-way roads as it was many years ago. Sidewalks and landscaping would also be included.
On behalf of the Buildings and Grounds Committee, Mr. Bradley moved approval of the development of the Sumter Street Mall, as presented, with a total budget of $900,000 to be funded with Institutional Bonds. Mr. Gregg seconded the motion. The vote was taken, and the motion carried.
5. McBryde Quadrangle Renovations: This project would improve the condition of the men's quadrangle. The work would include replacing metal windows and doors at the stairways and the ground floor lounges.
On behalf of the Buildings and Grounds Committee, Mr. Bradley moved approval of the renovations of McBryde Quadrangle, as presented, with a total budget of $500,000 to be funded with Housing Funds. Mr. Lister seconded the motion. The vote was taken, and the motion carried.
6. Roost Finish Upgrades: This Housing project would upgrade interior finishes of the Roost Dormitory by painting all student rooms, corridors, and public areas, and replacing worn carpet.
On behalf of the Buildings and Grounds Committee, Mr. Bradley moved approval of the upgrades to the interior of the Roost Dormitory, as presented, with a total budget of $250,000 to be funded with Housing Funds. Mr. Bailey seconded the motion. The vote was taken, and the motion carried.
7. Medical School Library Renovation: This project would renovate the Medical School Library and expand it to the third floor. The entrance would be reoriented and placed in the mainstream of Medical School pedestrian traffic.
On behalf of the Buildings and Grounds Committee, Mr. Bradley moved approval of the renovation of the Medical School Library, as presented, with a total budget of $700,000 to be funded with $150,000 from Institutional Capital Project Funds (ICPF) and $550,000 from private sources. Mr. Miller seconded the motion. The vote was taken, and the motion carried.
C. Academic Affairs and Faculty Liaison Committee
(The Honorable Helen C. Harvey, Chairperson)
1. Honorary Faculty Titles: The following honorary faculty titles had received all academic and administrative approvals and were presented, without objection, to the Academic Affairs and Faculty Liaison Committee and to this Board earlier this day.
The following professors would receive the title Distinguished Professor during their final year of service; upon their retirement on June 30, 1998, that title would change to Distinguished Professor Emeritus:
a) Professor James G. Hilton, College of Business Administration; and
b) Professor John H. Spurgeon, Department of Physical Education, College of Education.
On behalf of the Academic Affairs and Faculty Liaison Committee, Mrs. Harvey moved approval of the requested honorary faculty titles. Mr. Staton seconded the motion. The vote was taken, and the motion carried.
2. Promotion and Tenure: The following recommendation for promotion and the award of tenure had received all academic and administrative approvals and was presented, without objection, to the Academic Affairs and Faculty Liaison Committee and to this Board earlier this day. Dr. Maribeth Schlictman Coller, School of Accounting, College of Business Administration, would be promoted to the rank of Associate Professor and awarded tenure.
On behalf of the Committee, Mrs. Harvey moved approval of Dr. Coller's promotion and the award of tenure. Mr. Osborne seconded the motion. The vote was taken, and the motion carried.
3. USC Aiken Mission Statement: The text of the revised USC Aiken Mission Statement had received all appropriate academic and administrative approvals and was approved by the Academic Affairs and Faculty Liaison Committee. The text of the revised USC Aiken Mission Statement follows, with changes underlined:
The University of South Carolina Aiken is a public senior institution of moderate size (2500 to 5000) which endeavors to prepare students with the knowledge and skills necessary for success in a rapidly changing society and evolving global economy. Attracting a racially and culturally diverse student body of varying ages and experiences, USCA draws its population primarily from the Savannah River Region and other portions of South Carolina, other states, and foreign countries. USCA offers baccalaureate degrees as well as the associate degree in Nursing, completion baccalaureate degrees at USC Regional Campuses, and masters degrees in selected programs designed to meet regional needs.
As an institution of higher learning, USCA seeks to provide excellence in teaching as well as in scholarly research, creative pursuits, and service to the communities of the region it serves. To this end, the university seeks the enlargement of student and faculty knowledge through a wide range of experiences in the liberal arts and sciences and in the professional programs of business, education and nursing. As an academic community dedicated to lifelong learning, USCA serves the region by fostering cultural appreciation and by making available its resources, including its programs, services, and the expertise of its faculty, staff, and students. Thus, USCA encourages:
- Thinking critically and analytically, questioning, searching out concepts;
- Communicating effectively using verbal, numerical, notational, and other symbolic systems;
- Appreciating cross-cultural perspectives;
- Exploring values openly and critically;
- Finding and examining relationships among disciplines, concepts, and areas of study;
- Developing depth of knowledge within chosen fields of interest.
