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, October 17, 2002, at 12:35 p.m. in Ballroom C of the Russell House.
Members present were: Mr. Mack I. Whittle, Jr., Chairman; Mr. Herbert C. Adams, Vice Chairman; Mr. James Bradley; and Mr. Michael J. Mungo. Members absent were: Dr. C. Edward Floyd and Mr. William C. Hubbard. Other Trustees present were: Mr. Arthur S. Bahnmuller; Mr. Toney J. Lister; Ms. Darla D. Moore; Mr. James A. Shuford, III; Mr. M. Wayne Staton; Mr. John C. von Lehe, Jr.; and Mr. Othniel H. Wienges, Jr.
Others present were: President Andrew A. Sorensen; Secretary Thomas L. Stepp; Vice President and Chief Financial Officer Richard W. Kelly; Vice President for Information Technology and Chief Information Officer William F. Hogue; Vice President for Human Resources Jane M. Jameson; Vice President for Student and Alumni Services and Interim Vice President for Development Dennis A. Pruitt; Interim Vice President for Research and Dean of The Norman J. Arnold School of Public Health Harris Pastides; Legal Counsel Walter (Terry) H. Parham; Vice Provost and Executive Dean for Regional Campuses and Continuing Education Chris P. Plyler; Chancellor of USC Aiken Thomas L. Hallman; Dean of USC Beaufort Jane T. Upshaw; Dean of USC Lancaster John Catalano; Dean of USC Sumter C. Leslie Carpenter; Dean of USC Salkehatchie Ann Carmichael; Dean of USC Union James W. Edwards; Dean of the College of Hospitality, Retail, and Sport Management Patricia G. Moody; Dean of the College of Pharmacy Farid Sadik; Interim Dean of the College of Social Work Leon Ginsberg; Associate Dean of the College of Liberal Arts John V. Skvoretz; Acting Associate Dean of the College of Hospitality, Retail, and Sport Management, Donald E. Stowe; Assistant Treasurer Susan D. Hanna; Director of Student Life, Division of Student and Alumni Services, Jerry T. Brewer; Professor, School of Law, and Chair of the Faculty Senate Robert M. Wilcox; Director of the Office of Budget William P. Bragdon; Assistant to the Vice President, Office of Business and Finance, Ken Corbett; Manager of Visual Media, Distance Education and Instructional Support, Steve Adams; Librarian for Administrative Services, University Libraries, C.J. Cambre, Jr.; President of the Student Government Association Ankit Patel; Chief of Staff of the Student Government Association Andrew L. Richardson, Jr.; Institutional Affairs Director, Student Government Association, Jessica Steadman; President of Carolina Productions, Russell House University Union, David Schroder; Palm Campus Ministry Chaplain Scooter Scott; Bond Counsel Brent Jeffcoat and Ray Jones of Parker, Poe Adams & Berstein, L.L.P.; University Legislative Liaison John Gregory; Director of the Office of Public Affairs Russell McKinney; and members of the media.
Chairman Whittle called the meeting to order and invited Board members to introduce themselves. Mr. McKinney introduced members of the media who were in attendance. Chairman Whittle 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 members of the Committee; and a quorum was present to conduct business.
Chairman Whittle called on Secretary Stepp who stated that information regarding the appointment of two additional individuals to the Board of Visitors had been mailed with the materials for this meeting. Mr. Long had nominated Elizabeth Harris to represent the 4th Judicial Circuit; the Faculty Senate had elected Dr. Sarah Wise from the College of Hospitality, Retail, and Sport Management to represent the University faculty.
Mr. Bradley moved approval of the appointments of Ms. Elizabeth Harris and Dr. Sarah Wise to the Board of Visitors as presented. Mr. Adams seconded the motion. The vote was taken, and the motion carried.
Chairman Whittle recognized Mr. Parham who explained that on October 30, 2000, Thomas Cooper Library had contracted with ScienceDirect to receive on-line access to various science journals which allowed faculty to conduct research from their offices rather than from the Library. At the same time, the University also purchased these journals in paper form for inclusion in the Library.
For economic reasons and because on-line usage of the science journals had proven successful, the Library had decided to cancel its paper subscriptions and contract with ScienceDirect to receive all of these journals through the Internet.
The term of the contract extended until December 31, 2003 for a total cost of $685,205. This figure represented approximately a 17.5 percent savings ($149,255) if the Library had continued to buy the paper version of these journals.
Mr. Mungo moved approval of the renewal of the ScienceDirect contract as described in the materials distributed for this meeting. Mr. Bradley seconded the motion. The vote was taken, and the motion carried.
At this time, Chairman Whittle recognized Mr. Ankit Patel, Student Government Association President, who presented the proposed student activity fee increase proposal. Mr. Patel indicated that the student activity fee increase proposal had been previously discussed during the June Board of Trustees meeting. In order to formalize the request process, Mr. Patel had presented this proposal for approval during the September 13, 2002, Student-Trustee Liaison Committee. Executive Committee approval of the fee increase would continue the process toward Board consideration. He explained that the $20 increase would be distributed as follows: $10 for Carolina Productions; $3 for late night programming; $2 for student government; and $5 for a Russell House University Union maintenance fund.
Mr. Bradley moved approval of the proposed student fee increase as presented. Mr. Adams seconded the motion. The vote was taken, and the motion carried.
Chairman Whittle called on Mr. Kelly who requested Executive Committee approval to refund and refinance the Athletics Facilities Bond Anticipation Notes (BANS) issued on February 20, 2002 which would mature on November 20, 2002. The 2003 Notes will mature to coincide with the maturity of the University's $7 million Athletic Facilities Revenue Bond Anticipation Notes, Series 2002A which had been issued on March 19, 2002 and would mature on March 19, 2003.
Mr. Mungo moved approval of the Athletics Facilities Revenue Bond Anticipation Notes Resolution as presented. Mr. Adams seconded the motion. The vote was taken, and the motion carried.
Chairman Whittle thanked Mr. McLellan for deferring one honorary faculty title from the Academic Affairs and Faculty Liaison Committee to the Executive Committee so that this request could be handled in a timely manner.
Chairman Whittle recognized Secretary Stepp who stated that a request to award Professor Susan C. Towery the honorary faculty title of Emerita Professor concurrent with her retirement on September 15, 2002 had been mailed with the materials for this meeting.
Mr. Mungo moved approval of the honorary faculty title for Professor Susan C. Towery as presented. Mr. Bradley seconded the motion. The vote was taken, and the motion carried.
Since there were no other matters to come before the Committee, Chairman Whittle declared the meeting adjourned at 12:45 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Thomas L. Stepp
Secretary