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, November 8, 2002, at 2:35 p.m. in the Board Room of the Carolina Plaza.
Members present were: Mr. Miles Loadholt, Chairman; Mr. Samuel R. Foster, II; Mrs. Helen C. Harvey; Mr. Toney J. Lister; Mr. John S. Long; Mr. Robert N. McLellan; Mr. Mack I. Whittle, Jr., Board Chairman; and Mr. Herbert C. Adams, Board Vice Chairman. Members absent were: Mr. James Bradley; Dr. C. Edward Floyd; and Mr. William C. Hubbard. Other Trustees present were: Mr. James A. Shuford, III and Mr. Othniel H. Wienges, Jr.
Others present were: President Andrew A. Sorenson; Secretary Thomas L. Stepp; Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs and Provost Jerome D. Odom; Vice President for Information Technology and Chief Information Officer William F. Hogue; Vice President and Chief Financial Officer Richard W. Kelly; Vice President for Human Resources Jane M. Jameson; Vice President for Student and Alumni Services and Interim Vice President for Development Dennis A. Pruitt; General Counsel Walter (Terry) H. Parham; Vice Provost and Executive Dean for Regional Campuses and Continuing Education Chris P. Plyler; Director of the Department of Athletics Michael B. McGee; Director of Facilities Planning and Construction and University Architect Charles G. Jeffcoat; Director for Planning Services, Facilities Planning and Construction, Donna Collins; Director of Facility Services James D. Demarest; Project Director, Facilities Planning and Construction, Jim Robinson; Assistant to the Vice President for Business and Finance Ken Corbett; Director of Student Life, Division of Student and Alumni Services, Jerry T. Brewer; Senior Associate Athletics Director, Department of Athletics, John T. Moore; University Legislative Liaison John Gregory; Director of Periodicals, University Publications, Chris Horn; and Director of the Office of Public Affairs Russell McKinney.
Chairman Loadholt welcomed everyone and invited Committee members and others in attendance to introduce themselves. Mr. McKinney stated that there were no members of the media 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.
President Sorenson stated that he had contacted Governor-elect Mark Standford and other newly-elected state officials to offer the services of University faculty with expertise in the areas of economics, political science and management information sciences during the transition period.
Chairman Loadholt informed the Committee that Mr. Bradley's wife, Jane, had died the previous evening; memorial services will be held at 3:00 p.m. on Sunday afternoon in Lancaster, South Carolina.
Open Sesssion
The property had been acquired in August 2000 and a considerable amount of time had been devoted to designing the project renovations. The bid opening was scheduled for November 20, 2002. The project would include renovating the interior of the building, modifying the layout of space, installing new mechanical and electrical systems, upgrading the bathrooms to meet ADA standards, and replacing the roof and windows. The budget increase for the project was made in accordance with Board policy and had received administrative approval. The total budget for the existing project was $2,628,079.33.
Discussion ensued regarding the sources of funding for the increase. Mr. Jeffcoat explained that of the $52,079.33 increase, $52,000 would be funded with Appropriated State Funds and/or leftover funds from a completed project and $79.33 would be funded with Capital Improvement Bonds.
Chairman Loadholt stated that the report was received as information.
This particular project would fund the relocation of the student government offices from the first floor of the Russell House to the space previously occupied by the game room on the second floor. The relocation would provide additional space on the first floor for the renovation and expansion of two food service facilities, Pandini's and the Central Market.
The relocation of student mailboxes from the first floor to the lower level in the area known as "Carolina Mall," now referred to as the "Russell House Down Under," cleared the way for the creation of a new food service area which would be called the "Central Market" (a "grab and go" style facility with a convenience store). Pandini's, an Italian-style restaurant, would be located next to the Central Market.
Renovations would include reconfiguration of the second floor space, mechanical and electrical systems modifications, and new finishes throughout the suites. In addition, the project renovation would upgrade and consolidate existing administrative functions of student related programs in adjacent areas. The project will be funded with $100,000 in Food Service Auxiliary Funds and $165,000 in Student Services Funding for a total budget of $265,000.
Discussion ensued regarding sources of funding and the various renovation projects involving the Russell House. Mr. Kelly stated that there were four ongoing Russell House renovation projects.
