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 Student-Trustee Liaison Committee of the University of South Carolina Board of Trustees met at 1:00 p.m. on Thursday, September 14, 2000, in Room 107-C, of the Osborne Administration Building.

Members present were: Mr. Arthur S. Bahnmuller, Chairman; Mr. Alexander English via telephone; Mr. A. C. Fennell, III; Mr. Samuel R. Foster, II; Mr. Toney J. Lister; Mr. Miles Loadholt; Mr. Robert N. McLellan; Mr. John C. von Lehe, Jr., via telephone; and Mr. William C. Hubbard, Board Chairman.

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 Human Resources Jane M. Jameson; Vice President for Student and Alumni Services Dennis A. Pruitt; Vice President and Executive Dean for Regional Campuses and Continuing Education, Chris P. Plyler; General Counsel Walter (Terry) H. Parham; Associate Vice Provost for Regional Campuses and Continuing Education, Carolyn A. West; Professor and SACS accreditation Director Daniel D. Barron; Director of Student Life Jerry T. Brewer, Director, Academic and Student Support Services, Regional Campuses and Continuing Education David Hunter; Director of Public Relations Chip McKinney; and representative from Media Relations Jason Snyder.

Student Government Association (SGA) representatives present were: USC Aiken SGA President Jason Stapleton; USC Beaufort SGA: President Karen Westhead and Vice President Elizabeth Connelly; USC Columbia SGA: President Jotaka Eaddy, Vice President Corey Ford, Treasurer Ricky Shah, and representative Brooke Vickery; USC Lancaster SGA: President Jamaal Craig, Vice President Linda Mingo, Secretary Elizabeth Hodge, Treasurer J. T. Crossland, and SGA representatives Christie Gray and Rosie Taylor; USC Salkehatchie SGA: President Amy S. Hiott, Vice President Rebecca Sanders, Secretary Melanie Dobson, SGA Advisor Erin Rayman; USC Spartanburg SGA President Ida Anderson; USC Sumter SGA: President Erin Lees, Chair Sophia Cornell, and representatives Melissa Felder, Elizabeth Costello, Sophie Cornell and Linwood Locker; and USC Union SGA President Jason Gregory.

Chairman Bahnmuller called the meeting to order and welcomed those present. He noted that no members of the media were present. Chairman Bahnmuller stated that notice of the meeting had been posted and the press had been notified of the meeting as required by the Freedom of Information Act; the agenda had been circulated to the Committee; and a quorum was present.

1. Introductions of Student Leadership Representatives: Chairman

   Bahnmuller asked the students who were present to introduce themselves and to state which campus they represented.

2. Reports from Student Government Associations:
   • USC Aiken: Mr. Stapleton reported that USC Aiken had fall elections to fill vacant senate seats. He stated that their retreat would be held in Charleston during the upcoming weekend to set goals and plan events for the year.

     USC Aiken students were involved with the recycling program for the campus, increasing security in the parking lots with emergency call boxes, and trying to secure full funding for the convocation center.

     Mr. Stapleton reported that the Search Committee to replace retired Chancellor Robert Alexander had pared the applicants to ten candidates, hoped to reduce that list to three, and would forward those recommendations to Dr. Palms. Mr. Stepp commended Mr. Stapleton on his very active, hard work and participation in the Aiken Chancellor Search Committee.

     Mr. Stapleton reported USC Aiken had fifty active organizations on campus and the enrollment had increased five percent to create the largest freshman class in USC Aiken's history.

   • USC Beaufort: Ms. Westhead reported that the USC Beaufort campus was excited about ongoing renovation to a Beaufort campus building which was over 150 years. In addition, ground breaking had begun for the first facility on the New River Site. It was hoped that this construction would help the campus expand from a two year college to a four year college.

     Ms. Westhead reported that enrollment had increased 7.4 percent this year due to a very large freshman class. The student body was involved in several activities which included a Welcome Back party. The students were excited about re-publishing The Shrimp, the former campus newspaper which had not been published in a number of years. The newspaper would be located on a website to allow the Beaufort campus, the Hilton Head campus, and both military bases to have access to it and to allow interaction among the facilities. A spring Job Fair was planned with businesses coming from Georgia and Florida to participate. All student organizations would participate monthly at a joint meeting to coordinate the campus activities. An education club had been formed by the Education Department so that its students would feel more aligned to one another.