In fulfilling its role as an institution for higher learning, the University of South Carolina Aiken is building a community of active scholars, artists, professionals, and intellectuals engaged in broadly-based educational experiences necessary for fostering an enlightened society.
On behalf of the Committee, Mrs. Harvey moved approval of the Revised USC Aiken Mission Statement. Mr. Loadholt seconded the motion. The vote was taken, and the motion carried.
4. Name Change for College of Applied Professional Sciences: The College of Applied Professional Sciences had requested that its name be officially changed to the College of Applied Professions. The request had received all appropriate academic and administrative approvals and was approved by the Academic Affairs and Faculty Liaison Committee.
On behalf of the Committee, Mrs. Harvey moved approval of the requested name change to College of Applied Professions. Mr. Mungo seconded the motion. The vote was taken, and the motion carried.
D. Executive Committee
(The Honorable William C. Hubbard, reporting)
1. Report of the Meeting of February 12, 1998: At its meeting earlier this day, the Executive Committee approved the following contracts valued in excess of $250,000:
a) a site license for Columbia Campus Internet access to the Web of Science;
b) an extension of an existing Ph.D. program of the University of South Carolina for Taiwan health care professionals; and
c) an affiliation agreement with Springs Memorial Hospital to establish a Rural Health Care Education Center in the community of Kershaw in Lancaster County, South Carolina.
2. President's Appointment to the Development Foundation Board: Dr. Palms had requested approval for his appointment of Mr. Thomas Suggs to the USC Development Foundation Board for a six year term. The request was presented in Executive Session, without objection, to both the Executive Committee and this Board.
Mr. Bailey moved approval of Dr. Palms' appointment of Mr. Thomas Suggs to the USC Development Foundation Board for a six year term. Mr. Foster seconded the motion. The vote was taken, and the motion carried.
E. Ad Hoc Committee on Advancement
(The Honorable Mack I. Whittle, Jr., reporting)
1. Bicentennial Campaign: The Ad Hoc Committee on Advancement met on January 22, 1998. The Committee heard a report on the status of the Bicentennial Campaign.
The goal for the fiscal year had been set at $65 million; $21.5 million of that was reached from July through December 1997 -- the most during any six month period. As of December 1997, major gift officers had closed 87 gifts for $6.3 million. From July 1995 through December 1997, $101.5 million had been raised. That amount was on schedule for the new goal of $300 million. In early discussions of the Campaign, a number of people had thought that a preliminary goal of $200 million was too high. Mr. Whittle thanked Mr. Phlegar for moving the Campaign forward.
The Family Fund, donations from faculty and staff, continued to be an outstanding program. This year a five-year campaign was started. The average gift was $1,000. A goal of $3 million was set and had been reached. That goal was re-evaluated and increased to $4 million.
Gifts to the Campaign, in millions, included $60.8 in cash; $8.4 in gifts-in-kind; $7.5 in private grants; $259 in planned gifts (face value); $16.9 in pledges; and $8 in planned gifts (present value).
The Campaign focus for the next three months would be the top 50 Principal Gifts. Larry Wilson from PMSC agreed to co-chair the group heading Leadership Gifts. The Horseshoe Society was established to recognize donations of $100,000 and above; charter members would be introduced at a luncheon on April 30. Board members would be invited to attend that luncheon as well as the kickoff celebration, which would be held on the evening of the same date in the Koger Center.
Last year, it had cost 7.3 cents to raise each dollar, but this year the cost would probably be only two or three cents. It was hoped that the final cost of the Campaign would average between 11 and 14 cents. Public institutions average 16 cents per dollar raised.
2. Report on Research: The Committee also received a report from Marsha Torr of the Division of Research. The University's goal was to increase federal research funding because nationally competitive funding was the basis for Carnegie I membership. It was also used by the American Association of Universities (AAU) to review their peers.
The National Science Foundation (NSF) published its rankings and Carolina had moved nine places from 92nd to 83rd. That reflected a funding increase from $44 million to $51 million. The actual year represented was 1995-96. The amount for 1996-97 would not be announced until January 1999, but Dr. Torr reported that there had been a growth of approximately 15 percent.
Some AAU institutions had only $3 million in federal funding, but they were grandfathered in when the organization was founded. The current leader was Johns Hopkins University with more than $700 million, followed by the University of Washington and the University of Michigan, both with close to $400 million.
