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 Buildings and Grounds Committee of the University of South Carolina Board of Trustees met on Friday, August 8, 2003, at 2:00 p.m. in the Board Room of the Carolina Plaza.

Members present were: Mr. Miles Loadholt, Chairman; Mr. James Bradley; Mr. Mark W. Buyck, Jr.; Mr. Samuel R. Foster, II; Mrs. Helen C. Harvey; Mr. William C. Hubbard; Mr. Toney J. Lister; Mr. Robert N. McLellan; Mr. Mack I. Whittle, Jr., Board Chairman; and Mr. Herbert C. Adams, Board Vice Chairman. Other Trustees present were: Dr. C. Edward Floyd; Mr. James A. Shufford, III; Mr. M. Wayne Staton; Mr. Eugene P. Warr, Jr.; and Mr. Othniel H. Wienges, Jr.

Others present were: President Andrew A. Sorensen; Secretary Thomas L. Stepp; Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs and Provost Jerome D. Odom; Vice President and Chief Financial Officer Richard W. Kelly; Vice President and Chief Information Officer William F. Hogue; Vice President for University Advancement T.W. Hudson Akin; Vice President for Human Resources Jane M. Jameson; Vice President for Student Affairs Dennis A. Pruitt; General Counsel Walter (Terry) H. Parham; Vice Provost and Executive Dean for Regional Campuses and Continuing Education Chris P. Plyer; Chancellor of USC Aiken Thomas L. Hallman; Chancellor of USC Beaufort Jane T. Upshaw; Chancellor of USC Spartanburg John C. Stockwell; Dean of USC Lancaster John Catalano; University Architect and Director of Facilities Planning and Construction Charles G. Jeffcoat; Director for Planning Services, Facilities Planning and Construction, Donna Collins; Assistant to the Vice President for the Office of Business and Finance Ken Corbett; Associate Chancellor for Construction Planning and Services, USC Beaufort, James E. Bass; Director of Student Life, Division of Student Affairs, Jerry T. Brewer; Director of Internal Audit Alton McCoy; University Legislative Liaison John D. Gregory; wife of Trustee Toney Lister, Cynthia Lister; Director of the Office of Public Affairs Russell McKinney, Jr.; and members of the media.

Chairman Loadholt welcomed everyone and invited Board members to introduce themselves. Mr. McKinney introduced members of the media who were in attendance.

Chairman Loadholt stated that the agenda had been posted and the press had been notified as required by the Freedom of Information Act; the agenda and supporting materials had been circulated to Committee members; and a quorum was present to conduct business.

1. PROJECT INCREASES:

   1. Sumwalt College NanoCenter Renovation Project: Mr. Jeffcoat reported that the Sumwalt College NanoCenter Renovation project required a budget increase. The Nano Science Center renovations located on the first floor of the Sumwalt building had been completed. The original plan called for leaving the laboratories as shelve space. The budget for the existing project had been increased $145,000 to fund costs associated with completing one of the eight laboratory spaces which will be a prototype. The project increase had been funded with departmental appropriated state funds and had resulted in a total project budget of $1,645,000.

      This report was received as information.

   2. Preston Green Development: Mr. Jeffcoat reported that the Preston Green Development project was under construction; however, rain had caused tremendous delays. The budget for the existing project had increased $100,000 due to unanticipated costs. These costs included the construction bid, additional asbestos abatement, replacement of storm drainage and utility relocation. The total project budget was currently $1,100,000. The additional $100,000 had been funded from the Asbestos Trust Fund and had resulted in a total budget of $1,100,000 funded with $515,413.87 in Institutional Capital Project Funds (ICPF), $300,000 in Asbestos Trust Funds, and $284,586.13 in Auxiliary Funds.

      This report was received as information.

2. USC Beaufort New River Campus Development Project Update: Chancellor Upshaw gave an update of the USC Beaufort New River Campus Project. She introduced Ed Bass, Associate Chancellor for Construction Planning and Services at USC Beaufort, and stated that he would be reporting on the project scheduling. Dr. Upshaw displayed architectural drawings of one of the buildings which would be constructed on the 80 acres of land donated to USC Beaufort by Union Camp in 1994. This property, located on Hwy 278 (a connector to Interstate 95) and adjacent on one side to Sun City and Hilton Head, was one of the fastest growing regions in South Carolina. In anticipation of the new growth in the region and on the advice of President Sorensen, the planning stages of the project had been changed to include the addition of a second floor to the building. Mr. Bass indicated that the donors of the land had reserved the right to harvest two-thirds of the trees on the acreage; harvesting had begun on March 2 and access roads had been built.

   On September 1, 2002, an engineering study had been conducted and it was determined that central chilled water would be the most efficient way to serve the campus. Maintenance would house the chillers and bids for the maintenance facility were held on May 15.

   In spite of bad weather, the ground breaking ceremony for the Science and Technology building project was held on July 1. There had been good attendance and much enthusiasm from the community. Dr. Upshaw stated that the county had been very involved in the building of this project; USC Beaufort had been involved with the overall design, development and programming of the New River Campus. The Science and Technology building consisted of two levels and the second floor consisted of opened shelves' space for future expansion.

   On behalf of the Board, Mrs. Harvey commended Dr. Upshaw and her staff for their efforts and outstanding work in accomplishing the accreditation of USC Beaufort as a four-year institution.

3. USC Aiken Convocation Center (Budget Increase): Mr. Jeffcoat reported that USC Aiken had requested to increase the project budget for the Convocation Center by $11.2 million. Dr. Hallman had persuaded the county to increase its portion of the project from $5 million to $7 million; therefore, the project would receive $7 million from county funds and $4.2 million from Institutional Bonds. This change in funding had resulted because of the inability to get state support. If approved, the total project budget would be $20,250,000 funded with $6 million in capital improvement bonds; $5,420,000 in Institutional Bonds; $1 million in private funds; $400,000 in Institutional Capital Projects Funds; and $7,430,000 in county funds. The project had been originally approved with a budget of $9,050,000 which included the construction of a new baseball stadium, site improvements and some site work for the Convocation Center. The baseball stadium had been completed and would be dedicated soon. The building would encompass approximately 130,000 gross square feet with a 4,000 seat auditorium as well as space for athletics (i.e. offices, locker rooms, training rooms and E&G space to include classrooms, study rooms, conference rooms, rooms for community events) and appropriately 1,000 parking spaces.

   Mr. Bradley moved to increase the budget for this project by $11.2 million funded with $7 million in county funds and $4.2 million in Institution Bonds. This increase would result in a total project budget of $20,250,000 funded with $6 million in Capital Improvement Bonds; $5,420,000 in Institution Bonds; $1 million in Private Funds; $400,000 in Institutional Capital Projects Funds (ICPF); and $7,430,000 in County Funds. Mr. Foster seconded the motion. A vote was taken, and the motion carried.

Chairman Loadholt commented that the majority of the Board had toured the newly renovated Russell House earlier today. He commended everyone who had been involved in this project and stated that the renovations were a wonderful improvement to the campus. Chairman Loadholt encouraged everyone to tour the facility.

Since there were no other matters to come before the Committee, Chairman Loadholt declared the meeting adjourned at 2:20 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,
Thomas L. Stepp
Secretary