BOARD OF TRUSTEES FOR FRANCIS MARION UNIVERSITY
Francis Marion University
Freshwater Ecology Conference Center
Thursday, August 4, 2022 – 3:00 pm – 4:21 pm

Presiding:
Mr. Robert E. Lee, Chair

Present:
Mr. Jody Bryson
Mr. William W. Coleman, Jr.
Mr. H. Paul Dove, Jr.
Dr. H. Randall Dozier
Mr. R. Tracy Freeman
Mr. William Edward Gunn (by Zoom)
Mrs. Patricia C. Hartung
Mr. Kenneth W. Jackson
Mr. Stephen N. Jones
Ms. Karen A. Leatherman
Mr. George C. McIntyre
Mr. Mark S. Moore
Dr. J. Kevin O’Kelly

Others Present:
Dr. Mark Blackwell, Vice Chair of the Faculty and Professor of Philosophy and Religious Studies
Mr. Darryl Bridges, Vice President for Finance and Facilities
Dr. Fred Carter, President
Dr. Courtney Clayton, Dean of the School of Education
Mr. Lee Daugherty, Director of Alumni Affairs and Annual Giving
Mr. Ralph Davis, Director of Facilities Management
Mr. Chris Day, Morning News Reporter
Mr. Larry Falck, Director of Multimedia Services
Dr. Karen Fries, Secretary of the Faculty and Associate Professor of Education
Dr. Karen Gittings, Dean of the School of Health Sciences
Mr. Murray Hartzler, Director of Athletics
Dr. Christopher Kennedy, Vice President for Student Life
Dr. Peter King, Provost
Dr. Jennifer Kunka, Associate Provost for Advising and Professor of English
Mr. Alfonso Leggett, Student Government Association President
Dr. Sharon O’Kelley, Chair of the Faculty and Associate Professor of Mathematics
Dr. Hari Rajagopalan, Dean of the School of Business and Professor of Marketing
Dr. Cheri Richardson, Director of Institutional Planning
Mrs. Elizabeth Shefton, Executive Assistant to the President
Mrs. Allison Steadman, Associate Provost and Associate Professor of Theatre Arts – Costume Design
Mr. John Sweeney, Vice President of Communications
Dr. Charlene Wages, Vice President for Administration and Planning
Ms. Demetra Walker, Dean of the Library
Dr. Alissa Warters, Vice President for Enrollment Management
Ms. Kayla Wilson, Special Programs Coordinator for Education Foundation

Mr. Lee called the meeting to order at 3:00 pm, and then he asked Mrs. Shefton to call the roll.  Mr. Lee then stated for the record that media notification was made in accordance with the Freedom of Information Act, and that a quorum was present.

Mr. Lee brought the minutes of the June 23, 2022 meeting before the board for approval.  Mr. Coleman made a motion that the minutes be approved, and Mr. Freeman seconded the motion.  The minutes received unanimous approval by the board.

Executive Affairs Committee:

Dr. Dozier reported that the Executive Affairs Committee met and no action was taken.

Academic Affairs and Accreditation Committee:

Mr. Dove gave the following report from the committee meeting:

  • For the fall, there are 17 new full-time faculty members.
  • The Office of Admissions has hosted 11 orientations and there are two remaining for this summer.
  • Recruiting efforts for Fall 2022 will continue through the end of the first week of classes.  Final enrollment numbers will be available after the end of the drop/add period, once Fall classes begin.
  • A total of 615 students (479 undergraduate students and 136 graduate students) graduated during the 2021-2022 academic year.
  • FMU hosted 9 international exchange students from France, Germany, Ireland, and the UK for this school year.
  • FMU faculty visited the University of Burgos, in Spain, and the University of West Indies, Cave Hill in Barbados, for the completion of an exchange agreement between the universities.
  • FMU joined the International Association of Universities, headquartered in Paris, and university representatives will attend their 16th Annual General Conference this October in Dublin.
  • The College of Liberal Arts have elected three new department chairs.
  • The Speech-Language Pathology program graduated their first class, which means they are now eligible to be reviewed for accreditation.
  • The Rogers Library has undergone some renovations, which included new carpet and furniture.

Mr. Dove concluded his report.