III. Report of the President
Dr. Palms said he had been traveling around the country meeting prospective donors and soliciting gifts to the Bicentennial Campaign. It was impressive to be able to tell prospective donors of the generosity of Carolina's faculty and staff through the Family Fund. The Governor had put $800,000 in his budget request to match the yield of new endowment raised by the University within the state, although there was a cap on the funds which could be provided to USC and Clemson for this purpose. This was a sign that the state wanted to engage in a partnership with private donors for higher education. Members of the South Carolina General Assembly should be encouraged to keep those funds in the budget.
Dr. Palms reported that a great deal of time was spent on the core mission of the University, which is academics. At this time of year the deans, department chairpersons, and the Provost were heavily engaged in reading tenure and promotion files. Those which had already been recommended to Dr. Palms had outstanding records of commitment to the life of the mind, the life of teaching, and the life of research in a major university.
Dr. Yakir Aharonov had received the Cresson Medal from the Franklin Institute about five years ago. Several weeks ago Dr. Aharonov was named co-recipient of the Wolf Prize in Physics, one of the highest honors given to a physicist. The Wolf Foundation recognizes achievements in the fields of physics, chemistry, medicine, agriculture, mathematics, and the arts.
This year USC students won four of the five Rotary International Ambassador Scholarships in the region. This raised to 24 the number of students receiving that award in the last five years. This was a great a credit to the faculty and the Office of Fellowships and Scholarships led by Novella Beskid. It had just been learned that the University had a Truman finalist. USC was currently 45th in the nation in the number of National Merit Scholars in the freshman class; two years ago the University was not even on the list of the top 100.
Recently the National Carolina Scholars candidates were on campus; eleven of the finalists were offered $5,000 scholarships. These students had applied to the top institutions in the nation.
At USC Aiken the Ruth Patrick Science Center will have a 300,000 square foot addition and construction would begin on a 24,000 square foot facility for the School of Nursing. At USC Spartanburg the Chamber of Commerce was working with a special committee to have the area around the campus become a site where more white-collar high-paying corporations could be placed. Funding had been received to redo the entrance to campus. At USC Lancaster the architect had been selected for the Medford Library. At USC Beaufort the design phase was continuing for the New River site. At USC Salkehatchie a five year development plan was nearing its goal, having reached $750,000 in a year's time. At USC Union an architect had been chosen for the Truluck Activities Center, and the campus had recently received two large contributions to their endowment scholarship, including $25,000 from the Jaycees. The non-Columbia campuses are extremely important to their local communities for their economic and cultural value. Professor A. Joseph Gagne, Jr., from USC Sumter had received one of the two Governor's Professor of the Year awards.
During the beginning of Religious Emphasis Week an interfaith prayer breakfast was held at the University. Representatives from different faiths gave testimony about how their spiritual life affected their overall lives. It was very impressive, hosted by Chairman Hubbard, and very well attended by faculty, staff, and students. Dr. Palms said recognition of the spiritual life was just as appropriate in a public institution as it was anywhere else.
In the previous month there had been an outstanding celebration of Martin Luther King, Jr., Day. Beginning in 1999, the University would suspend classes for an "MLK Service Day." It would be a day for students to affirm their commitment to service. Dr. Palms acknowledged the work of student body president Jamel Franklin toward establishing "MLK Service Day."
A five year review process was in effect for the deans on campus. Reviews had just been completed for the deans of Law, Journalism and Mass Communications, Nursing, and Libraries and Information Systems.
Ken and Margaret Perkins had agreed to become the new principals of Preston Residential College. He is a professor in the History Department, and she teaches in the English Program for Internationals.
Dr. Palms announced that Dr. Farid Sadik had been appointed Dean of the College of Pharmacy after serving as Interim Dean for some time. Dr. Manuel Alvarez, a professor in the School of Music, would be serving as Interim Dean of the School of Music effective July 1, 1998. Deans searches were continuing in Science and Math, Education, Liberal Arts, and Public Health.
IV. Report from the College of Journalism and Mass Communications
Dr. Judy VanSlyke Turk reported that the College of Journalism and Mass Communications was one of one hundred and five professional journalism programs that was nationally accredited. It is estimated that there were up to 500 academic units around the country that offered journalism and mass communications instruction. The College of Journalism and Mass Communications was the only such program in South Carolina offering graduate degrees. Masters degrees had been offered since the late 1950s, and in 1994 a doctoral program was begun. Winthrop, Francis Marion, USC Spartanburg, and USC Aiken offered courses and, in some cases, degree programs in journalism, but none offered the array of specializations found at USC Columbia. These included print journalism, broadcast journalism, advertising, and public relations. There were 900 undergraduate and 100 graduate students, with a faculty of 27. All full time faculty had professional experience in addition to their academic credentials, and about two thirds had a Ph.D. degree. Approximately 80 percent of the College's graduates were placed in media or mass communications jobs within a few months of their graduation. Another five to ten percent attend graduate school.
