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 Executive Committee of the University of South Carolina Board of Trustees met on Thursday, February 10, 2000, at 11:45 a.m. in Room 107-C Osborne Administration Building.

Members present were: Mr. William C. Hubbard, Chairman; Mr. James Bradley; Mr. Michael J. Mungo; and Mr. Mack I. Whittle, Jr., Vice Chairman. Members absent were: Dr. C. Edward C. Floyd and Mr. Samuel R. Foster, II. Other Board members present were: Mrs. Helen C. Harvey; Mr. Toney J. Lister; Mr. Miles Loadholt; Mr. Robert N. McLellan; Mr. M. Wayne Staton; and Mr. Othniel H. Wienges, Jr.

Others present were: President John M. Palms; Secretary Thomas L. Stepp; Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs and Provost Jerome D. Odom; Vice President and Chief Operating Officer J. Lyles Glenn; Vice President for Business and Finance John L. Finan; Vice President for Human Resources Jane M. Jameson; Vice President for Development Charles D. Phlegar; Vice Provost and Executive Dean for Regional Campuses and Continuing Education Chris P. Plyler; Associate Provost and Dean of the Graduate School Marcia G. Welsh; Director of the Department of Internal Audit Alton McCoy; Professor in the Department of Instruction and Teacher Education, College of Education, Diane Stephens; Director of Public Affairs Russell McKinney; and representative from Media Relations Jason Snyder.

Chairman Hubbard called the meeting to order and invited those present to introduce themselves. Mr. Hubbard 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 of the Committee; and a quorum was present.

Dr. Odom presented the Governor's Institute on Reading program to be offered through the South Carolina State Department of Education and the USC College of Education. The University had encouraged the College of Education to reach out to teachers within the state. The State Department of Education, as well as the College of Education, would jointly work together on this literacy project, a three-year initiative that would begin in the summer 2000.

Dr. Odom stated the project would identify one person in each of the 86 school districts in the state who would come to Columbia in the summer for a three-week intensive course. The program included two courses for graduate credit which would be taught by four faculty members: two full-time professors and two part-time assistant professors in the College of Education. Dr. Odom stated that the teachers' tuition would be paid by the State Department of Education at $160.00 per teacher, per three hours of credit. The State Department of Education would also pay the teachers' housing and meal plan at the University. He reported that State Superintendent of Education, Inez M. Tenenbaum, was very enthusiastic about the program. The teachers would return to their school districts in August to present projects that they had developed over the course of the summer. Classes would also be delivered by distance education, by video tape, and by professors from the Columbia Campus.

Dr. Odom introduced Professor Diane Stephens from the College of Education, Department of Instruction and Teaching Education, who stated that the courses were being developed in conjunction with the National Council of Teachers of English (NCTE).

Mr. Whittle stated that the University should be proud of the curriculum. He expressed concerns with execution of the follow-up, such as the syllabus and attendance records when people returned to their respective areas. There should be proper monitoring of the program. Dr. Odom agreed and stated that Dr. Welsh, who was in charge of the Graduate Regional Studies reorganization and restructuring, would assure that the University implemented appropriate quality control.

Mr. Mungo stated that this was one of the most outstanding proposals he had read during his tenure on the Board. The proposal addressed educational needs which South Carolina needed most. Mr. Mungo stated that he hoped that this program would become an ongoing program in conjunction with the State Department of Education.

Mr. Mungo moved to approve the program of the Governor's Institute on Reading as outlined in the materials distributed. Mr. Bradley seconded. He endorsed the program and the opportunities that it offered. Mr. Bradley also said he was pleased that the State Department of Education had come to the University of South Carolina in this cooperative effort. Mr. Hubbard stated that the University should not be just a leader, but the leader for educational reform. This program was a powerful element in letting the State Department of Education know that the Board was very receptive to such an initiative. He expressed his hope that the College of Education would continue to be creative in developing additional opportunities.

Mr. Hubbard stated that Dr. Medway had written Senator Nicki Setzler a letter which outlined the accomplishments and programs of the University. This letter had been sent to Mr. Stepp for the Board's "Tuesday Mailing." Mr. Hubbard encouraged everyone to read it carefully.

Mr. Bradley asked if the approval of the program by the Executive Committee would be on behalf of the Board. Mr. McLellan questioned why the proposal had not been presented to the Academic Affairs Committee. It was Mr. McLellan's opinion that the Board's procedures should have been followed. It was explained that the urgent nature of the timing of the program and its fees was the reason the Executive Committee meeting had been called into session. Mr. Mungo responded that every effort should be made to inform the Chairman of the Academic Affairs and Faculty Liaison Committee of the action taken during this Executive Committee meeting. Mrs. Harvey was present, and she stated that there would be a meeting of the Academic Affairs and Faculty Liaison Committee at 3:00 p.m. (later in the day) and the program would be presented at that time. Mr. Hubbard suggested that the motion be amended so that the Executive Committee action would be contingent upon the approval by the Academic Affairs Committee.

Mr. Mungo stated that it was not appropriate, under the Board Bylaws, to allow another committee to have the authority to overrule the Executive Committee; he would not accept the suggested amendment to his motion. Mr. Hubbard suggested that the Executive Committee could take action subject to a full explanation to the Academic Affairs Committee. Mrs. Harvey stated, as Chair of the Academic Affairs Committee, that there would be no problem with the approval of the program. Mr. Hubbard stated that the College of Education would like to start the program in the summer, and time was of the essence. The Bylaws of the Board of Trustees allowed the Executive Committee to approve matters when there was a need for expedient action. Mr. Hubbard called for a vote on the motion to approve the proposal. It was understood that the proposal would be presented to the Academic Affairs Committee as a matter of information. The vote was taken, and the motion was carried.

There was no other business to be brought before the Executive Committee; therefore, the meeting was adjourned at 12:28 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,
Thomas L. Stepp
Secretary