Mr. Adams asked Mr. Jeffcoat to present a status report of the four Russell House renovation projects and to identify funding sources at the next scheduled Board of Trustees meeting. This information would provide a broader picture since the projects were being phased in during the next several years.
Mrs. Harvey moved to establish the Russell House project as presented. Mr. Lister seconded the motion. The vote was taken, and the motion carried.
With the assistance of Coach Holtz, the Athletics Department will conduct a campaign to raise the additional $2.75 million. It was emphasized that the project was contingent upon the successful collection of private funds.
Mrs. Harvey asked whether funds had to be "in hand" before beginning the project. Mr. Jeffcoat responded that the state required Architectural & Engineering projects (A&E) to stop at the conceptual stage of planning if funding was not available. Discussion ensued regarding the Athletics Department's needs for additional space and long range plans for the project.
Mr. Foster moved to establish a football training facility under the existing south end zone as described in the materials distributed for the meeting. Mr. Lister seconded the motion. The vote was taken, and the motion carried.
The Carolina Center was essentially completed other than finishing the landscaping, minor corrections, and a major clean-up. The sprinkler system, fire alarms, and heating and air-conditioning systems were in place and had been tested. The parking lots and street improvements were under construction. It was anticipated that the City of Columbia would conclude its portion of the work by November 15, 2002 rather than the initially scheduled date of December 1, 2002.
Mr. Jeffcoat explained that wheelchair patrons would access the disabled seating area via elevators to the upward deck and across the bridge. Code requirements mandated that one percent of seating in the building be accessible to the disabled.
Mr. Jeffcoat also shared pictures of the facility and stated that the suites would accommodate a total of 14-16 patrons. There were approximately 41 suites surrounding the seating bowl, of which only 15 had not been sold. All of the locker rooms were equipped with garnet lockers and opened to a training room with a whirlpool and doctor's examination room.
The approved budget for the Carolina Center was $55,940,000. Adjustment to the budget was needed to cover the costs associated with various items including sprinkler modifications required by the state engineer; additional fees for testing controls of all systems; armrest upgrades in the lower seating area; and kitchen upgrades as required by the Department of Health and Environmental Control.
The Athletics Department was requesting a project increase of $1.2 million. The funding breakdown for this increase was as follows: $525,000 - Sales and Services ($350,000 Action Sports Media and $175,000 Volume Services) and $675,000 from the Athletics Department ($500,000 Suite Leases and $175,000 Athletics Department Revenues). Therefore, the revised budget for the Carolina Center was $57,140,000(approximately four-percent increase since the initial project).
| The total budget of $57,140,000 was funded as follows: | |
|---|---|
| Athletics Revenue Bonds | 28,000,000 |
| State Capital Improvements Bonds | 7,500,000 |
| Accommodation Tax Revenue | 7,500,000 |
| Suite Lease | 6,700,000 |
| State Capital Reserve Funds | 2,500,000 |
| State Supplemental Funds | 2,500,000 |
| Sales and Services | 2,025,000 |
| City of Columbia | 240,000 |
| Athletics Department Revenue | 175,000 |
Further discussion ensued regarding parking and suite purchasing. Mr. Adams requested a final pro forma of the project.
Mr. Foster moved approval of a $1.2 million budget increase for the Carolina Center project as presented. Mr. Lister seconded the motion. The vote was taken, and the motion carried.
Chairman Loadholt called for a motion to change the name of the Strom Thurmond Fitness and Wellness Center to the Strom Thurmond Wellness and Fitness Center. Mr. Long moved approval of the name change as presented. Mrs. Harvey seconded. The vote was taken, and the motion carried.
Discussion ensued regarding the University's Master Plan. Mr. Adams stated that the Board had reviewed the Long Range Facility Master Plan in 1997 and had made amendments. He suggested that the administration present a progress report of the Master Plan during the upcoming spring retreat. Dr. Sorenson concurred that a review of the Master Plan was warranted in order to ascertain whether the projected development of various pieces of property was aligning appropriately with the overall academic mission of the University.
At this time, Chairman Loadholt encouraged Committee members to attend the Student Trustee Reception scheduled at 3:30 p.m. There were no other matters to come before the Committee, and Chairman Loadholt declared the meeting adjourned at 3:30 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Thomas L. Stepp
Secretary