Students compete successfully for scholarships and internships, and they win awards in regional and national competitions for individual and team projects and professional works. Some faculty were developing national and international reputations for their research and professional service. Faculty were also recognized as outstanding teachers on campus and by national academic organizations. They were regarded as innovative leaders in professional education by the professional organizations for their disciplines.
A video highlighting information about the College of Journalism and Mass Communications and its alumni was played. Dr. Turk introduced faculty member Sonya Duhe, who had prepared the video. Dr. Turk reported that the College was celebrating its 75th anniversary. August Kohn, a supporter of journalism education was elected to the Board of Trustees in 1900. Due to his influence, the English Department began offering composition classes taught by journalists. In 1915 the first journalism course was taught, still in the English Department. In 1922 USC President William David Melton proposed a Journalism School to the Board, and it was quickly approved. W. W. Ball was named first dean in 1923, and the first classes were held in the School of Journalism on September 19, 1923. The School's first graduate, Charles Braxton Williams, is retired and living in Charleston. In 1988, the name was changed to the College of Journalism and Mass Communications.
The 75th anniversary was being celebrated with a distinguished professionals lecture series that would include Jane Pauley and Jim Hoagland; a series of birthday parties around the state, in New York, Atlanta, and Washington for alumni and friends; and a gala dinner and induction of a Diamond Circle of 75 media luminaries who have helped shape media and mass communications in South Carolina.
Dr. Turk said the College was looking forward to its move to Petigru College in the center of campus. [A copy of materials distributed about the College is maintained in the permanent meeting file held by the Board Office.]
V. Report from the Chairman
Chairman Hubbard reminded the Board members of the retreat to be held the next weekend in Charleston. It promised to be a very exciting time for the University as the Business Partnership Foundation, the Educational Foundation, the Development Foundation, and the Board of Trustees joined together for the retreat. The introductory session was to be an address on education by Governor Beasley; on Friday there would be a panel discussion on the future of higher education in South Carolina with Dr. Palms, Dr. James Edwards, and the new president of The Citadel, General Grinalds. On Friday afternoon there would be remarks from Charleston Mayor Joseph Riley, as well as a keynote presentation to the Charleston community by Dr. Palms. On Saturday morning there would be a round-table discussion by business leaders from the Low Country including Bill Bethea, a former member of the USC Board of Trustees and Chairman of the South Carolina Ports Authority; Frank Brumley, President of the Brumley Company; Bill Finn, President and Chief Executive Officer of Asten, Inc.; and Charlie Way, who was chairing the Bicentennial Campaign and is President of the Beach Company and affiliated companies. Reports would also be received from members of the University's academic community.
Chairman Hubbard said this would be a great time for fellowship and collegiality, while giving everyone a vision of the direction of the University. It would build on the theme developed last year for these retreats, "USC and SC: Partners in Progress." Chairman Hubbard encouraged all the members of the Board to attend. He thanked Mr. Stepp and Dr. VanHuss for their excellent work in handling the logistics and planning for the retreat, and also Mr. Bailey for his assistance in the Charleston community with the planning efforts.
VI. Other Matters: Presentation of Certificate to Student Body President: Jamel Franklin was invited to the podium. Mr. Stepp read the certificate:
University of South Carolina
Presented to
Jamel Ramon Franklin
in appreciation
for distinguished service rendered
in the cause of higher education
in South Carolina
and to the University of South Carolina
as the student representative to the Board of Trustees
from March 1997 to February 1998
Presented this 12th day of February 1998
Mr. Hubbard thanked Mr. Franklin for his outstanding service. Mr. Franklin thanked the Board for the certificate. He said it had been an honor and a privilege to serve the University of South Carolina this past year, as well as previous years. He would take with him and never forget the experiences he had through Student Government with the Board of Trustees and other members of the Carolina community. Mr. Franklin said the University was on the way up; he only saw positive things coming from the academic side and in terms of student leadership. He thanked the Board members for their work and their service to the students of the University. It had been an honor and a privilege to work with the Trustees.
Chairman Hubbard congratulated Mr. Franklin for meeting most of the goals he set out at the beginning of his term.
There being no further business to come before the Board, Chairman Hubbard declared the meeting adjourned at 2:20 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Thomas L. Stepp
Secretary