Development and Alumni Committee:

Mr. McIntyre gave the following report from the committee meeting:

Foundation:

  • The Education Foundation will host Doug’s Day on October 6th at the Performing Arts Center.
  • The Foundation received the following gifs:
    • Anonymous scholarship donation of $100,000.
    • Rob and Shannon Ardis STEM Endowed Scholarship
  • Steven F. Gately Gallery will be hosting an exhibit by Amiri Farris and Samantha Mack titled “Converge” on August 3rd.
  • The Performing Arts Center will host the following events:
    • The Fabulous Thunderbirds on August 19th
    • Josh Turner on September 29th
    • Florence Symphony Orchestra presents “Titan” on October 10th
    • Jim Messina on October 15th
  • The Center for the Child maintains steady enrollment numbers.
  • Local Government Leadership Institute first session will begin on October 5th and is at maximum capacity.
  • The Fred R. Sheheen Non-Profit Leadership Institute begins on September 15th and is also at full capacity.

Alumni:

  • Alumni Affairs and the Admissions Office will co-sponsor a new student reception at the Gately Gallery on August 9th.
  • The Biology Alumni Reception that was scheduled for October 4th will be moved to the Spring.
  • Dates are being finalized for Fall alumni events.

Mr. McIntyre concluded his report.

Finance and Facilities Committee:

Mr. Jones gave the following report from the committee meeting:

Finance:

  • Based off of the FY 2021-22 Operating Fund Year-End Review, the university finished the year in a strong financial position.
  • Accounting is in the process of closing out the 2021-2022 books; but it was noted that expense came in well below revenues.

Facilities:

  • Paving work will begin on campus early fall and will continue for the next 24 months.
  • Construction will begin this winter for the new School of Business and School of Education building.
  • Barnes and Noble is getting ready to assume operations of the bookstore.

Mr. Jones concluded his report.

Student Life and Athletics Committee:

Ms. Leatherman gave the following report from the committee meeting:

Student Government Association:

  • SGA is looking to make future outreach more inviting for more students to get involved.
  • Fall elections will have three students running for SGA President.
  • The food pantry and clothes closet is fulfilling a big need with students.

Student Life:

  • Housing opens for students on August 19th.
  • The annual First Friday Festival will be held on August 16th from 6:00pm to 10pm.  There will be live music, rides, games and food trucks.
  • Appreciation was given to Student Health and the COVID Response Office for the way they have managed the process.  Numbers continue to be the lowest in the state among our sister institutions.

Athletics:

  • 89 student athletes will move in over the weekend.
  • The state did away with the image and likeness policy.
  • Bids for the renovations of the Smith University Center have to be in by September 1st and decisions on the company will be made on September 8th.
  • Women’s tennis had four student athletes named to the Division 2 Scholar Athletics list.
  • Volleyball, for the sixth time, earned a team academic award presented by the American Volleyball Coaches Association.
  • For the ninth consecutive year, we have earned all-academic team award from the Golf Coaches Association of America.
  • 113 FMU student athletes were named to the Conference Carolinas Presidential Honor Roll for Spring 2022.

Ms. Leatherman concluded her report.

President’s Report:

Dr. Carter made the following comments during his report:

  • A formal welcome was extended to Dr. Sharon O’Kelley as the new Chair of the Faculty and appreciation was expressed to Professor Glen Gourley for all of his work over the last five years.
  • Recognition was given to Dr. Mark Blackwell for all his efforts with the international exchange programs.
  • The university is ready to start up the semester.  The COVID office is prepared to be fully operational, providing testing and vaccine clinics, for the Fall semester.
  • Appreciation was expressed to the trustees for naming the Dr. John G. Rae III Freshwater Ecology Center and the Teresa McDuffie Computer Lab.
  • Over the next four years, we will be constructing $78 million worth of facilities.
  • The Campus Development Plan 2022-2027 will come back to the board at the November meeting as a formal agenda adoption item.

Dr. Carter concluded his report.

Unfinished Business:
None

New Business:
None

Executive Session:

Mr. Lee asked that a motion be made for the board to go into Executive Session.  The motion was made by Mr. Jackson and seconded by Mr. McIntyre.  The board gave unanimous approval to go into Executive Session.

After the discussion was complete, Mr. Lee asked that a motion be made for the board to be brought out of Executive Session.  Mr. Jackson made the motion, and Mr. McIntyre seconded the motion.  Mr. Lee stated that no action was taken by the board during the session.

Mr. Lee adjourned the meeting at 4:21 pm.

Respectfully Submitted,

Floyd L. Keels
Secretary