   • USC Columbia: Ms. Vickery reported on the drop date extension initiative. A research and development team had researched Association of American Universities (AAU) schools and peer institutions to obtain information about their drop dates. Student Government was trying to have the drop date extended for a variety of reasons and had asked for support by collecting signatures from students, student organizations, and faculty.

     Ms. Vickery reported on the "Service 101" class which would start in the spring. The proposal was written and a meeting was scheduled to discuss logistics. Various nonprofit organizations had agreed to partner with the University and to provide opportunities for the class.

     Safety was an issue on campus, and the operational hours of the Shuttlecock were extended until 12:30 a.m. Student Government was trying to secure a "student section" at basketball games to support the team, and a meeting had been scheduled with the Athletics Department to discuss the proposed section.

     A student voter registration drive was underway hopefully to register 5,000 students. Student Government had been working with parking issues and had encouraged fridays to become Garnet & Black Days to increase school spirit for the football team.

   • USC Lancaster: Mr. Craig reported that the school year had started with a Back-to-School Bash picnic. USC Lancaster held its annual convocation, which was a success, and a blood drive. Various other community service projects were planned including a Learning Fair on September 28 and a Fall Food Drive in October to collect canned goods for needy people during the holidays. Rotaract, a second year student organization for business students, had been revived and would be very instrumental to the school's business program.

     Mr. Craig concluded that the addition of the James Bradley Arts and Science Building had increased the enrollment at USC Lancaster.

   • USC Salkehatchie: Ms. Sanders reported that during the summer, students participated in Relay for Life in both Allendale and Walterboro which raised over $3,000 and in the watermelon festival parade in Hampton. The executive members of Student Government assisted with orientation for all new students. Back-to-School Kickoff lunches were held which gave the student body a chance to meet the candidates running for Student Government offices, and a carnival was held after the convocation. Plans for the fall included participation in the Lunch Buddy program in the elementary schools. Students were excited about the completion of the water garden and the deck which overlooked the courtyard at the Walterboro campus as well as the entrepreneurial development center project underway on the Allendale campus. USC Salkehatchie had worked with many community and local government organizations to stimulate small businesses by providing training in areas such as marketing, research, counseling, and other basic business incubation projects.

   • USC Spartanburg: Ms. Anderson stated that USC Spartanburg had a new student email system which would enable better communications between the students and the SGA Office. A policy advisory board would be established from the SGA office. USC Spartanburg had hired three minority faculty and staff in the departments of communication, disability service, and the business school.

     USC Spartanburg hoped for approval of a wellness fitness center which would be funded through student activity fees and private donations in the approximate amount of $8 million dollars. The project would be a great asset to the students both physically and socially.

     Ms. Anderson asked if there was a difference in football ticket prices for USC Spartanburg students and for USC Columbia students? Mr. Hunter explained that USC Columbia full-time students paid an activity fee that afforded them the right to try to obtain tickets to athletic events. The non-Columbia campuses requested group tickets to sell to their students, but there were no individual sales to students on the non-Columbia campuses because of high demand.

     There was discussion regarding the feasibility of non-Columbia campuses to reorder tickets prior to games, and Dr. Pruitt explained that after season tickets sales were completed and other campuses' requests were filled, the Athletics Department sold the remaining tickets through group sales leaving no tickets available.

   • USC Sumter: Ms. Cornell reported that USC Sumter had completed several activities such as the Ice Cream Scream and a Barbeque Social. USC Sumter would hold SGA elections soon, and Ms. Cornell stated that she hoped to be re-elected. The campus planned to have a town meeting with the dean and a Halloween carnival for the children in the community. Ms. Cornell was pleased with the beginning of the semester and hoped it would continue in like fashion.

