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 Monday, December 18, 2000, at 9:30 a.m. in Room 250 of the Carolina Plaza.

Members present were: Mr. Mack I. Whittle, Jr., Chairman; Mr. Herbert C. Adams; Mr. James Bradley; Dr. C. Edward Floyd; and Mr. William C. Hubbard. Mr. Michael J. Mungo was absent. Other trustees present were: Mr. Samuel R. Foster, II; Mrs. Helen C. Harvey; Mr. Miles Loadholt; and Mr. M. Wayne Staton.

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 Student and Alumni Services Dennis A. Pruitt; Vice President for Human Resources Jane M. Jameson; General Counsel Walter (Terry) H. Parham; Interim Chancellor of USC Aiken Thomas L. Hallman; Director of Athletics Michael B. McGee; Director of Public Affairs Russell McKinney; and Public Information Coordinator, Office of Media Relations, Jason Snyder.

Chairman Whittle called the meeting to order and invited those present to introduce themselves. Mr. Snyder indicated that no representatives from the press 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.

There were personnel matters and a contractual matter appropriate for discussion in Executive Session. Chairman Whittle called for a motion to enter Executive Session. Mr. Adams so moved, and Mr. Bradley seconded the motion. The vote was taken, and the motion carried.

The following persons were asked to remain: Dr. Palms, Mr. Stepp, Dr. Odom, Mr. Glenn, Dr. Pruitt, Ms. Jameson, Mr. Parham, Dr. McGee, Mr. McKinney, Ms. Hyatt, and Ms. Tweedy.

Executive Session

Return to Open Session

1. Steps To Accomplishing Goals for 2005:
   Dr. Palms explained that these goals had been discussed by the administration and currently were being incorporated into the strategic plans of the various colleges and schools at the University. He further stated that he had presented these goals to several advisory committees, one of which had suggested adding the wording "improve communications and awareness to the alumni." Dr. Palms concluded by saying that he would report again to the Committee regarding the progress of implementing these goals.

2. Legislative Initiatives:
   Dr. Palms stated that Board members had received through the mail a projected list of the 2001 legislative priorities. Items included were major academic initiatives and capital projects important to USC's strategic plans. The list was prepared notwithstanding funding difficulties which faced the legislature.

   He told Committee members that the House Ways and Means Committee had questioned how the University would respond to a 5 percent, 10 percent or 15 percent budget cut, which he stressed would be totally unacceptable. Dr. Palms asked Committee members to encourage legislators, at the very least, to continue entertaining thoughts of exempting education, including higher education, from this process. He indicated all state higher education presidents would respond collectively in the same manner. In addition, Dr. Palms wanted to ensure that lottery money would serve the purpose for which Governor Hodges had originally campaigned. Chairman Whittle added that Board members have the information regarding University financial and legislative initiatives in January so that they could begin to discuss them with legislators as soon as possible, thereby enabling members to assume a more proactive role in accomplishing those initiatives.

   Dr. Floyd was very pleased with the list and suggested that an explanation of the need accompany each initiative added. He further encouraged the trustees to contact their respective local delegations. Dr. Palms explained that each need was drawn from the plan of a University academic unit or administrative office.

   Mr. Hubbard interjected that the word "alumni" could be easily inserted into the Public Awareness goal of the Goals for 2005 to "maximize efforts to inform the public, the General Assembly, and prospective students of the progress of USC." By doing so, he felt that the advisory committee concern addressed by Dr. Palms would be resolved.

   Mr. Hubbard also discussed the budget issue stating that there was "a flaw of the budget process that puts you in this particular circumstance." He stressed the need for Board members to assume an aggressive position, not a confrontational one, to ensure that education would advance to the next level. He felt that "we ought to do the things that get the public on our side in responding to these kinds of threats."

   Chairman Whittle suggested a proactive stance. He wanted legislators to be aware of the fact that cutting the University budget would ultimately affect delivery of the product. Dr. Palms said that the University report to the Ways and Means Committee indicated that the institution would sustain monumental cuts in personnel, particularly faculty, and class offerings, if faced with such cuts. They would, he stressed, have a devastating affect upon the future of higher education in the state.

3. Other Matters:

   1. Proposed Action Sports Media Contract, Athletic Department: Mr. Parham presented a proposed contract between the University and Action Sports Media. The duration of the contract would be a maximum of 18 years; the terms of the contract were outlined to the Committee in Executive Session on November 16, 2000, and further reviewed in Executive Session today.

      Mr. Hubbard moved approval of the contract. Mr. Adams seconded the motion with an amendment that the University would seek to negotiate a more frequent collection of revenues more often than annually. Mr. Hubbard accepted the amendment to the motion.

      The vote on the amended motion was taken, and the motion carried. Chairman Whittle requested that Mr. Parham report to the Executive Committee regarding the status of the negotiations at the next meeting.

   2. Signatory Authority for Issuance of Athletic Facility Revenue BANS Resolution:
      Mr. Parham stated that in October of this year the Executive Committee authorized the issuance of Series 2001 Athletics Facilities Revenue Bond Anticipation Notes in the sum of $12,775,000. Traditionally, the Vice President for Business and Finance, acting as the institution's chief financial officer, signed and executed bond documents on behalf of the University of South Carolina. Because this position was vacant, another signatory authority in addition to Mr. Stepp was needed on the bond documents. The resolution specifically authorized, for this issuance only, Chief Executive Officer J. Lyles Glenn to sign the notes in addition to Mr. Stepp.

      Mr. Bradley moved approval of the resolution. Mr. Adams seconded the motion. The vote was taken, and the motion carried.

   3. Amendment to Goals for 2005:
      Mr. Hubbard moved to add the word "alumni" to the Goals for 2005. The revised goal would read, "Maximize efforts to inform the public, the General Assembly, prospective students, and alumni of the progress of USC." Mr. Adams seconded the motion. The vote was taken, and the motion carried.

   4. Burroughs and Chapin Project:
      Dr. Floyd called attention to an article in the newspaper regarding the Burroughs and Chapin project. He felt that it was a very important project for the University and that the Committee should discuss this topic in Executive Session during the next Executive Committee meeting.

      Chairman Whittle asked to make a statement. He observed that everyone was probably aware of Carolina First's interest in this project for several years. He stated emphatically that he had been very open with the administration and that he had never met with Burroughs and Chapin to discuss anything related to the University. Chairman Whittle also stressed the fact that no one from that organization had approached him, nor presented any formal proposal to the full Board or any Board committee. If something was presented, he would immediately recuse himself from all proceedings and voting.

      Dr. Palms added that any prior University discussions had involved the possibility of developing a technology park. He encouraged committee members to direct all press inquiries to the President's Office. Dr. Floyd again iterated that committee members should be fully informed about this matter; Mrs. Harvey amended this request to include the full Board.

There were no other matters to come before the Committee, and Chairman Whittle declared the meeting adjourned at 10:15 a.m.

Respectfully submitted,
Thomas L. Stepp
Secretary