   • USC Union: Mr. Gregory reported that student government was focused on the students, the community, the school and SGA. Student involvement was very low, but he hoped to publicize all the events that were planned. USC Union would establish an Honor Society to bring dignity to the school, would go into the community to publish a paper, and would bring Jeff and the Hardy Boys to the school in the spring.

     The SGA had recently opened its new office and were trying to replace the concrete benches with wooden benches from the proceeds of the Hardy Boys' appearance on campus. USC Union planned a Thanksgiving dinner for faculty, staff, and students to fellowship together.

     Mr. Bahnmuller said he felt that USC Union would be successful with Mr. Gregory as its SGA President.

     Mr. Hubbard commented that during his fourteen years on the Board each time he heard from SGAs they seemed to be the most articulate, well-planned group of student representatives that he had heard. The University had plans to be a great University, but it was only as good as its student body. Mr. Hubbard stated that each of the student representatives who had just spoken made the Board of Trustees proud. Chairman Bahnmuller agreed.

     Dr. Pruitt then asked Ms. Eaddy and Mr. Ford, who joined the meeting in progress at the conclusion of their class, to introduce themselves. Mr. Hubbard interjected that during the University's recent appearance before City Council to discuss campus beautification and the crosswalk projects, Ms. Eaddy represented the students and the University excellently, and he thanked her.

3. Report on Parents Weekend: Mr. Brewer reported that during the Parents' Weekend, nine hundred families would register. The University had begun to advertise the weekend; many student organizations would sponsor activities, and individual colleges would have parents visiting the campus.

   The weekend would include highlights such as a party to welcome the parents and students given by Dr. and Mrs. Palms on Friday afternoon, a 5K run on Saturday morning, a tour with the Department of Tourism on Saturday, and a tailgate party on the practice field before the football game.

4. Spirit of the Carolinian: Dr. Pruitt asked the students to refrain from tearing down the goal posts and stated that the University would appreciate their cooperation. After the game, the football team would salute the students at the student section.

   Dr. Pruitt then explained a unique program that was planned to bring national attention to the University of South Carolina and to display what it meant to be a "Carolinian," especially since the tenth anniversary of the Carolinian Creed was approaching.

   The program would occur the following year during the Bicentennial and was called the "Search for Six." The plan was for the students at the University to identify six international individuals who best resembled the characteristics of what it meant to be a Carolinian as displayed in the Carolinian Creed. There would be six categories: 1) arts, entertainment, pop culture, and sports; 2) business industry, science technology, and medicine; 3) education, literature, and media; 4) politics, law, world figures, and government; 5) religion; and 6) alumni. Students in teams would work together with student organizations and academic departments to identify individuals; winners would be selected by a vote of the student body.

   Once the winners were selected, the University would do everything possible, over the course of the Bicentennial year, to have the six individuals come to Carolina to speak, be recognized, and be honored. In the event that an individual could not come to Carolina, an exhibit would be created in his or her honor and displayed in the Russell House.

   An organizational meeting was scheduled for September 28, 2000, which would involve students, student organizations, and academic departments. Dr. Pruitt added that material would be distributed to each campus about the "Search for Six" and participation from all campuses was welcomed.

5. SACS Reaccreditation: Dr. Odom reported that during the next year USC Columbia and the regional campuses would proceed through the reaccreditation process by the Southern Accreditation for Colleges and Schools (SACS) which occurred every ten years. This reaccreditation would occur April 1-5, 2001.

   The University received permission to use the "alternative method of reaffirmation" which would involve the entire University community in the important topic of information technology. The reaffirmation was divided into two parts. The first part was institutional effectiveness whereby the University would respond to a series of SACS statements. Dr. Peter Becker, retired faculty member from the History Department, would handle that part. Dr. Odom then introduced Dr. Dan Barron, a faculty member from the College of Library and Information Science, who was handling the second part.

   Dr. Barron said 17 task-forces had been established to focus on information technology; approximately 130-140 students, faculty, and staff on the Columbia campus and the five regional campuses were involved. There was also an 18 member team called the Writing and Oversight Team which would represent the entire University and five regional campuses.

   The reports of the task-forces, which were available on the Internet, explained how information technology could help future undergraduate students and what types of infrastructure might be available. The task-forces wanted to hold a series of open forums in the fall for the faculty to attend. A series of focus groups would be held for students, and their participation was encouraged.

   Dr. Barron explained the importance of being accredited by SACS and that the accreditation required the University to respond to the 485 "Must Statements." Dr. Barron felt positive that Dr. Becker's report would pass with minor recommendations which were expected and would help in perfecting the University. The report would establish not a goal, but a platform, for the next step. It would explain that the University wanted to position itself to use information technology for teaching, learning, scholarships, and community service.

   The Student Advisory Council for SACS was organized in collaboration with Student Government to provide input to Information Technology (IT). The student body and the faculty in Columbia and at the regional campuses would be asked to review the reports, determine the current involvement, read the SACS literature, review the accomplishments of the University's aspirant peers, and determine what the University needed and wanted. A report would then be submitted in the spring for consideration by five consultants yet to be determined. The consultants would be leaders in business, industry, and higher education; would be leaders in the area of information technology; and would represent the Carolinian Creed. They would make suggestions as to what the University needed to become a leading, excellent University in the application of IT and what it would take to accomplish that objective.

   Dr. Barron noted that it was important to include faculty who would bring content to technology applications and to include students who used it. He encouraged everyone to review the reports and to become involved in the series of open forums which would be held in Columbia and at the regional campuses.

   Chairman Bahnmuller said the report was received for information.

6. Regional Campus Academic Curricular Programs: Dr. Plyler addressed the students who were present. He said that his office was located on the fifth floor of the Carolina Plaza on the Columbia campus and was for the regional campuses. If students from the regional campuses needed a parking place, a computer, a place to study, a phone, or anything else when in Columbia, his department would be available to help.

   The Division of Regional Campuses and Continuing Education worked daily with the University offices, faculty, and administration on the Columbia campus on behalf of the regional campuses. His division was the conduit between the regional campuses and the Columbia campus. His office had a full support staff that was in contact with the regional campuses every day, on every issue, regarding the operations of the campuses.

   Dr. Plyler said that it was not necessary for courses from the regional campuses to transfer to the Columbia campus because the regional campuses were a part of the University of South Carolina, and the students were part of the University of South Carolina.

   He emphasized that the regional campuses were accredited with the Columbia campus and the courses were the same. Advisors on the regional campus or the Columbia campus could help students. He also said that the students should consult their catalogs to determine if courses applied in a particular major or professional school. Entry into any college, school, or particular program was the same for regional campus students as it was for Columbia campus students. Regional campus students did not pay the Columbia student's activities fees, but they were eligible to use the library.

   Dr. Plyler said that because enrollment was up on the campuses, there was a scheduling problem which had been occurring for three semesters. He stated that Friday classes would be re-instituted on four regional campuses; Sumter already had Friday classes. The implementation of Friday classes would begin in spring 2001.

   The next day, the Regional Campuses Faculty Senate would meet at the Darla Moore School of Business to discuss issues which ultimately affect the students. The issues were recommended through Dr. Plyler's office to the Provost, President, and Board of Trustees. Dr. Plyler concluded that the University was working for its students.

7. Other Matters:
   • Donation to the College of Engineering and Information Technology: Dr. Palms told the Committee of a $6.3 million gift from NCR Corporation and Wal-Mart Stores, Inc., which was announced earlier that same day. This acquisition of computer hardware and software would enable the engineering and retailing students at the University to study data warehousing technology.

   • Statewide Center for Information Technology: The South Carolina Commission on Higher Education had requested a bid to establish a statewide center for information technology and computing which would reach all of the campuses. The three research universities would write the proposal together.

   Dr. Palms thanked the students for their enthusiasm and their attendance at the meeting. He commended their involvement at the University.

   Chairman Bahnmuller reminded the students that they have a Trustee representative on the Board. The trustees were there to serve the students, and they would be glad to help.

   There being no further business to come before the Committee, Chairman Bahnmuller declared the meeting adjourned at 2:00 p.m.

   Respectfully submitted,

   Thomas L. Stepp

   Secretary